From Dune to Dunkirk, Wonder Woman to the Man of Steel, The Dark Knight to Gladiator, Inception to Interstellar, and Pirates of the Caribbean to The Lion King, these are fantastic films, and almost all would rank highly in my top films of all time. Every film listed is scored by one composer, Hans Zimmer, and he’s brought his work with him as a live music concert experience to Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
Having last seen Hans Zimmer Live in the same venue back in 2019, I was overjoyed to hear of his return. Touring with his live band known as The Disruptive Collective, consisting of over 30 musicians, plus some locals filling out the orchestral roles on strings and horns, this unique experience was set to wow a sold-out Melbourne audience with almost three hours of epic film score suites.
Entering Rod Laver Arena, I found that the stage was hidden behind a giant screen. Displayed on screen was a live shot of the eager Melbourne audience as they made their way to their seats, with some even taking the opportunity to become the star of the show by humorously standing directly in front of the camera when they found it. The Melbourne arena lights pulsated ever so slightly, creating a sense of anticipation as we patiently waited for the concert to begin. Eventually, the lights dimmed, the Melbourne audience cheered, and the show began.
Kicking off the run of film suites was Lorie Cotler with an impressive solo vocal performance during the introduction to ‘House Atreides‘ from the Dune score. Just as the number kicked into the full band, the screen was raised to reveal The Disruptive Collective in full swing, and at the centre of it all was the man himself, Hans Zimmer.
‘House Atreides’ appeared to seamlessly transition into ‘Mombasa’ from Inception. The fast drumming mixed with the lighting production made for an exciting introduction to the evening’s entertainment. I was already beaming from ear to ear, and it was only the second song!
At the end of the opening sequence, the band took a well-deserved break as Hans Zimmer stepped into the spotlight to introduce himself to the audience. Before he even spoke a single word, Rod Laver Arena erupted into cheers and a lively applause. Zimmer exclaimed, “I haven’t even done anything yet. This is why I love coming to Melbourne”, going on to confirm that Melbourne is the best audience that they get to perform for.
Easily one of my favourite scores of Hans Zimmer’s, the Wonder Woman suite not only showcases principle celloist Mariko Muranaka’s mind-blowing and mesmerising cello playing, but it also has an incredible guitar solo from Skye Emanuel. This solo was so impressive, Hans Zimmer even pulled up a chair and sat down right in front of Emanuel to take it all in. While Zimmer was shaking his head in awe, I found myself doing the same thing!
Continuing with the superhero theme, Zimmer and the band went straight into the Man of Steel suite, opening with ‘What Are You Going to Do When You Are Not Saving the World?’. The opening piano riff played by Zimmer is unmistakeable. Its uplifting, youthful, hopeful and is perfect for Superman.
Gladiator is arguably one of the biggest films in recent history. It took out a slew of awards, winning Hans Zimmer a Golden Globe for Best Original Score. It’s easy to see why as it is one of the most beautiful scores he has composed. Gladiator also has a local connection. No, not Russell Crowe (who isn’t even Australian), it is the wonderful Lisa Gerrard, born and raised right here in Melbourne that features as the lead vocalist on the original Gladiator score. Gerrard wowed her hometown audience with an incredible vocal performance that even left Zimmer blown away.
Before heading into a 20-minute interval, Zimmer re-introduces Muranaka to centre stage, and I already knew what was coming next: Pirates of the Caribbean. Easily one of the best and most recognisable scores Zimmer has ever produced. Even writing right now, that cello hook is playing in my head, and I bet it is now playing in yours as you read this. However, the true star of this suite is Mariko Muranaka herself. Commanding the stage with her long hair flicking about to the music, Muranaka provided a feisty, fierce and feminine-empowering performance.
Throughout the concert there was one member that kept grabbing my attention, long-time friend of Zimmer and resident woodwind extraordinaire, Pedro Eustach. Eustache plays a wide variety of woodwind instruments, from the classic flute to the more obscure duduk. The Armenian duduk is a classic wood flute that dates way back to the 3rd millennium and Eustache even crafted his own, showcasing during the concert the incredible sounds that it can produce. Eustache also created his own instrument with some PVC piping that features during The Last Samurai suite. A true highlight of the evening.
The second act includes Christopher Nolan/Hans Zimmer collaborations with The Dark Knight and Dunkirk. We were also treated to more Dune with ‘Paul’s Dream’, complete with Hans Zimmer complimenting his sound engineer before having his audio warped into the menacing voice that actually starts the music piece.
Saving the best to almost last, the second act rounded out with two of my favourite films of all time, Interstellar and The Lion King. They’re two films that couldn’t be further apart from each other, but I adore them equally. First was Interstellar, complete with the ‘Day One’ theme and that iconic piano motif, plus the lighting during this sequence was just as impressive as the music. A giant disco ball hovered over the centre ceiling at Rod Laver Arena, and when lit, cast bright stars across the sea of patrons, or a spinning circle of light that was reminiscent of a black hole in space. This suite alone was well worth the price of admission. It took me back to the very first time I saw Interstellar and hearing its music just made me want to watch the film again.
Just as the evening couldn’t get any better, the legend himself, Lebo M appeared at the back of the stage and belted out the unmistakeable Zulu cry at the beginning of ‘Circle of Life’. What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary. The stage was filled with African musicians on bongos and Lebo M’s own daughter Refi M accompanying on vocals.
The Lion King was the very first film that I remember seeing as a child. Its musical counterpart is easily in my top 3 favourite theatre shows of all time. So, upon hearing its music as it was intended, and live on stage, I was deeply moved and overflowing with nostalgic happiness.
Whilst the music of the concert garnered many emotional responses from the attentive Melbourne audience (including myself), Hans Zimmer exuded so much love and passion when he spoke. During the breaks between each of the musical suites, Zimmer paused to reflect on the friendships he had formed with each of the musicians on stage with him. He spoke so candidly and lovingly about every one of them, and the experiences that they had together when initially creating the music. These people alongside Hans Zimmer are more than just musicians, to him they are his chosen family, and seeing this on stage, feeling this within every note played, made my heart so full.
The Melbourne audience at Hans Zimmer’s first Melbourne concert in six years, was the most respectful audiences I have ever seen at Rod Laver Arena. During the songs, people remained silent, soaking in everything that Hans Zimmer and his friends had to offer. As I scanned the Melbourne audience around me, there was barely a phone in sight. The venue was embraced in a comfortable darkness, only really illuminated when the lights danced to the music. Everyone was living in the moment, and this only enhanced the Hans Zimmer Live experience.
The production value of a Hans Zimmer Live concert is also next level. To provide an immersive experience, dancers even went into the crowd at one point, as did Hans Zimmer and one of his guitarists, getting up close and personal with the lucky patrons that were seated on the floor.
The lighting was so much more than just flashy sequences and smoke haze effects, it played a pivotal role in expressing the emotions behind each of the different theatrical suites. From creating dark and moody vibes during Dune, to bright and colourful tones during The Lion King, all whilst perfectly keeping in time with the music. Although there were some issues with the audio mixing, popping at times, the mishaps were quickly forgiven by how impressive the overall production was, and how professional everyone was on stage.
Just when we all thought it was over, Hans Zimmer and The Disruptive Collective returned the surprise of the iconic theme from James Bond. But what the Melbourne audience was highly anticipating was the exquisite main track from Inception, ‘Time’. Now, if you are not familiar with the track, firstly, how dare you! Secondly, it’s gorgeous and ends with a very quiet, slow and subtle solo piano motif. As Hans Zimmer reached the final moments of the number, some members of The Disruptive Collective began to slowly circle around Zimmer while he played on the piano. Along with the music, the lights continued to dim, until it was only a dull spotlight that intimately lit Zimmer at the piano while he focused on the iconic piece’s final moments.
The sold-out Rod Laver Arena crowd was dead silent. Never in my life had I heard this iconic Melbourne venue so quiet before. There was not a single cough, sneeze, word or whisper, just the gentle hum of the air conditioning overhead. Everyone lucky enough to be in the same room collectively held their breath and it felt like time had momentarily stood still, as Hans Zimmer played the final beautiful notes of ‘Time’. Truly the perfect ending to an unforgettable and life-changing musical experience.
As I left the venue, Melbourne patrons were beaming with joy. Some were even wiping their eyes from the tears that they’d shed from what they had just been a part of, and I was no exception. I honestly wish I was seeing him again and cannot wait for Hans Zimmer return to Australia, as there’s truly nothing like a Hans Zimmer Live concert.
It’s incredible enough already to hear these suites and scores live, but to have the legend himself be on stage at the helm with all the original vocalists and musicians that helped create these famous works, it’s truly an honour and almost out-of-body experience. Hans Zimmer, thank-you for your music, for touring with your talented friends, and for finally coming back to Australia.
Proudly presented by Frontier Touring, Hans Zimmer Live has been touring Australia and has its final Aussie stop in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday the 29th and Wednesday the 30th of April. Although there are no more dates of the Australian tour, you can check out the 2023 Hans Zimmer Live album on music streaming services. I will be listening to it to relive the experience as much as I can, and I hope Hans Zimmer’s returns to our shores sooner than later.
For more information, visit:
https://www.frontiertouring.com/hanszimmerlive
https://hans-zimmer.com
https://www.hanszimmerlive.com
https://www.instagram.com/hanszimmerlive
Photography by Brett Schewitz.
