Music
Red Bull Symphonic: Beyond The Music
How Kelvin Momo and Adam Howard Are Preparing for Red Bull Symphonic 2025
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For most artists, preparing for a live show is a matter of rehearsals, setlists, and timing. But when you’re bringing together two musical worlds—each with its own tempo, structure, and language—rehearsal becomes reinvention. That’s exactly what Kelvin Momo and Adam Howard are navigating in the lead-up to Red Bull Symphonic 2025, where Amapiano meets orchestra in a one-of-a-kind sonic experience.
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From Soulful Loops to Symphonic Scores
“I’ve never worked like this before,” Kelvin admits. “In a normal performance, I’d just feel it out—build the vibe, respond to the room. But with this, you’ve got structure, arrangement, a whole team of musicians depending on you. It’s big.”
Kelvin Momo at Red Bull Symphonic shoot in Johannesburg
© Mpumelelo Macu / Red Bull Content Pool
Momo, known for his atmospheric, deeply musical “private school Amapiano” sound, is typically behind the decks or in studio—working instinctively, often solo. This time, he’s part of something more intricate: 17 of his tracks have been reworked, note by note, into orchestral compositions. For a producer who often operates on feel, the shift has been massive.
“I’ve had to study the score,” he says. “I’m not just rocking up and pressing play. I’ve had to learn how the instruments interact, where the dynamics live, how to stretch or pull back without throwing off the whole orchestra. It’s made me respect music in a whole new way.”
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Adam Howard: From Baton to Beatmap
On the other side of the podium is Adam Howard, a conductor and composer with decades of classical and crossover experience. But even for him, the Red Bull Symphonic brief pushed creative boundaries.
“This isn’t just arranging some pop tunes for strings,” he says. “Kelvin’s music is textured. It’s patient. Some tracks don’t resolve until the 12-minute mark. That’s not something orchestras are used to.”
Howard’s preparation has meant more than just writing parts for brass and strings. It’s been about listening differently. “You have to understand where the tension lies in Kelvin’s tracks. Sometimes, the build is subtle—a single chord progression repeating, shifting almost imperceptibly. So I’ve had to think, ‘What do I layer on top to support that tension, without breaking it?’”
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Rehearsal Becomes Translation
One of the biggest challenges? Language—musical and otherwise.
“We’re coming from two completely different disciplines,” says Howard. “I’m used to notes on paper. Kelvin’s used to stems and grooves. So rehearsal becomes a translation session. I’m saying ‘fortissimo,’ he’s saying ‘make it breathe.’ And we meet somewhere in the middle.”
Adam Howard conducting at Red Bull Symphonic 2025
© Mpumelelo Macu / Red Bull Content Pool
Kelvin agrees. “At first I was intimidated. I didn’t know what all the technical terms meant. But Adam’s been patient. He’s helped me hear my own music in a new way. Now I can say, ‘Let’s bring the violins in here,’ or ‘I think the horns should wait till later.’ I never thought I’d be able to speak orchestra.”
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Live, But Locked In
Another major shift for both artists has been how tightly rehearsed the show must be. Unlike a club set where timing can flex and evolve, a symphonic performance is locked. Everyone has to be on the same beat—whether you’re playing a timpani or triggering a synth pad.
“This is one of the most rehearsed performances I’ve ever done,” says Kelvin. “We’re syncing click tracks, working with an MD, going through every transition over and over. It’s meticulous—but it’s also kind of beautiful.”
A Performance That Pushes Boundaries—and Artists
For both artists, Red Bull Symphonic isn’t just a gig. It’s a learning curve. A career milestone. A chance to show what happens when two seemingly different genres don’t just collide—but collaborate.
“I think it’s changed me,” Kelvin reflects. “I’m already thinking about how I can apply this to my future albums. Maybe even do a full symphonic release. It’s opened my mind.”
MORE ABOUT RED BULL SYMPHONIC
Howard nods in agreement. “These kinds of projects stretch you. They remind you that music isn’t fixed. It’s fluid. And when you bring people together who are willing to listen, that’s when the magic happens.”
All three nights of Red Bull Symphonic are sold out, but stay tuned to our social channels to see how you can view content from the night.
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