Hans Zimmer • September 8, 2024 • Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL • Photos by J.D. Casto • instagram.com/jdcasto

Hans Zimmer Live Review 

Review by Trevor Bosmans

This past Sunday, at the beautiful Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida Hans Zimmer performed along with his 30+ piece orchestra at the only Florida stop on the tour. Never have I seen that many talented musicians on stage at one time. This show was so great that it might have ruined concerts for me forever. 

I have been a fan of Hans Zimmer’s music for as long as I can remember. His contributions to the scores of some of my favorite films have helped shape my appreciation for music over the years. In 2017, I watched the livestream of his Coachella set; it was so enthralling that I was determined to one day see him live. It took seven years, but I finally made it happen.

Over the course of the next few hours, Hans Zimmer took us on a journey through music and film, blending genres to create one of coolest multimedia experiences I’ve ever seen. He treated us to musical suites from some of his early material (The Lion King) all the way to his newest score (Dune) and everything in between. He opened the show with the somber “House Atreides,” a selection from Dune. This was followed by one of my favorite songs of the night “Mombasa” from the Inception soundtrack. Percussionists, Aleksandra Šuklar and Lucy Landymore were given their chance to shine on this upbeat track. After just a few songs, I knew this was going to be a night I would never forget.

Hans Zimmer addressed the audience for the first time, explaining that he is used to working in the studio, so he might not have the best stage presence. He said he likes to approach the show as a dinnertime chat, telling us a little about each film score, while providing an excellent segue between songs from Man of Steel and Wonder Woman to Gladiator which is one of his more ambitious scores.

For the Pirates of the Caribbean portion of the show, Zimmer introduced his longtime cellist, Mariko Muranaka, whom I recognized from the livestream. She is certainly a master of her craft who helped bring these songs to life in a way I never thought possible. This portion of the show was truly epic. I felt honored just to be in the presence of these amazingly talented artists. 

Nothing could prepare me for The Lion King suite in which original vocalist Lebo M came on stage to sing the classic opener to the film, “Circle of Life.” I knew he had taken part in the Coachella set, but I had no idea he actually toured with him. This extended medley with the legendary South African singer truly made my night. As he left the stage Hans thanked him and said, “He IS The Lion King.”

Hans Zimmer and his astounding orchestra began to wind down the show with a rendition of “No Time to Die” from the James Bond series which included Hans himself rocking out with a guitar strapped to him. He is definitely the most hands-on composer I’ve ever seen. During the course of the show, he took time to showcase, or mention, each and every member of the band.

Before leaving, Hans Zimmer asked if we minded if he did one more “little one.” He sat down at the piano and began playing “Time” from Inception as the spinning top from the film appeared on the screen behind him. You could hear a pin drop in the 7000 seat Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida that night. The only time I’ve ever heard a crowd that big so quiet was at a Sigur Rós show. As the song finished the spinning top continued spinning as the whole stage went to black leaving me to figure out if everything I had just seen was actually a dream just like the movie. I had to take a little while to process what had just taken place.

As much as I enjoyed his Coachella set, after seeing this performance in person, it is clear to me that these songs are meant to be experienced live and nothing else can ever give them the justice they deserve. I feel so honored that I was able to take part in this unique experience at one of the best venues in the world. Thank you, Hans Zimmer and Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida for an (Inter)Stellar night!

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