Hans Zimmer Live - Concert
Film Scores Composed and produced by Hans Zimmer
2 hours 40 mins
Coca Cola Arena - Dubai

Ps:- There is a fair degree of detail on Hans Zimmer, the tracks that were played and some nuances - i would love for you to read in entirety, but if the details are too much and this is not your cup of tea - skip to the pictures and the short videos at the end!

Here is a really interesting tidbit on how i started listening to movie soundtracks!

During my engineering days , rather nights that i decided to study - i was trying to figure out what music would keep me awake and help me concentrate a wee bit. I know folks who used to study to Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh songs playing in a slow volume. Around the time Gladiator (Russell Crowe) happened and "Now We are Free" was my early introduction to Hans Zimmer.

Over the next few years as my love for movies (of all kind) increased, i started paying more attention to the movie scores ( such an integral part of cinema) . I created my own play lists with pieces from the legendary Ennio Morricone, the God of movie score composing John Williams, James Horner and of course Hans Zimmer ( discovering much to my embarrassment that he had composed The Lion King many moons ago!).

Hans Zimmer's body of work includes - Gladiator , Pirates of the Caribbean, most of the Christopher Nolan movies (notably Inception, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, Dunkirk ), The Last Samurai, Dune , The Lion King , Blade Runner 2049 and many more....

So, forever - A. R Rahman (my love for his music - everyone knows!) and Hans Zimmer - have been the two composers who rule my play list !. Styles are similar (exploring genres), their variety, their range, their "sound" , use of new instruments and technology to create an experience for the audience. More importantly, both composers are known for their gentle personalities and deep respect for fellow artists and are doing a stellar job in mentoring and encouraging composers/musicians.

I had the privilege of attending an A.R.Rahman concert in New York in 2009 ( i look forward to seeing another soon, given the tech and sound design available now). Hans Zimmer was always on the list. I know a chance of his concert happening in India would be rare (maybe it can happen, if Rihanna and Katy Perry can perform here...he might!). So it had to be Dubai or Singapore for me to catch Hans - when this opportunity presented itself in 2024 - i thought it was the right time to make it mine.

That's that - One Friday night in Dubai - fly in for the concert and fly back next day - that is what i did, my best chance to meet One of my two musical Gods up close and personal.

What an unforgettable night it was! - Over 3 hours 15 mins (2 hrs 40 mins + intermission) at the Coca Cola Arena (17,000 people, incredible venue, with some really tight seating). The show started with a piece from "Dune" and the entire 55 set orchestra jumped into the energetic "Mombassa" (from Inception).

The mind-boggling crowd puller Tina Guo (a Cellist who is a frequent collaborator, google her!) , starts the "Wonder woman" riff before being joined by the incredibly talented quartet of women Violin / Cellists and vocalists - the Wonder Ladies as Zimmer called them.

The incredibly motivating "Man of Steel" theme (my favourite walk to work piece), the operatic Gladiator suite with Lisa Gerrard , before the roof absolutely came down with the monumental 15 min "Pirates of the Caribbean" suite once again featuring Tina Guo ripping the Cello .

Before I know - it has been an hour and i was barely catching my breathe - an intermission for about 20 mins helped. The restart with the rendition of the "Love Theme from Dune 2" (always makes me weep), before the bangers of the "Dark Knight" (elevating heart rates) were unleashed to rapturous applause. For this one Hans Zimmer came down into the audience and demonstrated his riffing!

The otherworldly , interplanetary sounds of "Interstellar", the poignancy of "The Last Samurai" made me float, before the absolutely lively and chirpy "Lion King" (The Circle of Life, "He Lives in you") - made me stand up and dance to the beats (and the dancers in the midst of the audience held us to rhythm) .

Towards the close it was Zimmer's version of James Bond (No Time to Die) with solid bass guitaring, before his final act - the soulful rendition of "Time" From Inception - brought me back to earth !

I have been very fortunate to be able to pursue many items on my bucket list (and i humbly and hopefully look forward to many more) - but this one night will always be right up close to the top.

Some pictures and short videos follow - If you would like to listen to a version of this concert - Here is the official music streaming (on your platform of choice) .