[title]
Last summer marked the first time in the history of the Hollywood Bowl (which opened in 1922) that the beloved outdoor theater was forced to cancel an entire season of performances, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the iconic venue is back in action this summer, with more than 50 performances scheduled to take place in the coming months—all adhering to the latest reopening guidelines from Los Angeles County.
Before the Hollywood Bowl's 2021 season opens up to the public, the venue will host five free concerts for healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers as a token of appreciation to all the brave individuals who helped guide Los Angeles through a pandemic. These shows include a pair of performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel (May 15 and 22), an advance screening of the new documentary P!nk: All I Know So Far (May 17), a co-headlining set from Thundercat and Flying Lotus (June 12), and Latin rock band La Santa Cecilia (June 26).
The Hollywood Bowl's 2021 season officially kicks off just in time for Independence Day weekend, with a pair of July 4th Fireworks Spectacular concerts featuring funk and R&B legends Kool & the Gang (July 3 and 4). Other highlights of the lineup include pop singer Christina Aguilera (July 16 and 17), cosmic jazz bandleader Kamasi Washington (July 18), reggae artist Ziggy Marley (Aug 1), R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R. backed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Aug 13 and 14), electropop crooner James Blake (Sept 25), art-pop fave St. Vincent (Sept 14) and jazz fusion legend Herbie Hancock (Sept 26).
Film score aficionados will want to show up in September for the Maestro of the Movies concerts, featuring composers John Williams and David Newman conducting some of their most famous themes, performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Sept 3, 4 and 5). The LA Phil will also tackle live performances of the scores of The Princess Bride (July 31) and Black Panther (Sept 10, 11 and 12). Plus, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra will perform the score for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Sept 17) and actress Melissa Peterman will host the traditional Sound of Music sing-along (Aug 21).
On the classical front, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has 14 performances on the calendar, including a pair of Tchaikovsky Spectacular concerts accompanied by fireworks (Aug 6 and 7) and an all-Gershwin program featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Aug 10). And Desus & Mero-approved cellist Yo-Yo Ma will show up to play all six of Bach’s cello suites (Sept 14).
Current Hollywood Bowl subscribers can renew their seats today via the Hollywood Bowl website—everyone else will have to wait until "Create your own" three-concert ticket packages go on sale on May 27. If you're hoping to attend the July 4th Fireworks Spectacular concerts on July 3 and 4, individual tickets will be available on May 18. Individual tickets for the rest of the calendar will be made available to the general public on June 1.
Initially the Bowl announced it would be a majority vaccinated venue (which would’ve meant 67% capacity with vaccinations or negative tests required, and only two sections reserved for non-vaccinated attendees). However, in line with California’s full reopening plans, the Bowl will operate at full capacity beginning in July with no vaccination requirements. The venue also says it’s waiting on guidance from the county in regards to its mask policy. You can keep tabs on the current policies here.
Take a look at the complete calendar of Hollywood Bowl 2021 concerts and read on to find the 15 shows that we're looking forward to the most (we've noted which subscription series they fall under).
15 shows in the Hollywood Bowl’s 2021 season lineup we’re most excited about
July
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Kool & the Gang
Sat July 3 and Sun July 4 at 7:30pm
Christina Aguilera with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Fri July 16 and Sat July 17 at 8pm (Weekend Spectaculars)
Kamasi Washington + Earl Sweatshirt
Sun July 18 at 7pm (KCRW's World Festival)
The Princess Bride in Concert
Sat July 31 at 8pm (Non-subscription)
August
Reggae Night XIX: Ziggy Marley + Wailing Souls
Sun Aug 1 at 7pm (KCRW's World Festival)
Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks
Fri Aug 6 and Sat Aug 7 at 8pm (Weekend Spectaculars)
H.E.R. with the LA Philharmonic
Fri Aug 13 and Sat Aug 14 at 8pm (Weekend Spectaculars)
Sing-A-Long Sound of Music
Sat Aug 21 at 7:30pm (Non-subscription)
September
Maestro of the Movies with John Williams and David Newman
Fri Sept 3 and Sat Sept 4 at 8pm (Weekend Spectaculars) Sun Sept 5 at 7:30pm (Sunday Sunset Concerts)
Black Panther in Concert
Fri Sept 10 and Saturday Sept 11 at 8pm (Weekend Spectaculars) Sun Sept 12 at 7:30pm (Non-subscription)
Yo-Yo Ma | The Bach Project
Tue Sept 14 at 8pm (Tuesday Classics)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert
Fri Sept 17 at 8pm (Non-subscription)
Brittany Howard + Jamila Woods + Georgia Anne Muldrow
Sat Sept 18 at 7pm (KCRW's World Festival)
James Blake with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Sat Sept 25 at 8pm (KCRW's World Festival)
Herbie Hancock
Sun Sept 26 at 7pm (Jazz Plus)