Went to 2 of these now and am attending another 2 at least this year. Saw Across the Spider-Verse last December and saw Into the Spider-Verse just a couple of days ago. Already booking Return of the Jedi and Black Panther for this September and October, respectively.
Anyone else absolutely obsessed with these showings? Truly some of the best entertainment I've ever found as a film and music geek. Hoping that England gets another showing of The Lion King one day, missed the Royal Albert Hall performance in 2024.
I went to the *Star Wars* one that my local symphony (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) did. It was cool enough, but I wouldn't say that I'm champing at the bit to see other movies like this. Thinking back, I might be willing to do this for a screening of *2001: A Space Odyssey* or maybe *Out of Africa*... The movie has to already have an unusually good score for this to tempt. I also just kinda prefer to watch movies at home.
2
UltimateUltamateApr 2, 2026
+2
Saw The Princess Bride like this and it was pretty killer. It actually lent a more serious tone to the film, I felt.
2
TyrionBananasterApr 2, 2026
+2
I do. I really enjoyed Return of the Jedi when I saw it with a live performance.
I did also see Across the Spider-verse in concert though, and I have to say that I was incredibly disappointed by that one. Obviously I didn't expect live performance of the licensed music. But any part of the soundtrack that wasn't strictly orchestra (which is to say, a ton of it) was just completely pre-recorded which led to extended periods of the Orchestra sitting on their thumbs while music played from the screen.
I don't know if I should have expected that, but there are a ton of parts (not *all* parts, I should stress) of the soundtrack that you'd think they could have recreated with keyboards or something creative, but there was really no effort made to do any of that. Like I get using some pre-recording, like for the operatic vocals in the Vulture scene, but most of it was just.... nothing.
It's a shame, because Pemberton's score for that film is one of my all-time favorites. And I would have been fine with them recreating most of it and making it sound slightly different/less tech-y if it meant I got to see people perform it. But there wasn't any effort made to do that. It was a bummer.
2
TheRegularBeltApr 2, 2026
+2
Can I ask what show you went to for ATSV? I went in December last year at the Eventim Apollo and they had DJ Blakey doing all of the electronics and Daniel Pemberton was actually there doing the guitar and other sound effects!
'To My Son' for example, he slapped the areas around his mouth to make the clicking noises which was awesome! Do you live in America? I know he obviously doesn’t attend those and the electronics usually are played from the screen, but that wasn’t my experience. Best event I’ve ever been too, crowd energy was insane.
2
TyrionBananasterApr 2, 2026
+2
Yeah, I'm in America. They did have a DJ but it was kinda hard to connect him to any of the sounds being made and it didn't feel like he was actually making any of the noises.
And yeah to use the same song as your example, all of that was pre-recorded. Or to use "Falling Apart" as another example, IIRC there was basically nothing happening onstage at all until the strings come in at around 1:10 of the track. Tiny ass Orchestra too.
I'd love to have been at the concert you described. It sounds like it was awesome
2
TheRegularBeltApr 2, 2026
+1
If you'd like a taste, DJ Blakey actually did a whole video detailing the process of performing the electronics and turntables within the film alongside the orchestra at a performance in London. Same venue he performed at when I went in December 2025, just a different date. Both he and Pemberton were there. This really bought out the scale of the soundtrack within the film and it's a shame they don't seem to do this in the American showings. I'm assuming it may be because both Blakey and Pemberton actually live in England so they're able to easily travel to the shows when needed. Blakey was behind the record scratching in the actual soundtrack, also!
Take a look: https://youtu.be/Fc_CQcwxwRI?si=sdSX7rvW2MTIz6Lk
1
NATHAN4U007Apr 2, 2026
+1
Shit like this make me jealous of Americans as a film buff.
You also got so many theatres showing indie films and old remastered classics, while we get the newest big hollywood film for a month and thats it.
1
TheRegularBeltApr 2, 2026
+2
I'm from England lol. These type of showings are pretty common over here, especially in London. Royal Albert Hall has a whole subset of performances dedicated to showing films with live orchestras. They're showing Matilda like this later this year, narrated by Danny DeVito.
2
BigowlApr 2, 2026
+1
I saw blade runner and the live music was clearly mimed.
1
TheRegularBeltApr 2, 2026
+2
Really? That's a huge shame. Practice for these shows is typically that the recording the orchestra and conductor view has the soundtrack ripped out. I would've complained lol.
Thankfully, I know that hasn't been the case for the ones I’ve attended, usually since the orchestra and guy on the DJ mixing for the Spider-Verse films sometimes freestyled lol.
2
somebuddyxApr 2, 2026
+1
Seen a couple advertised here in Sydney and would love to go. But I just can't afford that kind of thing.
1
Chickenshit_outfitApr 2, 2026
+1
Had ticket for Dawn of the Dead with Golblin live last year in Austin and missed it due to working away. Was gutted
1
vaisatrianiApr 2, 2026
+1
We did STAR WARS two years ago and EMPIRE last year. JEDI is this year and I'll be buying tickets to that once they go on sale.
Great fun.
1
1192tomApr 2, 2026
+1
Love it, off to the Royal Albert Hall this weekend to watch Interstellar with the royal philharmonic orchestra. Can not wait.
Last last few weeks, Project Hail Mary, The Artemis launch and now this... a space themed start to the year.
1
TheRegularBeltApr 2, 2026
+1
Oh, wow! Amazing! I'm gonna be going to the Royal Albert Hall this October for Black Panther. Gutted I missed their Lion King performance in 2024, hoping they bring that one back next year. It'll be my first time there! Is it as good a venue as it looks and sounds?
1
1192tomApr 2, 2026
+1
It’s a special venue for sure!! I’m lucky enough to have worked there a few times in the past so it holds a special place for me. You’ll have a great time.
1
TheRegularBeltApr 2, 2026
+1
Being a bit cheeky now, what are the best seats for an ideal view of the orchestra and film without either being obstructed by people or the musical equipment? Kiiinda wanna avoid that if possible. Do you have any recommendations? The online chart doesn’t really provide you with a good look.
But yes, super excited! I hope you enjoy Interstellar!
1
1192tomApr 2, 2026
+1
Not at all. id say anywhere in the stalls thats not to far to the sides. Its pretty well lit and its just a standard projector screen so its not like a movie going theatre screen.
Check out [https://seatplan.com/london/royal-albert-hall-venue/seating-plan/](https://seatplan.com/london/royal-albert-hall-venue/seating-plan/) for some photos.
1
socolime22202Apr 2, 2026
+1
Yes.
1
A_Legit_SalvageApr 2, 2026
+1
I saw John Williams conduct the orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl for Return of the Jedi, and just as the final duel between Luke and Vader started it began to rain. I wasn't even mad about it...it somehow made it pretty damn epic.
1
comfort-noiseApr 3, 2026
+1
Yeah, I love them. I've seen:
* Pirates of the Caribbean 1
* The Nightmare Before Christmas
* The Wizard of Oz
And I've a ticket to see The Fellowship of the Ring later this year. I only wish they were more frequent, and a bit less expensive.
1
muskiesfan1Apr 2, 2026
I have a 12 yo daughter who plays the viola in her school’s orchestra. She loves music and movies and heard about our local symphony orchestra (Indianapolis) doing a show like this for Empire Strikes Back. My wife and I support our kids’ interests and got her tickets.
It was just her and her mom because I’m disabled and it’s difficult to move around sometimes plus our youngest daughter had zero interest lol. Anyway, my wife and oldest loved it! There were characters there such as storm troopers for photo ops and they said the show was phenomenal.
We’re paying attention to other future performances for them to check out.
22 Comments