“Avatar: The Last Airbender,” an animated series and childhood favorite for many in our generation, first aired on Nickelodeon in 2005. Known for its masterful writing, compelling characters and rich worldbuilding, the story imparted values of compassion, perseverance and change that stayed with many of us as we grew and evolved. With new stories emerging, there’s even more reason to remain connected to this beloved universe. Another recent highlight was the live-in-concert tour that debuted earlier this year. “Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert” was first announced to be touring Europe a year prior, and I instantly knew that I needed to see it, so when I found out it was coming to Nashville, I was thrilled.
“Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert”
Live-in-concert screenings are a wonderfully immersive experience, where live musicians perform soundtracks in sync with footage projected above them on stage. The way the music reverberates through the Tennessee Performing Arts Center amplified the emotion evoked by the show. However, the “Avatar” concert was slightly different from a live-in-concert movie. To fit in the two-and-a-half-hour runtime, the songs were accompanied by dialogue, scenes or silent cuts to supplement the music. This format highlighted the performance because the viewers were less likely to be so absorbed by the events in the screening that they forgot to listen to the live music.
An ensemble of strings, brass and percussion took us into dramatic battles, scenes of sorrow and contemplative moments of growth. Alongside the more traditional Western sounds were strums of the Chinese guzheng and pipa. The former is a wooden, horizontally laid instrument with strings stretching down its long body, and the latter is similar to a guitar but with a pear-like body and thinner sound. Also on stage was a quartet and a kalimba, an instrument like a small piano whose metal keys are plucked by the thumbs to create notes. One of the singers introduced the ensemble, cheerfully mentioning that all the performers were great fans of “Avatar” and were excited to perform.
This concert began with the iconic theme that starts every episode. An energetic drum beat introduced the voiceover, where one of the main characters, Katara, gave important context to the events of the series. Simply hearing her voice flooded me with nostalgia, as did the familiar melodies. The performers brought to life memorable scenes such as Toph’s discovery of metal bending, Zuko’s Agni Kai battle with his sister Azula and Aang ultimately defeating the Fire Lord, all of which drew loud applause from the audience.
However, not all reactions were joyful. As most “Avatar” fans would know, there is no sadder song than “Leaves from the Vine.” Originally sung by the wise and well-loved Iroh, it was an ode to his deceased son that he always sang on his son’s birthday. When the song ended, I watched four different audience members reach up and wipe their eyes. Then, I discreetly wiped mine. Similar reactions occurred to the music and scenes of Appa while separated from his human companions and during Zuko’s apology to his uncle Iroh. All of these moments contained different tones of heartbreak and were beautifully done. The emotions in the music were so well-conveyed because of the fantastic performers who, like the audience, had all watched, loved and connected with the show, and I believe it truly added to the music.
The performance concluded with a special rendition of “Secret Tunnel,” a song so renowned in the show that I had wondered why it had been missing from the set. Paired with the live instrumental was the original singing from the nomad character, Chong, and a touching video compilation of various clips from the show played above. I could not help but think it was edited together with a true love for the series, recounting the beauty and moments of joy within “Avatar” in such a way that made me emotional for the umpteenth time.
The concert was not just a celebration of music but a testament to the enduring legacy of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Its impact reaches far beyond the screen, continuing to inspire creativity and connection in countless ways.
“Avatar” and beyond
The showrunners and performers all had so much love for “Avatar,” as did everyone in the audience, and the experience of us all coming together in appreciation for this series was a special one. It left me with an urge to rewatch the show as soon as possible and further excitement for the upcoming movie and other continuations of this world. Earlier this year, the newest live-action production of the series was released by Netflix, showcasing a reportedly grittier and fresher take on the original story. Looking farther ahead, a new movie is slated for release in 2026, following the cast of “Avatar” in adulthood. This would be a story so far untold, and with our favorite characters in what seems to be their prime, many fans are curious and excited to find out what incredible things they do after the events of the main show.
Even on our Vanderbilt campus, “Avatar” continues to inspire creativity and community. A classmate of mine in Ceramics crafted a mug inspired by the sky-bison Appa, complete with his face, arrow and horns as decorative handles. A friend’s video art piece about childhood nostalgia featured iconic clips from the series, and TDS’s recent showcase at Langford Auditorium embraced an “Avatar” theme. The skits that appeared between performances followed the series’ plotline with a unique twist: a samosa vendor joined the main cast as a form of nourishing support. The themed artwork and designs on the posters and program booklet were nothing short of incredible.
All of this is a testament to not only the series’ quality but also its legacy and longevity. Nearly two decades later, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” continues to amaze, comfort and inspire us — a powerful reminder of the magic of storytelling and its ability to bring people together.
