Acclaimed composer and musician Hans Zimmer lit up Bridgestone Arena with his famed film scores, including “Interstellar,” “Inception” and the more recent “Dune” series. He has an expansive career in Hollywood with accolades that include five Grammy Awards and two Academy Awards. “Hans Zimmer Live” arrived in downtown Nashville on Feb. 2 after four months on the North American leg of the tour. As the arena filled with anticipation, a projection screen on the stage displayed a live recording of the audience, seemingly a reflection of Zimmer’s and his team’s appreciation for the fans.
With an ethereal start, the glittery, golden lights illuminated a man at a large bass drum and Loire Cotler, the main vocalist for the score of the movie “Dune.” Cotler sang “A Time of Quiet Between the Storms,” a gentle, romantic piece from the film, to warm up the venue for the show. With a loud bang of a drum, the screen raised to reveal a tiered stage full of singers, musicians and just about every instrument imaginable — from bass guitars to brass to bagpipes. Several performers were multi-instrumentalists, like a skilled woodwind player who also drummed and virtuosic violinists who also performed solo and back-up vocals.
(Naomi Alvarado)
Zimmer was at the center of the stage in a black suit with a classic tailcoat. He and every other musician appeared to be having the time of their life at every moment, dancing and riffing off of each other with fervor. During a break between performances, Zimmer also remarked on the audience’s similar excited energy, along with Nashville’s reputation as “Music City.”
“This is the first town where everyone is in their seats when we start,” Zimmer said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Zimmer then announced his most recent win at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place on the same night. His “Dune: Part Two” score received Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media. The crowd was thunderous in their congratulatory applause.
The music resumed with the force of two superhero film scores. The fierce “Wonder Woman” suite was accompanied by a powerful standing cello solo from Tina Guo. “Man of Steel” featured an exhilarating, improvised electric guitar solo from Guthrie Govan, a guitarist known for his technical brilliance and creativity. Zimmer pulled his seat closer to Govan for a prime view, seemingly mesmerized by Govan’s artistry on the fingerboard.
(Naomi Alvarado)
Zimmer never failed to pour adoration upon his fellow performers, some of whom he has played with for decades. He gave several personal introductions, attributing his success to their contributions. While introducing the next soundtrack, Zimmer praised Pedro Eustache for his skill on the duduk, a thousands-year-old reed woodwind instrument used in many scores of the show. He also emphasized Eustache’s dedication to the craft, citing how he built custom flutes for their musical productions. Zimmer also commented on the value of immigrants to the community, as Eustache is originally from Venezuela, indicating how diversity in instrumentals and artists appeared to be important and enriching to his work.
Zimmer took the crowd into vast waters with music from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” where the shifting light created an optical illusion that made the entire stage appear to rock back and forth on turbulent waves. The section featuring “One Day” from “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” moved me to tears. It was heartbreakingly but unquantifiably hopeful, evoking sorrow and perseverance with its emotive, orchestral chords. After a brief intermission, the music resumed with the intense “Dark Knight” score. Zimmer, now in a more casual T-shirt and pants, joined the audience on the floor with his bass guitar to greet fans up close.
The song “Cornfield Chase” opened the “Interstellar” suite. The gorgeous piece portrayed the sweet but fleeting nature of both childhood and parenthood, a matter that seemed to be personal to Zimmer, who is a father. Later on in the score, an aerial silk performer took flight and danced among the star-like stage lights. Like scenes from Zimmer’s movies, the soundtrack suspended members of the audience in the majesty of both space and time.
At the closing, the crowd gave a standing ovation as the performers linked hands for a final bow. Zimmer ran down the line to high-five each performer before giving air-fives to the audience. The obvious camaraderie between Zimmer and his team, as well as his relationship with the audience, highly elevated the concert experience.
“Hans Zimmer Live” was a beautiful retrospective of Zimmer’s still-thriving career, displaying an impressive range of styles and emotions. The music captured the hearts of the crowd, whether that was in sorrow, fury or pure adrenaline. The songs stood strong even without the movie scenes they originally accompanied, which speaks to Zimmer’s masterful compositions. To experience and listen to this concert was truly unforgettable because it was nothing like watching a film; rather, it was like I was living in a movie myself.
