Rain may be flooding Southern California, but it's all sunshine at the Hollywood Bowl as the Los Angeles Philharmonic announces the venue's 2024 summer lineup, including the world premiere of Marvel Studios Infinity Saga Concert Experience, lots of music by Gustavo Dudamel and the first from the west coast. Roots Picnic, featuring Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Planets and more.
“The Hollywood Bowl is the headquarters of Los Angeles. It’s L.A.’s backyard,” says Meghan Umber, content director of the LA Phil. “And we want it to feel like when you open the [programming] brochure, there is immediately something that catches your attention.”
Movie fans can rejoice, but classical music fans won't be disappointed either. Dudamel, the beloved musical and artistic director of the LA Phil, will not move to the New York Philharmonic for another two years, and the Bowl intends to make the most of his commanding presence. During what will be his 15th season at the Bowl, Dudamel will conduct nine performances at the LA Phil alongside South Korean pianist prodigy Yunchan Lim.
Lim made his debut last summer at the Hollywood Bowl, Umber notes, “and it was momentous.” Putting Dudamel and Lim together with a program of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, he adds, “is a mix for extreme success.”
Dudamel will also appear for two nights with 18-time Latin Grammy winner Natalia Lafourcade, in addition to many other concerts.
In other classic news, former LA Phil music director and legendary conductor Zubin Mehta will return to the Hollywood Bowl stage for the first time in three decades (he turns 88 in April) to conduct “Mozart Under the Stars” (a Bowl tradition he originated) with violinist Pinchas Zukerman.
Cinema continues to be a big draw for the Tinsel Town venue, turning cinematic fun into full-fledged immersive experiences. Dudamel will lead the LA Phil orchestra on a journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe of 23 films over 11 years for the Infinity Saga. John Williams will of course return with his ever-popular Maestro of the Movies event. The 1952 musical classic “Singin' in the Rain” will also receive the Bowl treatment.
The Roots team will host their first West Coast Roots Picnic to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop; and Harry Connick Jr. will serenade the crowd for the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. Other notable performers and artists include Beck, Patti LaBelle, Herbie Hancock, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Sylvan Esso, Chaka Khan, the Gipsy Kings with Nicolas Reyes, George Benson, Gary Clark Jr., Toto, Christopher Cross, Trombone Shorty , Rodrigo y Gabriela, Vance Joy, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra and Mt. Joy.
Since the unprecedented pandemic shutdown four years ago, the Bowl is thriving again, Umber says. The crowd has returned and the venue remains a favorite throughout the city.
“We continue to work to make the park and ride system more robust, and the shuttles make it easier to get there,” Umber says. “There are always some fun new food options and you can still bring your own picnic.”
We can all toast to that.
