You've played the game -- now put yourself right in the middle of things when the Rock Band Live tour heads to UCF Arena tonight.
The phenomenon that is the Rock Band interactive game series launched a countrywide tour in October and will feature headliners Panic at the Disco and Dashboard Confessional. The tour will be supported by other acts like Plain White T's and the Cab.
"Rock Band Live brings together a terrific combination of artists for a night of rock 'n' roll love," said Paul DeGooyer, MTV's senior vice president of Electronic Games and Music in a press release to announce the tour. "The bands are fantastic; the timing dovetails perfectly with the release of 'Rock Band 2,' and the events will be tons of interactive fun for families."
With a recently released album (March's "Pretty. Odd.") and a starring role in the new "Rock Band 2" game released in September, Panic at the Disco's Brandon Urie is enjoying his association with the tour.
"We're huge fans of 'Rock Band' and feel honored to join the 'Rock Band 2' game disc set list with some of our favorite artists like The Who, Bob Dylan and Journey," he said. "And what better way to celebrate our involvement with the game than joining the first Rock Band tour?"
But concertgoers won't just be listening to their favorite music; they can be playing it as well.
Starting at 6 p.m., ticket holders can take part in "Rock Band" competitions going head to head against other fans. The competition will continue until a winner is crowned.
And the grand prize? The opportunity to wail on stage between the two headlining acts in your own "Rock Band" set list.
But the competition for the opportunity to play could be mighty stiff.
"I'm practicing my 'Rock Band' drumming," said Dashboard Confessional frontman Chris Carrabba. "With any luck I'll win a spot on stage to show what I can really do."
And when the concert is over, there is no need to let the fun end. Bring the music of the Rock Band Live tour home with you to play along with.
Harmonix and MTV Games, the makers of the best-selling games, celebrated the kick-off of the tour with a Rock Band Live 2008 tour pack available for download to your favorite game system.
The pack includes Panic at the Disco's "She's a Handsome Woman," Dashboard Confessional's "Hands Down," Plain White T's "Natural Disaster," and the Cab's "One of THOSE Nights."
The four-pack track list is available for $6.99 or on a per-track basis for $1.99.
If You Go
WHAT: Rock Band Live tour featuring Dashboard Confessional and Panic at the Disco
INFO: 7 tonight at UCF Arena, Building 50, N. Gemini Blvd., Orlando
TICKETS: $27.95-$37.95 through ticketmaster.com or by calling 407-839-3900