The Hollywood Bowl is beginning to fill out its 2027 summer calendar, with The B-52s, The Roots and a concert celebrating 40 years of “The Legend of Zelda” among the first events announced Tuesday, Nov. 10.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s initial lineup also includes the Hollywood Bowl the British comedy show “Taskmaster,” the return of Smooth Summer Jazz with Dave Koz & Friends and performances by the orchestra under conductors Gustavo Dudamel and Anna Handler. The full season will be announced in February.
The B-52s will headline the Bowl’s annual July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with three performances July 2-4. The band, known for songs including “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster” and “Roam,” will be joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, for the holiday program.
Hip-hop group The Roots will return June 25 for the fourth edition of “A Roots Picnic Experience,” bringing the band’s festival-inspired concert format back to Los Angeles. Additional performers have not yet been announced.
The Bowl will also host two performances of “Taskmaster Live On Stage” on June 22-23, marking the British comedy series’ debut at the venue. The show, based on the television competition in which comedians complete a series of unusual challenges, has already sold out both dates.
Video game music will also have a place on the summer calendar with “The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert” on Aug. 25. The performance, celebrating four decades of Nintendo’s adventure game franchise, is also sold out.
On Aug. 29, saxophonist Dave Koz will return for the annual Smooth Summer Jazz concert, joined by guests who have yet to be announced.
The 2027 season will also mark the beginning of composer Joe Hisaishi’s residency with the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford. Hisaishi, whose scores for Studio Ghibli films include “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke,” will serve as composer-in-residence for the two outdoor venues.
Dudamel, who concluded his tenure as the LA Phil’s music and artistic director in 2026, is scheduled to return to conduct the orchestra during the summer season. Handler, the orchestra’s conductor-in-residence, will also lead performances. Specific programs and dates for both conductors have not yet been announced.
The Hollywood Bowl’s opening night is scheduled for June 5, with the orchestra continuing its traditional Tuesday and Thursday classical music programs throughout the summer. Additional jazz, film music and popular music performances will be announced as part of the full lineup.
Tickets for “A Roots Picnic Experience” go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. Subscription renewals are available beginning Nov. 10, while new subscriptions open Feb. 17. Single-ticket sales at the Hollywood Bowl box office begin May 4, 2027.
Tickets and information for all shows are available at hollywoodbowl.com.