Movies

Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil tune up for their ‘dream’ gig at Coachella

BBG News

On a Tuesday afternoon, the spring heat sizzled across an almost deserted Hollywood Bowl. For their practice sessions, the L.A. Phil had lowered a sunshade over the stage. Under the guidance of music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel, the orchestra rehearsed some significant pieces from their upcoming performances this weekend.

On Saturday night, The Phil will venture into uncharted territory. They’ll be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival for the first time, a renowned, eco-friendly outdoor music venue that perfectly encapsulates the picturesque charm of Southern California.

44-year-old Dudamel, who came to L.A. 17 years ago to head the Philharmonic, has always considered performing at Coachella as a dream that began when he first arrived. He expressed this sentiment during a backstage interview at the Bowl.

It’s quite remarkable that until now, the two major music institutions in Southern California had never collaborated onstage for an original performance. However, with Dudamel preparing to leave emotionally to head the New York Philharmonic next year, this moment felt particularly significant.

He expressed that it seemed as though everyone had been anticipating who would initiate the idea to perform at Coachella, and he was glad that it finally happened. This is exciting because of our extensive experience performing at the Hollywood Bowl every summer with a variety of artists. I believe our journey led us to this milestone, where we can celebrate all these years in such an iconic venue that typically doesn’t feature classical music.

Music

Information on Coachella 2025: Learn about ticket purchases, lineup of artists, food options, festive atmosphere, and live streaming details.

Here’s a breakdown for each topic:

1. Tickets: Find out when and where to buy tickets for the festival. Be sure to mark your calendar so you don’t miss the pre-sale or general on-sale dates!

2. Performing Artists: Get the inside scoop on who will be performing at Coachella 2025. You can check the official website, social media platforms, and music blogs for artist announcements as they become available.

3. Food: Discover delicious food options at Coachella 2025. From gourmet burgers to vegan delights, there’s something for everyone! Check out last year’s vendors or see if the festival website has posted updates on the food lineup for this year.

4. Festival Party Scene: Get a glimpse of what the party atmosphere will be like at Coachella 2025. From dancing in the desert to meeting new friends, there’s always something exciting happening! Check out photos and videos from previous years or read festival reviews online.

5. Livestream: Stay connected even if you can’t make it to the festival in person. Find out how to watch the livestream of Coachella 2025, so you don’t miss your favorite artists performing live. Check the official website or social media platforms for details on the livestream.

Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable experience at Coachella 2025!

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, known for its pop music collaborations, has even graced the stage at Coachella before, notably with Hans Zimmer’s unforgettable performance in 2017. This unique collaboration is just another example of the Phil’s music directors showing shared intrigue with the city’s other leading music sectors, a tradition that dates back for quite some time.

Meghan Umber, the L.A. Phil’s chief programming officer, remarked that Zubin Mehta began a legacy with the L.A. Philharmonic decades ago, a legacy we continue to appreciate today. He also collaborated with Frank Zappa, thus challenging conventional boundaries. Furthermore, he initiated the first John Williams concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Later, Esa-Pekka Salonen introduced innovative music and numerous composers and avant-garde concepts to the L.A. Phil. Finally, Gustavo Dudamel opened the doors wide open.

Johanna Rees, vice president of presentations, stated, “Gustavo has been in his position for 17 years now, and it seems like our conversation about Coachella began 17 years ago as well. Honestly, I believe we’ve been waiting for just the right moment.

For Dudamel, born in Venezuela and known for emerging from the renowned El Sistema youth music program, whose L.A. tenure began with a free Bowl concert presenting the new Youth Orchestra Los Angeles, aligns with his longstanding belief of making classical music accessible to young people.

He explained that this presentation symbolizes an adventure aimed at making music inclusive for all, and fostering an environment in which classical music doesn’t seem distant or detached from people’s daily lives. Essentially, our goal is to have traditional music connect with the present moment.

Following some tumultuous post-COVID years for Coachella’s main pop acts – cancellations of Kanye West and Travis Scott, along with Frank Ocean’s controversial one-night comeback – it feels surprisingly buzzworthy to witness a city’s leading orchestra performing on the same stages.

According to Rees, Coachella’s founder Paul Tollett consistently comes up with creative and surprising elements in the desert for this festival. You won’t know what’s in store until you arrive on-site. So, it was thrilling to think that people would only get to see these unique experiences over two weekends. There will be attendees who are discovering an orchestra – its appearance, sound, and emotional impact – for the first time. In essence, I’d say most people are encountering this orchestral experience for the very first time.

Entertainment & Arts

The glorious era of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is nearing its conclusion, as the institution unveils its last season led by Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, who will soon move on to lead the New York Philharmonic.

Some well-known artists such as EDM composer Zedd and Icelandic jazz sensation Laufey are set to team up with Phil for unique performances. Although many details about the event remain secret, rehearsals hint at an explosive blend of classical music suitable for festivals and bold experiments across numerous genres, particularly at Coachella.

In a message, Zedd shared with The Times that it was a remarkable experience when Gustavo Dudamel and the L.A. Philharmonic – widely regarded as one of the finest orchestras globally – contacted him about performing ‘Clarity’ live on the piano alongside them. Many people know that classical music holds a significant place in my life, and at my fifth Coachella festival, I couldn’t believe the opportunity to present this unique song in such an immense, cinematic fashion was becoming a reality.

Dudamel expressed excitement too regarding the task of arranging the program in such a way that captivates and retains the attention of a festival audience, who may be on their way to the tent featuring deep bass sounds.

He explained, “We’ve created an extraordinary medley, incorporating Strauss’ ‘Also sprach Zarathustra,’ Beethoven’s ‘5th,’ John Williams’ work, and Stravinsky’s ‘The Firebird.’ It’s a blend of all these great compositions.” He continued, “Our goal is to create a harmonious experience that takes listeners on a meaningful journey. The classical piece weaves into the melody they’re singing in the song.

Regretfully, the orchestra won’t be able to join in the festivities over the weekend as they are scheduled to perform Vivaldi concerts at Disney Hall on both the preceding and following nights.

Music

For Subscribers

Trump’s visa policies have foreign musicians on edge. How will they affect Coachella and touring?

As Coachella approaches, international musicians are growing anxious regarding visa issues and potential repercussions from President Trump’s tightened policies against dissension.

However, amidst the excitement of watching Dudamel conduct at Coachella, there may also be a hint of melancholy among fans who are aware that this performance marks the end of his groundbreaking tenure in Los Angeles.

As he prepares to assume the role of Music and Artistic Director at the New York Philharmonic, he’ll bid farewell to Los Angeles – a city renowned for its open-minded, accessible, and ambitious global influence in orchestral music. This legacy, a testament to his tenure, will undoubtedly be on the mind of any future leaders at the Philharmonic.

Dudamel declared, ‘My family is something I’ll cherish forever,’ but he also noted, ‘We’ve reached a remarkable peak in our journey, collaborating with numerous artists and integrating their work into who we are.'”

“Dudamel stated, ‘My family will always hold a special place for me,’ but he acknowledged, ‘Reaching this pinnacle in our endeavors, where we’ve worked closely with many artists and incorporated their talents into our essence, is truly remarkable.’

Umber stated that Gustavo won’t hold the same position among us any longer,” he explained, “but it doesn’t imply we’re distancing ourselves from him. Instead, we’ve deeply integrated teamwork within our group, so it will continue to be a fundamental part of who we are.

Rees continued, “This is just the beginning of what we’re dealing with. We’ve moved into another stage, and the artists involved are discussing a wealth of concepts with him. In fact, several of these artists are prepared to embark on tour with him right away.

At a time of great tension within the artistic community in America, this generous collection has made its appearance, coinciding with instances where prominent organizations such as the Kennedy Center have been unexpectedly stripped down administratively and tarnished by heated debates over culture during the Trump presidency.

As I prepare for this Coachella performance, I’m excited about the dazzling night ahead, performing before a sea of 125,000 energetic young fans. Yet, it serves as more than just a music event; it’s a testament to the power of immigration in fostering creativity and innovation. Countries like Venezuela, often criticized by the U.S. government, have significantly contributed to this vibrant cultural tapestry, enriching the artistic landscape for all to enjoy.

Demonstrating the profound impact of art on various aspects of American culture, it’s fascinating to observe how both new and varied audiences are emotionally touched by an orchestra’s performance, and equally so, how an orchestra is influenced by its diverse audience members.

In challenging times, art serves a vital role in the process of healing, according to Dudamel. “When tensions rise and people seem to be separating, we express our convictions through the music we are fortunate enough to perform,” he explained. “Art is significant because it has the power to heal, educate, and inspire individuals. Its value remains consistent regardless of the context — whether it’s a difficult, joyful, or even terrible situation.

Read More

2025-04-11 13:31

Previous post Doctor Who confirms surprise new-season plot twist role for Graham Norton that’s “not just a cameo”
Next post VTuber Otsuka Ray trends after heartfelt message to fans as daughter starts kindergarten