Press room

This spring and summer at the Barbican audiences are invited to dive into the magical world of film music. From iconic Hollywood hits to cutting-edge fusions, the series celebrates the incredible bond between music and film. Audiences will be able to experience live orchestral performances that bring cherished movies to life, enjoy concert renditions of cult cinematic soundtracks, discover new film music alongside beloved scores, and explore a groundbreaking documentary with mind-bending generative soundtracks. From March through to July, from symphonic orchestras to smaller ensembles, from jazz to classical, there's something for every film music enthusiast.

See highlights below for a selection of these unique cinematic experiences.

SCREENINGS WITH LIVE MUSIC 

• The Death of Stalin – In Concert (15) (27 Mar): A unique cinematic experience brings Armando Iannucci’s dark comedy The Death of Stalin (2017) to the Hall in a live concert screening performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra will play composer Christopher Willis' score in sync with the film for the first time, under the baton of conductor Matt Dunkley. Following the live screening, a Q&A session will take place with director Armando Iannucci, composer Christopher Willis, producer Kevin Loader, and cast member Michael Palin.
• ECHO RISING STARS: Nosferatu with Sebastian Heindl (16 Apr): The haunting world of silent cinema comes to life with ECHO Rising Star Sebastian Heindl’s improvised score for the German expressionist classic Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. As Heindl brings F.W. Murnau's 1922 masterpiece to life, his mesmerising organ compositions defy copyright challenges to create a genre-defining experience. The suspense heightens as the ghastly Count appears on screen, accompanied by Heindl's evocative organ music, reminiscent of the gothic tradition found in cinematic thrillers.
• Batman Live in Concert (12) (26 May): The 35th anniversary celebration of Warner Bros Pictures' 1989 DC Superhero film Batman, comes to the Hall live in concert. Experience the classic film like never before with a live orchestra performing composer Danny Elfman’s score, conducted by James Olmstead. An ideal opportunity for both fans and newcomers to immerse themselves in the iconic DC character's story.
• Whiplash – In concert (15) (4 Jul):  The intense world of a prestigious New York jazz school is explored in Damien Chazelle's masterpiece Whiplash on the big screen with a live performance of Justin Hurwitz's soundtrack. The Multiquarium Big Band, led by Benoît Sourisse and André Charlier, synchronises their performance with the film, mirroring the precision demanded in the simmering narrative.

CONCERT PERFORMANCES

• Colin Stetson: Hereditary + London Contemporary Orchestra  (25 Apr): Canadian-American saxophonist Colin Stetson, in his Barbican Hall debut, joins forces with the London Contemporary Orchestra conducted by Robert Ames for a special performance of live selections from his acclaimed soundtrack to the A24 horror masterpiece, Hereditary, in a world premiere performance. N.B This show features projected images from the horror film Hereditary. Some of these images contain gore and violence. We recommend an age guide of 15+
• London Symphony Orchestra: LSO on Film (16 Jun): Since 1935, the London Symphony Orchestra has contributed soundtracks to over two hundred movies, including some of the greatest ever made. The first in a series of film concerts, this event will celebrate film scores recorded by the LSO over the decades that showcase composers living and working in the UK and US, with introductions and stories from LSO musicians. Featuring music from Star Wars, Things to Come, Henry V, Harry Potter, Cinderella and Final Fantasy, by composers from Sir Arthur Bliss to Patrick Doyle, and from Bernard Herrmann to John Williams.

DOCUMENTARY SCREENING

• ENO: Live documentary & post-film conversation (12A) (20 Apr): The UK premiere of Eno, a revolutionary documentary featuring the pioneering Brian Eno. Created by Gary Hustwit and Brendan Dawes, this film utilises cutting-edge generative software to seamlessly merge original interviews with Eno's exclusive footage and music.