Don't call it a comeback, they've been doing it for years...

How Orchestras can broaden their idea of programming and meet music lovers where they are.

On November 20, 2024, Goldenvoice announced the lineup for the 2025 Edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Arguably one of the biggest festivals on the planet, and perhaps the start of the summer festival circuit, earning a spot on the lineup at Coachella could signify the start of a skyrocketing career or the validation of your superstardom.

I examine the lineup each year as a litmus test of my pop culture acumen to keep up with the younger ones. I smirked to see that “Gustavo Dudamel & LA Phil” on the bill. What are they gonna do? I don’t think I thought of it since until last weekend when a few in the American classical music industry mentioned on social media about the livestream performance.

Coachella 2025 lineup - My tally of acts I know or heard of: 14/54 Friday; 11/46 Saturday; 12/47 Sunday - TOTAL 37 out of 147 - what’s your count?

Well… as we enter the second weekend, and the time that Gustavo & LA Phil will take the stage again, let’s discuss the first weekend performance and impact. LA Phil is no stranger to crossover performances with their season at Hollywood Bowl. From its website, the Hollywood Bowl has been the premier destination for live music in Southern California, since its opening in 1922. While there have been several iterations of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic re-launched the orchestra In 1991. The programming is a range of all genres of music and the Coachella setlist reflects this cornucopia.

Paula Mejía of the SF Gate attended the performance: “The LA Phil not only sounded immense at Coachella, with every string pluck and brassy flourish resonating throughout the Outdoor Stage, but they also stunned an enormous crowd during a coveted golden hour slot. By melding an eclectic mix of iconic orchestral pieces and an unpredictable slate of collaborators joining them onstage, the LA Phil arguably delivered one of the hardest Coachella sets thus far this weekend.”

When’s the last time an orchestra was listed on setlist.fm? NOTE: I wrote “setlist” instead of the classical style of “program”. The industry needs to modernize its vocabulary too. SOURCE: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/los-angeles-philharmonic-and-gustavo-dudamel/2025/empire-polo-club-indio-ca-1359c1c9.html

This is not the first time an orchestra has been on stage at Coachella. Celebrated composer Hans Zimmer performed a full set of his music from moves such as The Dark Knight and Pirate of the Caribbean in 2017. Björk headlined the 2023 edition with an orchestra and a full drone show.

Coachella is a music festival, which transcends genre. This billing of “Gustavo Dudamel & LA Phil” validated such sentiment. I was able to watch the replay and loved seeing the GIANT crowd of people, curious to see who else would come onto the stage as well as bopping their heads to recognizable classical tunes. While many elitist gatekeepers in the classical music industry bemoan their inaccurate perception that audiences today lack sophistication, the enthusiastic audiences on last weekend’s stream showed their joy, curiosity, and elation to experience this music in an unconventional space. The programming was not strict in its classical music, but woven between special guests which kept the energy of the set varied and buoyant.

While many elitist gatekeepers in the classical music industry bemoan their inaccurate perception that audiences today lack sophistication, the enthusiastic audiences on last weekend’s stream showed their joy, curiosity, and elation to experience this music in an unconventional space.

The livestream available on YouTube attracted further commentary. (I’m not posting user videos from the polo grounds as the smartphone audio doesn’t do it justice at all. I’ll wait for the official segments, if/when available.) Alfredo Muñoz wrote on social media, “The LA Phil’s electrifying performance at Coachella today proves that arts organizations can—and must—break out of traditional spaces to stay culturally relevant. By meeting audiences where they are (even at a festival dominated by non classical artists), Gustavo Dudamel and the orchestra didn’t just introduce classical music to new listeners—they redefined what an orchestra can *be* in 2025. People engage with what resonates with their identity, and this bold move shows how arts orgs can thrive by embracing cultural fluency, not just tradition. Marketers take note: the future belongs to those who cross-pollinate, reframe experiences, and make their brand indispensable in unexpected places.”

[The classical music industry] ain’t goin’ out like that

It was a busy weekend for symphony orchestra collaborations in the news. Legendary West Coast outfit Cypress Hill dropped a video of their appearance with the London Symphony Orchestra!

From Christian Eede for DJ Mag: “The live performance took place at London's Royal Albert Hall last July [2024] when the hip-hop group linked up with the orchestra to present a full live reimagining of their 1993 album 'Black Sunday'. The performance saw Cypress Hill team up with the orchestra of more than 70 members to perform new takes on classics such as 'Insane In The Brain', 'Lick A Shot' and 'Legalize It'. They also performed tracks from across their discography during the 20-song setlist.”

The live album featuring the Royal Albert Hall show was originally announced in February will be released via Mercury Studios on 6th June. At the time, Cypress Hill co-founder B-Real said: "It's a trip to see that hip hop can be done in this form – and at a venue as prestigious as the Royal Albert Hall. It was truly an honor and a privilege, and now that experience can be shared."

THIS was some quantum-level manifestation of a bit on The Simpsons in 1996 - it’s something the long-running show does. And where else could this have happened in the Simpsonverse? In the Season 7 Episode 24 “Homerpallooza” - a take on another summer music festival.

RELEASE THE LIVE RECORDING(s)

In addition to Cypress Hill & LSO, there have been many other types of these events which have been released for audio & video. While the Hans Zimmer Coachella set is not available, the program/setlist is available “Hans Zimmerman: Live in Prague” also released by Mercury Studios (ahem).

Here are a few of my favorite collabs whether released commercially or not:

Woodkid at Montreux Jazz Festival 2016 with Sinfonietta de Lausanne orchestra - arguably my favorite Polish-French film director-turned-composer out there. He’s worked with mainstream musicians like Pharrell Williams to commissions for NYC Ballet.

Flight Facilities with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra 2015 (with companion live commercial audio release) - Electronic DJ duo Flight Facilities came to my attention through their meticulously chronological “Decades Mixes” where each song is aligned in time with notable historical moments.

Detroit’s Jeff Mills “the Wizard” and godfather of techno with the formation of Underground Resistance - with Montpelier Philharmonie & the amazing Alain Altinoglu conducting (with companion release “Blue Potential”)

Drum n Bass pioneer Goldie & The Heritage Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall (2014) ten years before Cypress Hill & LSO

Basement Jaxx with Metropol Orkest (2010) in Eindhoven, Netherlands - one of the first UK duos I’m heard reorchestrating their music for live analog performance.

Sigur Rós with LA Phil - the Icelandic band has toured extensively with the Wordless Music Orchestra or local orchestras like LA Phil and Detroit Symphony Orchestra

KEY QUESTIONS FOR YOUR BAND (erm… ORCHESTRA)

“If I don’t connect the dots, then I’ll just have a whole bunch of random points” - Whitney Code

My efforts on this platform is to help provide examples of impactful experiences. Without these touchpoints - live performances, cross-genre collaborations, educational explainers, modernizing vernacular - audiences age out of your offerings. Perhaps your brand association with certain acts is enough for their audiences to look at your programming.

Focusing on this, most of these orchestras are based in Europe, which have different work rules. However, If you’re a live music-performing ensemble, I have some questions for you. Before you respond about the limitations, let these marinate:

1. Do you have “pops” programming? How broad is that definition?

2. Do you have a research team outside your artistic department (and perhaps your industry bubble) helping you identify opportunities?

3. Is your orchestra (or your musicians’ agreement) available for hire? Could other producers contact you? Are there committee approvals needed?

4. What is your relationship with other venues/production companies, which may have more production facilities - such as audio and video capture?

5. What are the values in your mission? Do they serve the performers? the audience? the music?

6. Is your organization interested in the business of memories or money?

7. Does your organization “invest” in developing initiatives?

8. Are you concerned with your financial burden of new opportunities? Have you researched the costs? Do you need assistance? (I may know someone…)

What are your thoughts about these types of concerts? Sound off in the comments and share other examples of orchestras with other acts.