There aren’t many composers who can fill an arena, but Hans Zimmer is no ordinary composer. Tonight, Sydney’s Afterpay Arena is packed with an audience spanning generations, cultures and musical tastes, all drawn together by the man responsible for some of cinema’s most recognisable soundtracks.
Before a single musician appears, the sound of the sea rolls through the arena. It’s an intriguing opening, setting the scene for a concert that is as much about atmosphere and spectacle as it is about music.
Then Zimmer appears, perched high on the second level of an enormous stage set that resembles the inside of a computer. This is Hans Zimmer Live – The Next Level, and the title is no idle boast.
Zimmer is joined by a formidable 19-piece band, including acclaimed Australian vocalist Lisa Gerrard, whose haunting voice has become inseparable from some of his most celebrated work.
What immediately strikes you is how involved Zimmer is in the performance. He’s constantly swapping instruments, moving around the stage and interacting with his musicians. Despite being the man whose name is on the ticket, he’s clearly enjoying being part of the band rather than simply conducting proceedings from the sidelines.
And what a band it is. The musicianship is exceptional, with the players moving effortlessly between delicate passages and enormous walls of sound. There’s a real sense of camaraderie onstage, with Zimmer frequently exchanging looks and gestures with his fellow performers.
The scale of the production is staggering. Lighting, visuals and electronic sound design work alongside the live instrumentation to create something that feels closer to a major rock concert than a traditional orchestral performance.
Of course, Zimmer has a catalogue that few composers can rival. From Gladiator and The Lion King to The Dark Knight, Interstellar, Inception and Dune, his music has accompanied some of the biggest films of the past three decades. Hearing these compositions performed live reveals just how much they stand on their own, removed from the images they were written to accompany.
Zimmer’s career has earned him two Academy Awards and five Grammys, but tonight those accolades seem almost beside the point. What matters is the sheer physical impact of the music, the extraordinary talent assembled onstage and the obvious pleasure Zimmer takes in sharing it with an audience.
It’s a breathtaking experience, both musically and visually. One thing is clear: Hans Zimmer has worked out how to make film music a genuine arena spectacle, and Sydney is more than happy to come along for the ride.
Zimmer will appear once more at the Afterpay Arena, tickets HERE.
Images Deb Pelser
