JOHN CARPENTER: LIVE IN CONCERT (2025)
Music composed by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies
Keyboard: John Carpenter
Lead synth: Cody Carpenter
Lead guitar: Daniel Davies
Guitar: John Konesky
Bass: John Spiker
Drums: Scott Seiver
October 31, 2025
The Belasco
Los Angeles, USA
PART 1: A NO-BRAINER
How about seeing John Carpenter perform his music live in concert?
– Wouldn’t that be something! I’ll ask the missus.
How about seeing John Carpenter perform his music live in concert on Halloween night?
– Dang. I’ll take the missus out to the fanciest restaurant in town then ask her.
How about seeing John Carpenter perform his music live in concert on Halloween night with a Meet “n” Greet VIP package?
– SHUT UP and tell me where I can get tickets RIGHT NOW.
PART 2: LIVE IN CONCERT
This past Halloween night John Carpenter and his band of all-stars enraptured an audience of hardcore fans at the Belasco in downtown Los Angeles.
Performing a program of Carpenter’s biggest hits from the movies as well as music from his LOST THEMES concept albums, we were also treated to a special preview of his new album due for release some time next year.
The music arrangements were similar to those on the two Carpenter ANTHLOGY albums as well as the first, second and fourth LOST THEMES albums.
Below is the setlist for the October 31st performance:
– MAIN PROGRAM –
- LOST THEMES IV – My Name is Death
- BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA – Pork Chop Express (Main Title)
- THEY LIVE – Wake up
- ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 – Main Title
- LOST THEMES II – Distant Dream
- ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK – Main Title
- THE FOG – Theme from the Fog
- LOST THEMES – Vortex
- THE THING – Theme
- LOST THEMES IV – Last Rites
- HALLOWEEN – Laurie’s Theme
- HALLOWEEN – Main Title
- IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS – Theme
– ENCORES –
- CATHEDRAL – Lord of the Underground
- PRINCE OF DARKNESS – Theme
- CHRISTINE – Theme
As you can probably tell, it was quite the Halloween night!
PART 3: THE MAIN PROGRAM
Before I begin, let me acknowledge that there are a countless number of videos of Carpenter’s recent concerts on both Instagram and YouTube. The Halloween night performance in LA was also live-streamed.
Nevertheless, I decided to review the concert as a record of my own account of what happened at the concert, the impression the music left, and how cool it was meeting Carpenter and the band at the pre-show meet “n” greet event.
LOST THEMES IV
– My Name is Death
With the stage bathed in a dark and devilish shade of red, we waited with wild anticipation as the sounds of a slow wash of synth chords filled the air.
The night’s performers then started to fill the stage, bringing chaotic applause from the audience as John Carpenter, the Master of Horror himself, made his glorious entrance.
Then without a word spoken, John Spiker on bass got the evening started with a pulsating baseline laced with malice. Cody Carpenter soon joined with synth landscapes as Daniel Davies brought a calm but cool riff on electric guitar. With drummer Scott Seiver and Carpenter on keyboard pushing things forward, it was hard not to bop along with the music.
At the end of the piece Carpenter finally took to the microphone to introduce himself:
The above video captures but a fraction of the vibes and volume of that moment – in reality, the cheers and applause from the crowd were all but deafening.
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA
– Pork Chop Express (Main Title)
Opening with that iconic guitar phrase, I knew we were in for a treat as that infectious rock beat soon took control and steamed forward. I just love the swagger and attitude of this piece – it’s the perfect embodiment of Jack Burton in musical form.
THEY LIVE
– Wake Up
This was another massive crowd-pleaser that had Carpenter and his crew pop on shades for the piece.
The interplay between the bass and electric guitar was absolute killer and it sounded so good live – in fact, the balance and the acoustics throughout the night were perfect, so hats off to the guys behind the mixing desk – you nailed it.
ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13
– Main Title
That drum opening. That ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta percussion. And that badass synth bass line. How could anyone not think this is the coolest opening ever?
After bringing things up a notch with a guitar riff worthy of the Gods, Davies went over to the synths to play some insanely cool distorted bass sounds as Seiver continued tapping away on the drum kit with military precision.
LOST THEMES II
– Distant Dream
Carpenter preceded this piece by telling us that it was inspired by Tangerine Dream’s score for SORCERER, a classic 1977 thriller directed by William Friedkin.
This was another winner with killer guitar riffs and a hypnotic synth beat. As the piece progressed, Davies motioned to the crowd to clap along and clap we did.
Many even threw in some head banging for good measure!
ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK
– Main Title
Oh how I love this piece.
Its marching beat and simple but heroic theme on the keyboard sounded fantastic live. I’m pretty sure that the high cascading synth line was pre-recorded as I peered across the stage looking for its player but could not find one.
In any case, it was still amazing to hear, especially when Davies played the main theme on his guitar.
THE FOG
– Theme from “The Fog”
The audience went berserk as soon as Cody Carpenter started playing that iconic high pitched opening synth figure from THE FOG.
The air of mystery in the music soon changed to feelings of impending doom as deep bass sounds enveloped the room.
LOST THEMES
– Vortex
One of my personal favorites came next with “Vortex” from Carpenter’s first concept album, LOST THEMES. I love how this piece opens with its stark piano sounds and then segues into a killer synth and drum rhythm.
When Davies joined the party on electric guitar and Carpenter had us clap along to the beat, all I could think of was how wonderfully filmic this piece was – it could easily fit any Kurt Russell action film directed by Carpenter.
THE THING
– Theme
Speaking of Kurt Russell, next came an electrifying arrangement and performance of Ennio Morricone’s main theme (“Humanity: Part II”) from THE THING.
Opening with a deep rumble, the sounds of that iconic two-note bass line soon appeared as organ notes added to the feeling of dread. Davies then took on the melody on electric guitar to give the piece an even greater feeling of hopelessness and despair.
LOST THEMES IV
– Last Rites
This piece was marked by a constant percussive beat akin to the sound of a machine gun. Guitars playing a repetitive figure added to the movement of the piece with the pace slowing to give Cody Carpenter a moment of reflection on solo piano before speeding up again and being joined by soft synth choir.
HALLOWEEN
– Laurie’s Theme
– Main Title
As soon as Carpenter said “Back in 1978…” we all went berserk for we all knew what he was about to play: his iconic music from HALLOWEEN.
“Laurie’s Theme” kicked off the HALLOWEEN suite with its simple but mysterious melody on the piano.
Davies supported with creepy synth notes.
The piece then segued into what many had really been waiting to hear all Halloween night: the “Main Title” for HALLOWEEN.
Needless to say, the audience went insane when those iconic opening bars were played by Cody Carpenter on the keyboard.
Seiver returned for that rapid ta-ta-ta-ta-ta on drums to give the piece an even more intense and psychotic feel.
Davies then joined for some wicked guitar riffs before the piece came to a wildly satisfying end.
IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS
– Theme
After a quick lead-in by Seiver on the drums, we went straight into the opening synth keyboard part of the main theme for IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS.
While I’ve always loved this cool and catchy theme, I’ve always had trouble connecting it to the film which I find to be a bit “mad.” I had to laugh during the show when the crowd cheered as scenes of Sam Neill having a mental breakdown on the bus were shown.
The piece winded down with some (again) incredible work on the guitar by Davies.
And that ended the main program for the night.
PART 4: THE ENCORES
CATHEDRAL
– Lord of the Underground
After briefly stepping off stage for a breather, Carpenter took to the microphone to explain that we’d next be hearing “Lord of the Underground” from CATHEDRAL, a new piece from a new album that will be released next year.
This hypnotic hard rock-inspired piece moved forward with the speed and power of a steam train. Guitar, drums and bass dominated with support from a dark synth choir, no doubt in reference to the “Lord” of the “Underground.”
I for one cannot wait to hear the studio recording of this when it is released next year!
PRINCE OF DARKNESS
– Theme
To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of this music and the reason is simple: it was written for a film that has freaked me out ever since I first saw it.
Hearing it just brings back those nightmarish images – I guess this only goes to show how effective it is with its badass 3-note synth opening followed by that 2-note “ah-ah” by synth choir. Just thinking about it makes my hair stand on end!
CHRISTINE
– Theme
For the final encore, Carpenter thanked the audience and left us with a final warning as we went home for the night:
What followed was another foot-tapping performance of the CHRISTINE theme.
The audience was in raptures as Davies took the theme on his guitar, gave it some serious attitude, and then brought the evening to a wild and satisfying close.
Take your bows boys!
Prior to the night’s performance I’d seen photos of the concert setlist being shared on Instagram and wondered where the setlists came from, but now I know. At the end of the concert I could see people begging for the setlists from the stage crew.
While I was too late to get my hands on one myself, one very kind soul let me take a picture of his which I have reproduced below:
If you’re reading this dude, thank you! I owe you a beer (or two).
PART 5: MEETING JC & FLIPPING THE BIRD
While not cheap, I don’t think anyone would pass up an opportunity to meet the Master of Horror himself, John Carpenter.
For this Meet “n” Greet VIP package you were entitled to the following:
- A pre-show photo with John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies
- Priority entrance to the show so you could get a spot closer to the stage
- A laminated Meet “n” Greet pass
- A commemorative VIP ticket on hard plastic
- A limited edition ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK poster signed by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies (size 28 cm by 43 cm on hard card paper)
- A limited edition long-sleeve tour top with Halloween design
- A THEY LIVE tote bag
- First dibs at the merch store before it opened to general ticket holders on the night
And while not written, there was also an opportunity to get a few items signed when you met Carpenter and his crew. For me, they graciously personalized my liner notes for HALLOWEEN as well as two other items that were for some friends back home in Japan.
When it was time to pose for a photo, we did it with Carpenter’s trademark “horns” gesture:
I also cheekily asked for another shot flipping the bird. They most kindly obliged:
My 8-year-old son sure got a kick out of this photo!
PART 6: CONCERT MERCH
In my excitement at meeting John Carpenter, I totally forgot to snap photos of the merch store!
While there was plenty on offer, I only ended up getting a tour t-shirt and a signed glow-in-the-dark Michael Myers poster… (I know, I know – how could I possibly sleep at night with this on the wall?!)
As of writing, some of the merch can be purchased online here: JOHN CARPENTER – Super Ultra Mega Merchandise
PART 7: OVER TO YOU
Did you go to this concert too? How did you like it?
And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.