LA LA LAND LIVE IN CONCERT: A CELEBRATION OF HOLLYWOOD
Music composed and conducted by Justin Hurwitz
Piano & keyboard solos by Randy Kerber
Performed by the Tokyo 21c Philharmonic
August 20, 2022
Tokyo International Forum
Tokyo, Japan
PART 1: CONCERT REPORT
(this report was originally written on Aug. 20, 2022 – just after the concert)
After almost 3 years of self-imposed “stay at home” because of the pandemic, today marked a spectacular return to the live concert hall.
Of the many film music concerts I’ve been to, “LA LA LAND Live in Concert: A Celebration of Hollywood” has got to be the best. From the newly-composed overture to the triumphant end credits suite, it was a concert brimming with highlights. If that’s not enough, the film’s original composer, Justin Hurwitz, was there to conduct the orchestra alongside the commanding musical presence of Randy Kerber, the man behind the original piano performances in the film.
As with the first time I saw LA LA LAND in cinemas, I was blown away by the opening number “Another day of sun,” tapping my feet to “Someone in the crowd,” and rocking away to “Start a fire,” the live band scene in the film with John Legend and The Messengers.
“Planetarium,” the yearning and soaringly romantic montage at Griffith Observatory, had us spellbound and dancing in the clouds with Mia and Seb.
With my heart racing beforehand knowing what was about to come, the whole “audition” sequence with Emma Stone absolutely wrecked me by the end… never has there been a more perfect marriage of picture, message and sound.
I was once again holding back the tears during the epic 7+ minute finale at Seb’s that traversed every emotion, picking at each one, giving us an oh-so-painful glimpse of what could have been.
As Seb’s final notes played into silence, the Tokyo audience remained dead silent, stunned by what they had just heard and saw. It was a transcendent moment to be sure.
A rapturous and triumphant performance of the end credits suite followed with a dazzling encore of “City of Stars,” a new jazz combo version arranged by Justin Hurwitz himself in his Tokyo hotel room.
We all went home knowing that we had just experienced something truly special that night, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that wanted to go back to LA LA LAND…
Here’s to the ones who dream.
PART 2: CONCERT MERCH
In addition to soundtrack CDs, DVDs and blu-rays of LA LA LAND, something very special was being offered at the concert venue: pre-autographed cards by Justin Hurwitz. These were strictly limited and available with every CD purchase.
To secure my copy, I got to the venue an hour early with my two friends to line up. As soon as the doors opened, we dashed upstairs to the merch counter and got our precious signed cards. According to the timestamps on the photos I took of the merch counter that day, the allotted amount of signed cards for sale for that performance sold out in the first 20 minutes!
Thank you so much to Justin Hurwitz and Universal Music Group for offering such a special gift to the fans 😊
PART 3: CONCERT FLYER
Here are scans of the original concert flyer.
PART 4: OVER TO YOU
Did you also go to this concert? 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.
