There are some stories that don’t just stay on the screen. They walk beside you. Shape your values. Make you believe that hope, honour, and redemption are more than just plot points—they’re possible. Avatar: The Last Airbender has always been that story for me. So when I heard Avatar in Concert was coming to Toronto, I knew I had to go. Not just to watch it again, but to feel it—through the vibrations of a live orchestra, surrounded by others who also grew up loving these characters like they were real.
A night downtown, dressed as katara
Avatar in Concert took place at Meridian Hall in downtown Toronto. I went on Friday night, April 11th, 2025—the opening night—and it was completely sold out. We parked nearby and walked a couple minutes over, the city still buzzing from the evening commute.
Not everyone came dressed up, and that’s okay. But I definitely did.
I wore my Katara earrings (thank you, Etsy), my Appa hair claw clip from SoCraftful.com, and even Avatar-themed press-on nails from BaoBao Nails. Full cosplay. Looking back, I maybe would’ve gone for a more casual Avatar-inspired look—something BlackMilk-esque—but honestly, dressing up made it feel even more magical.
The orchestra was unreal
The show was about 2 hours and 20 minutes, with an intermission. The first half dove deep into Books 1 and 2, while the second half flew through the major arcs of Book 3.
From the moment the orchestra began to play, I was transported. It wasn’t just the music—it was the way each note echoed through the hall like a memory resurfacing. There was the xylophone, the violin, the drums.
A choir hauntingly echoing the sound from Aang’s Avatar State in the temple. A harpist who played just enough to make you notice when he did. A Chinese zither. A flute. A string orchestra that poured emotion into every note.
And one musician—I don’t even know what he was playing—but whatever it was, it sounded like the sungi horn. He had so much energy, it was a joy to watch him even from afar. (Though yes, I definitely wished I’d sat closer. No screens meant missing out on the intricate movement of the players. If you go—sit close.)
Season by season: What I loved (and what I missed)
Book One hit me in all the right ways: Agni Kai. Aang Becomes the Ocean Spirit. The Kyoshi Warriors. Entering the Fire Nation. All of it felt familiar, but amplified.
Book Two was rich and layered. I loved Azula’s theme (chilling as always), the beautiful Into the Nighttime Sky transition, and Zuko’s slow transformation. Appa’s Lost Days was hard to watch—it always is. They also featured moments from Ba Sing Se: Joo Dee, Long Feng, and the Dai Li… all eerie, all spot-on. I do wish they added something silly like the swamp music, just for balance.
Book Three, though, felt rushed. I noticed right away they skipped over favourites like Cave Jivin’ from The Headband. I think they started this set somewhere around The Painted Lady or Sokka’s Master. But they did give the finale the full weight it deserved:
- Azula vs. Zuko (absolutely iconic)
- Katara defeating Azula
- Aang defeating Ozai
And the best part? They layered in actual dialogue and vocals from the show. It made the final arc feel alive, even more than the music alone could.
A tribute that made us cry
They paused everything to honour Uncle Iroh. They played Leaves from the Vine. And the entire hall went silent. They honoured Mako, the original voice actor for Uncle Iroh, who passed away during the show’s run. It was a beautiful, heart-wrenching moment—and honestly, one of the most touching tributes I’ve seen done at a fan event
The merch, the encore, and a secret goodbye
Yes, there was merch. Yes, it was overpriced. I got a magnet for $15 because that was my one little treat, but that hoodie with the sleeve lettering? She was tempting. I resisted… but barely.
And just when we thought Avatar in Concert was over—they hit us with an encore.
The screen came back. The instruments started up. And then it happened:
Secret Tunnel.
They skipped it earlier during Book 2, so I didn’t expect it at all. But for the finale-finale, the orchestra invited everyone to sing along. A full montage of the series played in the background while the room erupted into laughter and soft harmonies. It was hilarious, nostalgic, and honestly? The perfect goodbye.
We weren’t allowed to film Avatar in Concert, but they told us we could record this moment. And I did. Because how could I not?
Final thoughts
Avatar in Concert felt like a love letter. Not just to the show, but to us—the fans who grew up with it, carried its lessons, and still feel a flutter every time we hear the intro.
It wasn’t perfect. Some parts felt rushed. Some songs were missed. But it didn’t matter.
Because for a couple of hours, I got to sit in a room with thousands of others who loved this world just as much as I did. We cried over Uncle Iroh. We whispered the lines we knew by heart. We laughed at Secret Tunnel.
And we remembered what it feels like to believe in balance, hope, and second chances.
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