The Hollywood Bowl will host a three-night event this weekend celebrating the music of filmmaker Wes Anderson, with performances spanning his lengthy career. The concerts, scheduled from Friday to Sunday, will be hosted by Bill Murray, a frequent collaborator who has appeared in ten of Anderson’s films. Featured artists include Beck, Jenny Lewis, Karen O, Rufus Wainwright, and Devo, with additional surprise guests expected to perform selections from Anderson’s eclectic soundtracks.

Anderson, 57, who spoke via voice notes from Paris, where he resides, expressed surprise at how much music was left out of the event due to the extensive range across his movies. Known for blending vintage pop tunes, classical compositions, and original scores—most notably those by Alexandre Desplat and Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo—Anderson and his long-time music supervisor Randall Poster have traditionally declined live performances of his soundtracks. This event marks a rare exception.

Johanna Rees, vice president of programming and creative partnerships at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, described the production as an immersive experience. Attendees will encounter Anderson-themed merchandise and uniformed bicycle riders handing out candy, aiming to replicate the director’s distinct cinematic atmosphere within the venue. Criterion Collection, which recently released a comprehensive 20-disc box set of Anderson’s work, will also participate with a lounge, listening booths, and a screening room featuring Anderson’s films and selected titles curated by him, such as “Yojimbo,” “Amarcord,” and “Belle de Jour.”

Peter Becker, president of Criterion, praised Anderson’s collaborative spirit and his ability to foster a creative community. “We’re not the only ones who’ve been part of the greater Wes Anderson family for the last 25-plus years,” Becker said.

Randall Poster, whose partnership with Anderson began in 1996 shortly after the release of “Bottle Rocket,” noted that the preparation for these concerts has been an ongoing collaboration. Poster, speaking from New York, explained that their selection process often starts even before the film’s production, focusing on key musical elements that shape the film’s tone. The live shows will feature special releases, including a flexi-disc of the Rolling Stones’ “2000 Man” and a limited-edition yellow vinyl containing two songs by the band Love.

Anderson described his use of music as instinctive rather than formulaic. One iconic moment he referenced was Gwyneth Paltrow’s slow-motion disembarkation from a bus in “The Royal Tenenbaums,” set to Nico’s “These Days.” Anderson noted the importance of that song and a Ravel string quartet in inspiring the film’s emotional core. For the performances, Jackson Browne, who penned “These Days,” will perform the song himself.

The director’s inspiration for song choices sometimes comes from personal sources. For “Asteroid City” (2023), Anderson drew from a western swing track, "Last Train From San Fernando," which his daughter frequently listened to. Poster emphasized Anderson’s appreciation for novel instruments and rhythmic complexity, citing examples like Gene Krupa’s “Drum Boogie” and Japanese taiko drums featured in his recent scores.

Poster, who calls Anderson “The Maestro,” highlighted the director’s growing proficiency in reading music, which enriches the integration of score and narrative. “He really gets into the score’s DNA,” Poster said, noting how this deep engagement has helped create cohesive soundtracks that enhance the films’ storytelling.

The upcoming concerts aim to capture the distinct and layered sound that has become synonymous with Anderson’s films. “They won’t happen again,” Rees said, underlining the uniqueness of this three-night event. For Anderson, the weekend is a reflective milestone showcasing how his approach to film music has evolved over nearly three decades, from early placements of existing songs to collaborations with composers who have helped shape his signature auditory style. He acknowledged the significance of having Mothersbaugh and Devo perform live, marking a celebratory gathering of long-standing creative partnerships.