Since the original video games Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan in 1996, Pokémon has become an industry all of its own, with it launching lucrative enterprises in television, film, trading cards, toys and fashion among many others. Their instantly-recognisable critters have been a staple of the lives of children worldwide (and a great many adults) since Pokémon fever truly set in at the turn of the millennium, with no sign of it ebbing away.

While the video games are well-known for their iconic soundtracks, ranging from the Game Boy’s chirpy melodies to the modern era’s magical high-definition soundscapes, The Pokémon Company has also forged relations with many stars from the world of music. The franchise marked its 25th anniversary in 2021 with the P25 Music program, producing a full album with an international selection of guest performances by Katy Perry, Post Malone, Mabel, Jax Jones, J Balvin and others. Their collaboration with self-confessed lifelong Pokémon fan Ed Sheeran yielded single ‘Celestial’, which was used for the end credits in 2022 games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Kicking off their 30th year, in February Pokémon bought a Superbowl advert slot, reportedly costing an average of $8 million for a 30-second feature, which they used for a trailer of celebrities interviewed about their favourites from the roster of more than a thousand creatures. Pop-superstar Lady Gaga won hearts with her selection of the Pokémon Jigglypuff, and BLACKPINK’s JISOO chose the franchise mascot Eevee. The month also saw them partner with London’s Natural History Museum for exhibits and a pop-up shop, as well as the launch of a Game Boy jukebox, which played tracks from Pokémon Red and Blue’s scores.

This week they announced ‘Pokémon Night Out’, a one-of-a-kind clash of Pokémon, EDM and illumination, targeting adults who grew up with their media. Their two events at Los Angeles’s Intuit Dome and London’s O2 Arena this autumn will be “the ultimate fusion of electronic dance music (EDM) and the vast and eclectic world of Pokémon, curated for audiences seeking a deeper connection with the brand.” They also describe it as “an unforgettable musical experience for attendees, featuring cutting-edge technology and animation to bring Pokémon to life in ways you’ve never seen before.”

Musical entertainment for both shows come courtesy of Alison Wonderland and headliner Marshmello. American DJ Marshmello did a Q&A video to promote the gigs, and when asked why he chose to sign up he said “honestly, I grew up with Pokémon, and when you guys asked me to do this, especially on the 30th anniversary, it’s just such an honour, and I’m just so excited to be a part of that.” He then hints that he will be playing “a very special, very curated unique set for everybody there.” Most importantly, he claims that his favourite Pokémon is Mewtwo, one of 1990s cinema’s most iconic villains.

‘Pokémon Night Out’ Los Angeles is on the 24th of October, with the London date at the O2 falling on the 10th of November. Tickets for London go on sale at 10AM local-time on Friday the 17th of April, through the O2’s website. Also in the announcement were their ‘Days Out’ events, which they call an immersive, “more family-focused celebration” – these will be happening in New York City, Dresden, Bordeaux and Mexico City this summer.