Howard Shore, Live Orchestras & A Full ‘Lord of the Rings’ Screening—This Festival Is Serious Business
London’s about to sound a whole lot more cinematic. The London Soundtrack Festival 2025, the city’s first festival dedicated entirely to film, TV, and games music, is taking over from March 19 to March 26. Think legendary composers, full orchestras, live screenings, and iconic scores filling some of London’s greatest venues.
Headlining the festival? Howard Shore, the genius behind The Lord of the Rings soundtrack, will be taking center stage. But that’s just the beginning. Expect live performances, composer Q&As, gaming music concerts, and a lineup that will make any soundtrack lover’s head explode (in a good way).
Howard Shore Headlines an Epic Lineup
The man, the myth, the composer Howard Shore is headlining the festival’s Gala Concert on March 22, where the London Philharmonic Orchestra will perform his most iconic works. But that’s not all.
Legendary director David Cronenberg will present Shore with the inaugural Gunning Inspiration Award and join him for an exclusive In Conversation event about their 40-year collaboration. Fans of Crash and Dead Ringers will also get a chance to see the films introduced by the duo.
And for the ultimate marathon? Shore himself will introduce a back-to-back screening of The Lord of the Rings trilogy on March 23. That’s nearly 12 hours of pure cinematic glory, with every scene made even more epic by Shore’s presence.
The Games Music Concert You Didn’t Know You Needed
Gaming soundtracks have officially entered high-art territory, and London Soundtrack Festival is giving them the spotlight they deserve. The Games Music: State of the Art concert on March 23 at The Roundhouse is bringing the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to perform music from:
🎮 Baldur’s Gate 3
🎮 Death Stranding
🎮 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
🎮 Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
🎮 Metal Gear Solid
🎮 Battlefield 2042
And that’s just the tip of the orchestral iceberg. Expect live performances, signing sessions, and panel talks with some of the biggest composers in gaming, including Harry Gregson-Williams, Ludvig Forssell, and Stephen Barton.
Live Orchestra Meets the Big Screen
Ever wanted to watch a movie with a live orchestra scoring every scene? London Soundtrack Festival is making it happen. Some of the biggest live-to-film events include:
🎬 The Silence of the Lambs (with post-show Q&A featuring Howard Shore) – March 24
🎬 Modern Times (with Charlie Chaplin’s grandson leading a pre-show talk) – March 19
🎬 Eighth Grade (with a live chamber performance of Anna Meredith’s score) – March 20
Because honestly, once you’ve watched a film with a full orchestra playing in sync, regular cinema will never feel the same.
Film Music, But Make It Pop
For those who love film scores with a side of sing-along moments, Anne Dudley is bringing a Great Movie Songs concert to The Roundhouse on March 25. Featuring Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys), Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters), Omar, Louise Dearman, and Monica Mancini, the show includes classics like:
🎤 Everybody’s Talkin’ – Midnight Cowboy
🎤 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – High Society
🎤 Up Where We Belong – An Officer and a Gentleman
And if you’re still obsessed with Saltburn? Jake Shears and Neil Tennant will perform Pet Shop Boys’ “Rent” live.
Why This Festival Is a Must for Music and Film Fans
London Soundtrack Festival 2025 isn’t just about hearing your favorite scores—it’s about experiencing them like never before. Whether you’re into epic orchestras, behind-the-scenes conversations, gaming soundtracks, or just vibing to classic movie songs, this festival has something for everyone.
Tickets are already on sale. If you love film, TV, or gaming soundtracks, this isn’t just another festival—it’s the soundtrack of your year.
For the full schedule and ticket details, visit www.londonsoundtrackfestival.com.
