Hollywood Bowl Summer Concert Roundup

hollywood-bowl
Get ready for the Hollywood Bowl’s best season yet. Photo courtesy L.A. Phil.

We were going to do a “Top 10” list of concerts not to miss at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, except there were too many fabulous shows to choose from. Check out 15 must-see Hollywood Bowl concerts in 2015.

Opening Night with Journey
June 20. “Don’t Stop Believin’”-machine Journey launches the Hollywood Bowl’s season with a full-length set with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, followed by a fireworks display. Also new for the 2015 summer season are revamped box seats, improved walkways and delicious new food offerings.

Ed Sheeran
July 24-25. British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran brings his sought-after ballads to the Hollywood Bowl sage. With chart topper “Thinking out Loud,” under his belt, Sheeran performs with Manchester, England-based foursome, Rixton. 7:30 p.m.

Sing-a-Long Sound of Music—Celebrating the Film’s 50th Anniversary
June 26. The Hollywood hills are alive with The Sound of Music, as the popular sing-a-long event returns to the Hollywood Bowl. Wear your costume for the pre-show parade, and warm up your vocal cords for this annual summer event. 6:30 p.m. pre-show; 8 p.m. film.

Back to the Future—in Concert 30th Anniversary
June 30. It’s the year that Marty McFly made it to the future and it’s also the 30th anniversary of the original Back to the Future. Commemorate these milestones with the HD screening on the Bowl’s big screen, with the LA Philharmonic playing the epic score live, with about 20 minutes of new music. Opening the evening, members of the cast, composer Alan Silvestri and producer and co-writer Bob Gale will be present. Back to the Future paraphernalia will be on display across the Bowl grounds. 8:30 p.m.

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular
July 2-4. At the Hollywood Bowl’s annual great American extravaganza, King of Motown Smokey Robinson joins the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a night of patriotic music and spectacular fireworks. 7:30 p.m. each night.

Yuja Wang Plays Prokofiev
July 7. Kicking of classical Tuesdays at the Bowl, pianist Yuja Wang will perform Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto. This breathtaking program includes French & Russian pieces such as Debussy’s La mer and Ravel’s Bolero. 8:00 p.m.

Carmina Burana with Dudamel
July 21, 23. Gustavo Dudamel leads his very first performance of Carmina Burana in Los Angeles. This majestic orchestra relates themes about morality, life, love. 8 p.m. both nights.

Sinatra’s 100th Birthday Celebration
July 22. Celebrate the iconic singer Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday by listening to his classic songs  performed by the Count Basie Orchestra and others. 8 p.m.

Monty Python’s Spamalot
July 31-Aug. 2. If you’re looking for a laugh, head to the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of the beloved ’70s film. Broadway star and actor Christian Slater will be playing Sir Galahad. This performance marks 35 years since Monty Python first appeared at the Bowl. 8 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2.

Joshua Bell
Aug. 11. Accompanying the LA Philharmonic, Joshua Bell leads the evening with his violin. The program consists of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and a solo of Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 by Bell. 8 p.m.

Warner Bro. Presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony-25th Anniversary
Aug. 14-15. Celebrate 25 years of Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes with a live orchestra accompanying the screening of some favorite shorts from the show. Classic episodes include What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville and Zoom and Bored. 8 p.m. both nights.

Reggae Night: Bob Marley’s Roots Rock Reggae— A 70th Birthday Celebration
Aug. 16. The Reggae legend’s sons Ziggy and Stephen “Ragga” Marley lead us in honoring the 70th birthday of their father. Accompanying artists include Inner Circle and The Skatalites. 7 p.m.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Sept. 4-6. The LA Philharmonic performs the Academy Award-winning score of the classic story while it plays in HD on the big screen. Pile the family into the car and enjoy an evening under the stars with Steven Spielberg’s beloved film. 8 p.m. Sept. 4-5, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6.

Fireworks Finale with the B-52’s, The Psychedelic Furs
Sept. 11-13. The party is on with favorites B-52s and The Psychedelic Furs. Don’t miss the season’s finale with hit songs “Rock Lobster,” “Love Shack,” “Pretty in Pink” and “The Ghost in You,” plus the magnificent fireworks. 8 p.m. Sept. 11-12, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.

Grace Jones, Future Islands
Sept. 27. Baltimore’s Future Islands and pop star Grace Jones team up to bring you an evening of disco, new wave and dynamic synth pop. 7 p.m.

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