Since 1929, summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl have been a rite of passage for music-loving Angelenos. While your concert dollars may have already been allocated toward Coachella, Burgerama or Pitchfork, be sure to put some funds aside in May for the upcoming 2015 season. The recently announced schedule continues in the tradition of rare appearances and inspired pairings in an idyllic, classic LA setting. Here are some of the events that stand out.
1. Steely Dan/Elvis Costello (July 13). Though some were puzzled by the Steely Dan addition to the Coachella lineup (Yacht Rock…in the desert?) their albums have held up incredibly well over the years and really need no apologies. Evoking the Del Rey days/Chardonnay nights of the late 70’s and early 80’s, the hits will likely keep on coming on when they share the bill with songwriter extraordinaire, Elvis Costello.
2. Underworld (June 21). On back-to-back Sunday nights in the month of June, two mainstays within UK electronica have booked increasingly rare Los Angeles headlining appearances. Underworld return to the Bowl to perform tracks from 1994 surrealist rave classic dubnobasswithmyheaman. Get out of your seats and into the aisles, people.
3. Basement Jaxx (June 28). Not to be overshadowed are Brixton’s own Felix Buxton and Simon Radcliffe—known as Basement Jaxx. Their Prince-tinged jams and avant garde production always comes with a feast for the eyes as well. And don’t even think about missing opener and American treasure, Bootsy Collins. (This show is part of KCRW's popular World Festival series—always a good bet at the Bowl. More artists and dates will be announced soon)
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (August 18). The word “epic” gets thrown around a lot these days. But how else can you describe the combination of Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey with the live accompaniment by the LA Philharmonic and the LA Master Chorale? The iconic soundtrack will be brought to life by capable hands under the very same cosmos depicted in the film.
5. E.T. (September 4-6). Things will be decidedly more family-friendly for a three-day run in September when E.T. is screened with the score played live by the LA Phil, plus an introduction from composer John Williams.
You can't buy tickets to single shows at the Hollywood Bowl until May 3, so you'll either have to subscribe now to buy the tickets early or set a calendar reminder.