You haven’t really watched La La Land unless you’ve seen it in concert.
In honor of the award-winning musical’s 10th anniversary, the film’s Academy Award-winning composer, Justin Hurwitz, is bringing the “City of Stars” to fans worldwide. His concert series, La La Land in Concert, features orchestras from each city scoring the beloved film live.
Hurwitz Concerts was founded in 2022 to produce live performances for all of his scores, including Whiplash and Babylon. Hurwitz began performing La La Land live in 2023, fittingly at the Los Angeles State Historic Park. Hurwitz took to the stage at New York City’s iconic Radio City Music Hall. He said the venue is only “blocks away” from where he wrote some of the film’s music with famed songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
“Don’t tell Los Angeles, but a lot of La La Land was written in New York,” Hurwitz cheekily told the audience.
La La and in Concert splits the film into two acts, introducing them with an overture and entr’acte. These bright, instrumental moments immediately bring viewers into the bustling setting of Hollywood.
Delicate flute melodies swell into vivacious, brassy motifs from the opening song “Another Day of Sun” and the instantly recognizable “Mia and Sebastian’s Theme.” While much of the viewing experience is about watching the movie while listening to the score, Hurwitz really allows the orchestra to shine in these segments of the show.
If you’ve never seen the film before, seeing it in concert is a perfect introduction. La La Land centers around aspiring Hollywood actress Mia (Emma Stone) and jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling). The score itself feels whimsical and optimistic, reflecting the allure of Hollywood and stardom.
The 53-piece orchestra includes everything from strings and percussion to a piano player meant to represent Sebastian’s character, who actually plays in sync with Sebastian’s hands throughout the film. These intricacies culminate in the film’s big musical moments, like the tear-jerking “Planetarium,” where Mia and Sebastian kiss for the first time under their theme song.
La La Land in Concert also expands on the film’s magic by including some fun technical elements. Stars appear in the sky when Mia and Sebastian dance in the Griffith Observatory. Sparklers fire off to conclude the tear-jerking epilogue. Bright flames and lasers blaze during John Legend’s “Start a Fire.” These inclusions feel more like concert elements than just watching a movie. Hurwitz even encouraged the audience to snap photos of them.
With a famous score and award-winning music, La La Land is the perfect film to hear live. Hurwitz Concert’s show only elevates that experience. While Hurwitz isn’t always in person to conduct the show, the magic of his composition carries throughout the entire production up until the final chords.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or first-time viewer, your time at La La Land in Concert will certainly live up to the film’s grandeur — just make sure to bring some tissues!
La La Land in Concert is currently touring globally through 2027. Tickets and show information can be found here.
