Rock Royalty Meets Classical Grandeur: Foo Fighters Make History at Hollywood Bowl with LA Philharmonic

Foo Fighters took a break from their ongoing Take Cover Tour to deliver a special one-off performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the iconic Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, August 22. This marked the band's inaugural appearance at the venue in their more than three-decade career. They joined forces with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles for an immersive 15-song set, designed to honor Dudamel’s final season with the Phil.

The concert featured the band backed by a full orchestra and choir, creating a unique blend of their signature rock sound with classical arrangements. The setlist thoughtfully combined beloved hits with several deep cuts that are rarely performed live. The evening commenced with the anthemic “Times Like These,” followed by a powerful succession of tracks including “All My Life,” “The Pretender,” “Walk,” “My Hero,” “Learn to Fly,” “The Sky Is a Neighborhood,” and “Run.”

A notable highlight of the night was the inclusion of several rarities. “I Should Have Known,” from their 2011 album Wasting Light, saw its first performance since 2012. Similarly, “Razor,” from 2005’s In Your Honor, made its return to the stage for the first time since 2006. “Home,” from 2007’s Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, also received its first live outing since its original release year. The band further revived “A320,” a deep cut from the 1998 Godzilla soundtrack, which, with its original string arrangements, was a natural fit for the orchestral setting.

Frontman Dave Grohl dedicated the poignant track “Aurora” to the late drummer Taylor Hawkins, a moment that resonated deeply with the audience. The band then brought the evening to a close with powerful renditions of “Best of You,” a reprise of “Home,” and finally, the iconic “Everlong.”

This special concert was part of “Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl,” a four-night tribute commemorating Dudamel’s 17th and final season as the music and artistic director of the LA Philharmonic. Dudamel is set to transition to the New York Philharmonic, taking over as its music director beginning with the 2026-27 season. Notably, Dave Grohl had previously collaborated with Dudamel and the orchestra at Coachella 2025, performing orchestral versions of “The Sky Is a Neighborhood” and “Everlong.” The Hollywood Bowl event occurred during a particularly busy period for Foo Fighters, who had recently played Rock in Rio in Brazil and served as a one-off support act for AC/DC in St. Louis, before resuming their Take Cover Tour in mid-September with dates across North America.