Danny Elfman with the Colorado Symphony at Red Rocks

Talk about a dream come true! Danny Elfman performing the songs of Tim Burton with the Colorado Symphony at Red Rocks. Oh my gosh. I never thought he would leave LA, much less come to perform in our backyard.

The Colorado Symphony gave an amazing performance (of course!), filling every inch of the amphitheater with sound that felt both nostalgic and fresh. Hearing those familiar Burton themes under the open sky gave the music new life – eerie yet beautiful, I assume just as Elfman intended? The visuals of Tim Burton‘s sketches from the films on the big screens added to the atmosphere, weaving film clips and live footage into a darkly whimsical spectacle. Conductor Christopher Dragon was dressed for the occasion and was also a joy to watch and he lead the musicians around for the dramatic and whimsical moments of Burton’s music.

But I have to be honest – perhaps my only complaint was our lack of understanding that Danny himself would not be performing until the last part of the show. Fans did get a little impatient waiting, but once Jack Skellington’s real life embodiment appeared on the stage, all was forgiven.

Elfman, ever the showman, brought his quirky charisma to the stage, blending his classical roots with the punk energy that defined his early Oingo Boingo days. His voice is still so strong and distinctive. His face so expressive. It was another bucketlist item to finally see him perform and get to photograph the night.

Movies featured included Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Batman, Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands, and others. Of course the crescendo happened for The Nightmare Before Christmas, with Elfman singing for the last 30-40 minutes of the show.

Throughout his performance, Elfman balanced theatrical flair with genuine connection, clearly relishing the moment. His collaborations with Tim Burton have shaped decades of pop culture, and hearing them performed live felt like a celebration of that creative partnership. By the time the encore rolled around, Red Rocks was buzzing with applause and awe.

Danny Elfman – Denver Concert Photos

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