Music
What is Red Bull Symphonic?
Red Bull Symphonic is the place where genres collide to make a unique musical experience. Here’s all you need to know about the global concept that’s taken the music world by storm.
From US rap and hip-hop to Austrian drum 'n 'bass and South African Amapiano, Red Bull Symphonic has created the most unexpected combinations over the years. By merging a contemporary artist with a classical music director, music is transformed into fascinating pieces, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved: the artist, the classical music director, and the audience.
As this unique event is taking the musical world by storm, let’s take a deeper look at what Red Bull Symphonic actually is.
Superb vibes at Red Bull Symphonic with John Legend and Metro Boomin
© Greg Noire/Red Bull Content Pool
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A collision of two musical worlds
The concept is as innovative as it is simple: merging modern music with the classical world to create something new and exciting. By rearranging the artist’s repertoire into classical pieces, Red Bull Symphonic creates a unique musical collision and sound. On top of that, having a modern-style artist perform together with a full symphonic orchestra doesn’t just create an insane wow-factor - it also brings people together from different musical backgrounds, musicians and audience alike, in the magic that is live music.
A musical clash between two worlds to create a new form of magic
© Hesham Marcelo/Red Bull Content Pool
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What is a symphonic orchestra?
Experiencing the sound of a full symphonic orchestra is very powerful: the physical vibrations of the instruments, its all-surrounding sound. But what actually is the difference between a orchestra and a symphonic orchestra? Well, a symphonic orchestra is the largest type of orchestra and is composed of strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. It’s often defined as an orchestra that has both the number of players and types of instruments required to play a symphony. Seated in their instrumental families, strings being one section and woodwinds another, it allows the conductor to balance the orchestra’s sound better and create a more cohesive overall sound. A must-hear experience for any musical fan.
Kabza De Small and Ofentse Pitse in South Africa
© Mpumelelo Macu/Red Bull Content Pool
Maestro Jason Ikeem Rodgers leads Orchestra Noir in Atlanta
© Ian Witlen/Red Bull Content Pool
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How are modern songs turned into classical music?
However, before the symphonic orchestra can start rehearsing the fresh Red Bull Symphonic repertoire, the artist’s songs have to be rearranged into classical pieces. This is done by one or several music arrangers from the classical world. A music arranger reimagines an existing composition, adapting the instruments, voices, rhythms and tempo to create a new sound for a piece of music. Or, as in this case, a library of music.
Watch The Making of Red Bull Symphonic with Metro Boomin to find out more:
12 min
The Making of Red Bull Symphonic with Metro Boomin
Metro Boomin reimagines his biggest hits with a full orchestra and special guests at Red Bull Symphonic in LA.
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Red Bull Symphonic around the globe
From Egypt to Australia, from Greece to Jordan, Red Bull Symphonic has left audiences in awe all over the world. Take the iconic show with record producer Metro Boomin, who reimagined his biggest hits together with conductor Anthony Parnther and a full orchestra in Los Angeles, or rapper Rick Ross’s collaboration with Orchestra Noir - the first Red Bull Symphonic on US soil.
The cool thing about this event is that it takes a music genre close to the local audience’s hearts and turns it on its head. Like Austrian drum ’n’ bass duo Camo & Krooked who teamed up with composer Christian Kolonovits for a journey into the unknown. Who knew that combination would create such a magical clash? See 5 of the most Iconic Red Bull Symphonic moments here.
When rap meets classical music - an unforgettable experience
© Daniel Zuliani/Red Bull Content Pool
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Red Bull Symphonic 2025 tour dates
Country
City
Artist
Genre
Date
Toronto
Shoe-gaze
28 Feb
Stockholm
Swedish pop
10 Apr
Sydney
Pop
16-17 May
Johannesburg
Amapiano
7-8 June
Vienna
DnB
20 June
Vienna
DnB
18-19 Sep
Can't see a Red Bull Symphonic in your country? Don't worry more dates will be announced throughout the year - keep up with the latest here.
Marwan Pablo and Nayer Nagui command the stage in Cairo
© Hesham Marcelo/Red Bull Content Pool