As autumn leaves fall and the chill settles on a beautiful October day in Vancouver, entering Pacific Coliseum is going to feel like stepping foot into a cinematic, musical experience like no other. With the lights dimmed down low, warm lights flickering on the ceiling, the vast wooden area echoed with excited whispers of families, couples, and friends alike. Outside, people stand huddled under umbrellas, holding tickets like the prized possessions that it is. You move through the entrance, as the salty aroma of pretzels drifts towards you, and families make their way to their seats. The lobby hums with murmurs as everyone tells their story of how they found out about Hans Zimmer, what songs they are excited to see, and just life. People are taking off their damp coats, ready to enjoy the show. Everyone has brought their loved ones out because they have heard about the success of this tour in Europe.
These are highly trained musicians handpicked by Hans Zimmer himself, and the show is curated, produced, and the music is directed by him, but conducted by Matt Dunkley. You are still in the most talented hands because he’s got two Grammy nominations. You know someone is a masterful artist when tours in their name sell out even without them present. It promises to be a night filled with the perfect synchronization of talented instrumentalists with epic film sequences. Some musicians are from world-class orchestras such as the Odessa orchestra & friends, and the Nairobi chamber chorus. As it says in the title, you are going to reach a new dimension.
You spot the huge screens up on the stage that you are going to light up with the most enthralling displays. You spot small candles flickering on the stage and some instruments that you may not even recognize. The audience quiets as the first musicians come on stage, they play around with the tuning a bit, and settle into their chairs. The clock strikes 7:30 pm, the lights go out, and the show begins. You had watched Hans Zimmer on his Instagram say that the difference between Hans Zimmer live and this show, beyond the obvious of him not being there, is that this is his romantic side, his orchestral side. And you can’t wait to experience it.
The stage is set, the musicians have practised to perfection, and Hans has directed. All that’s really left to do is for you to awaken your senses by being there in person. Experiencing this live means transcending watching music; it’s being immersed in the music. This is the new dimension, Zimmer’s dimension, and he doesn’t do anything but perfection.