Hans Zimmer: The ultimate fan’s guide

Hans Zimmer
Credit: Frank Embacher

Hans Zimmer, the genius behind Hollywood’s most unforgettable scores, is back on tour with an electrifying live experience to share with his fans. From “Inception” to “Dune”, Zimmer is preparing to transform his soundscapes into epic concert experiences.

Five-time Grammy Award winner Hans Zimmer is one of the most influential film composers of the modern era, renowned for his innovative blending of orchestra with electronic soundscapes. Zimmer was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and rose to prominence in the late 1980s with his Oscar-nominated score for “Rain Man”.

Since then, he has composed music for over 150 films, including “The Lion King”, for which he earned an Academy Award. He also composed songs for Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight Trilogy”, “Inception”, “Interstellar”, and Dennis Villeneuve’s “Dune.

“Zimmer’s music is not just cymbals and drums; it defines the emotional tone of films and has become iconic in its own right. He has won two Oscars, five Grammys, and two Golden Globes and is currently gearing up to perform at some of the most prestigious venues around the world. This article is your guide to Hans Zimmer’s highly anticipated world tour.

 

The album/tour

Hans Zimmer’s 2025-2026 tour is closely tied to his most recent album, “Hans Zimmer Live”, which was released in 2023. The album is a compilation of his greatest hits, featuring new arrangements tailored for a live concert setting.

The tracklist features suites from many of his most celebrated scores, including “Dune”, “Inception”, and “Wonder Woman 1984”. The album is performed by Zimmer’s 20-piece band, orchestra, and choir.

What makes this album special is Zimmer’s reinterpretation of his works. Rather than performing them precisely as they appear in the films, he expands them with fresh arrangements, unexpected solos, and heightened intensity. For instance, “Gladiator’s” suite includes extended vocals by Lisa Gerrard. “Hans Zimmer Live” is a preview of the cinematic concert experience awaiting fans in 2025-2026.

Zimmer has several tours scheduled for 2025 and 2026, including the European “Hans Zimmer Live—The Next Level” tour and a North American/European tour for “The World of Hans Zimmer: A New Dimension”.

The 67-year-old’s “The Next Level” tour promises to be one of the most ambitious musical journeys of his career, carrying his cinematic soundscapes across Europe through late 2025 and into 2026.

The tour kicks off on October 12, 2025, in Oberhausen at the Rudolf Weber-ARENA, before sweeping across Germany with multi-night performances in Cologne, Munich, Berlin, and several other German cities.

The journey then extends across Europe, where he will play at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle and Prague’s O2 Arena, with significant stops in London, Paris, and Manchester to round off the 2025 leg.

The spectacle resumes in 2026, beginning at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome on February 27 and 28. He will then travel north to Oslo, Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. The tour then circles back into Germany and Eastern Europe with Hannover, Kraków, and Dortmund, before heading west to Antwerp and returning to Paris for two nights at the Accor Arena. The final stretch takes Zimmer’s music to Southern Europe, with stops in Lyon, Barcelona, and Madrid, before concluding in Lisbon on April 1, 2026.

“Hans Zimmer Live” places the composer himself at the centre; “The World of Hans Zimmer: A New Dimension” offers a slightly different approach.

Here, the emphasis is on orchestral purity, where Zimmer steps back to let the music speak for itself. However, it is curated by Zimmer but performed by world-class musicians, including multiple Grammy nominee Matt Dunkley, the Odessa Orchestra & Friends, and the extraordinary Nairobi Chamber Chorus from Kenya.

“The World of Hans Zimmer: A New Dimension” will bring the German composer’s music to North America and Europe. The first performance takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on October 4, followed by shows at San Diego’s Pechanga Arena and Oakland Arena.

From there, the music moves through cities in the US before crossing into Canada at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum. These shows mark a rare opportunity for American and Canadian fans to experience Zimmer’s magic live.

The tour returns to Europe, where Zimmer’s music enjoys a loyal and passionate audience. The journey begins in Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena on November 1 before heading to France, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. “A New Dimension” is Zimmer’s legacy but also a reminder of film music’s rightful place alongside classical masterpieces in the concert repertoire.

Hans Zimmer
Credit: Frank Embacher

How to get tickets:

Visit renowned and trusted ticketing websites like Seatsnet.com to buy tickets for Zimmer’s shows.

Check the availability and price of tickets for each date, as prices may vary.

Follow Hans Zimmer’s social media accounts and website for the latest information and updates on upcoming concerts and ticket availability.

While following Zimmer’s handles for information, ensure that you check Seatsnet.com regularly for changes in ticket availability for his concerts.

Additionally, it is essential to purchase tickets promptly, as they often sell out quickly.

 

Possible setlist

The setlist for both tours will typically evolve with each show, but fans can expect a mix of his most celebrated works and newer additions from “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two”.

Here are a few likely tracks for the setlist:

“Cornfield Chase” – Interstellar

“Time” – Inception

“Nothing I’ve Ever Known” – Spirit

“Paul’s Dream’ from Dune

“Dream is Collapsing” – Inception

“Lux Aeterna” from Requiem for a Dream (or Inception)

“Now We Are Free” from Gladiator

“Che Guevara/To Wu Kill” from The Thin Red Line or another epic piece

“Mountains” from The Last Samurai

 

The ultimate fans’ guide

Hans Zimmer’s upcoming concerts are a cinematic and emotional journey that requires preparation.

Here is a guide to help you prepare to step into the very worlds Zimmer has crafted through sounds.

The first step is to secure early tickets for his concerts on Seatsnet.com. His concerts often sell out within days, particularly in cities like London, Paris, and Los Angeles, where demand is highest.

Here’s an inside tip: when choosing seats, consider that mid-arena placements often provide the richest balance of visuals and sound. While front-row seating offers proximity to the musicians, it can sometimes miss the sweeping surround sound that Zimmer carefully designs for his performances.

In the weeks leading up to the concert, fans can heighten their anticipation by immersing themselves in Zimmer’s music and the films it accompanies. Rewatching “Inception”, “Gladiator”, “Interstellar”, or “Dune” allows the themes to resonate even more powerfully when heard live.

Imagine hearing “Time” while recalling the dreamlike collapse of Nolan’s film or experiencing the “Dune” suite while remembering Paul Atreides’ journey; this transforms a concert into something deeply personal.

The live arrangements are not carbon copies of the film scores; instead, Zimmer reimagines them, often extending pieces, layering unexpected solos, and adding theatrical intensity. Entering the concert with those cinematic memories fresh in mind elevates the performance.

The atmosphere of a Zimmer concert is communal, and many fans choose to reflect that through their outfits or accessories.

While there is no official dress code, don’t be surprised to see fans wearing subtle nods to their favourite films, such as a Batman emblem for “The Dark Knight” or pirate-themed clothing for “Pirates of the Caribbean”. All these uplift the mood of each show and create an atmosphere where strangers can connect over their love for cinema and music.

 

Dates and venues for “Hans Zimmer Live: The Next Level”

2025 DATES AND VENUES:

October 12: Oberhausen – Rudolf Weber-ARENA

 

October 14-15: Cologne – LANXESS arena

 

October 18-19: Munich – Olympiahalle München

 

October 21: Leipzig – QUARTERBACK Immobilien ARENA

 

October 23-24: Berlin – Uber Arena

 

October 26-27: Hamburg – Barclays Arena

 

October 29-30: Stuttgart – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle

 

November 1: Düsseldorf – PSD Bank Dome

 

November 3: Frankfurt am Main – Festhalle Frankfurt

 

November 6: Mannheim – SAP ARENA

 

November 8-9: Vienna – Wiener Stadthalle-Halle D

 

November 11: Prague – O2 Arena

 

November 12: Budapest – MVM Dome

 

November 15-16: Zurich – Hallenstadion Zürich

 

November 18: Brussels – ING Arena

 

November 19: Rotterdam – Ahoy Arena

 

November 21: Paris – La Defense Arena

 

November 23: Leeds – First Direct Arena

 

November 24: Glasgow – OVO Hydro

 

November 26-27: Dublin – 3Arena

 

November 30; December 1: London – The O2

 

December 2: Manchester – Co-op Live

 

2026 DATES AND VENUES

 

February 27-28: Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome

 

March 4: Oslo-Fornebu – Unity Arena

 

March 6: Gothenburg – Scandinavium

 

March 8: Stockholm – Avicii Arena

 

March 10: Copenhagen – Royal Arena

 

March 12: Hannover – ZAG Arena

 

March 14-15: Kraków – Tauron Arena Kraków

 

March 17: Dortmund – Westfalenhalle

 

March 19: Antwerp – Sportpaleis Antwerp

 

March 21-22: Paris – Accor Arena

 

March 24: Lyon – LDLC Arena

 

March 26: Valencia – Roig Arena

 

March 27: Barcelona – Palau Sant Jordi

 

March 29: Madrid – WiZink Center

 

March 31; April 1: Lisbon – MEO Arena

 

“The World of Hans Zimmer: A New Dimension” dates and venues: Zimmer begins this magical run in North America before heading to Europe for more performances. Secure your tickets at Seatsnet.com and catch the German composer live at any of these venues.

2025 dates and venues:

October 4: HONDA Center – California

 

October 5: Pechanga Arena – California

 

October 7: Oakland Arena – California

 

October 9: Moda Center – Oregon

 

October 10: Angel of the Winds Arena – Washington

 

October 11: Pacific Coliseum – Vancouver

 

2026 DATES AND VENUES:

 

November 1: Ahoy Arena – Rotterdam

 

November 2: Accor Arena – Paris

 

November 4: Arkéa Arena – Bordeaux

 

November 5: Le Zénith – Toulouse

 

November 8: LANXESS Arena – Cologne

 

November 9: Zénith Strasbourg Europe – Strasbourg

 

November 10: Le Halle Tony Garnier – Lyon

 

November 12: Westfalenhalle – Dortmund

 

November 13: ING Arena – Brussels

 

November 15: Hallenstadion – Zurich

 

 

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and host of the XS Noize Podcast, where he interviews top music artists and emerging talent. Known for insightful, in-depth conversations, Mark brings a passionate, fan-first approach to music journalism. Favourite album: Achtung Baby by U2. Follow on X: @mark_xsnoize.

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