LOS ANGELES – Two of contemporary music and film composition’s most celebrated figures, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, known for their work in Nine Inch Nails and as Oscar-winning film composers, have announced a groundbreaking new single-day music festival. Dubbed “Future Ruins,” the event is specifically curated to shine a spotlight on the often-unsung heroes of cinematic and television soundscapes: their composers.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Los Angeles, California, “Future Ruins” promises a unique experience for enthusiasts of music and film alike. The festival is designed to feature live performances of iconic and influential film and television scores, bringing the composers themselves to the forefront.
A Vision for Cinematic Sound
The concept for “Future Ruins” emerges from Reznor and Ross’s own deep engagement with the world of scoring. Having won Academy Awards for their work on films like “The Social Network” and “Soul,” the duo understands the intricate craft and profound impact that music has on visual storytelling. This festival represents a direct effort to celebrate this art form in a live setting, offering audiences a chance to hear these intricate works performed by their creators.
The inaugural lineup for “Future Ruins” is remarkably diverse and features a roster of over a dozen esteemed composers who have shaped the sonic identity of countless films and television shows across genres and eras. These artists will perform their compositions live across three distinct stages throughout the day.
The Illustrious Lineup
The announced list of performers is headlined by several titans of the scoring world. Among the most anticipated acts are Danny Elfman, renowned for his distinctive style and iconic work on films from Tim Burton’s universe to blockbusters like “Spider-Man”; John Carpenter, the legendary filmmaker and composer whose minimalist, synth-driven scores are as crucial to his horror films as the visuals; and the iconic Italian progressive rock band Goblin, celebrated for their terrifying and influential scores for Dario Argento’s horror masterpieces like “Suspiria” and “Dawn of the Dead.”
The festival will also feature performances by other highly respected contemporary composers, including Hildur Guðnadóttir, the Academy Award-winning composer of “Joker” and “Chernobyl”; Mark Mothersbaugh, co-founder of Devo and prolific composer for film and television, known for works like “The Royal Tenenbaums” and the “Rugrats” series; and Academy Award-winning filmmaker and musician Questlove, who is slated to perform the score works of the late, legendary soul musician and composer Curtis Mayfield.
A particularly noteworthy performance will come from the acclaimed composer Howard Shore, who will perform his haunting and atmospheric score for David Cronenberg’s controversial 1996 film “Crash.”
The expansive lineup further comprises a range of acclaimed and innovative composers from various disciplines and backgrounds. Attendees can anticipate performances from Cristobal Tapia de Veer (“The White Lotus”), the collaborative duo Ben Salisbury & Geoff Barrow (“Ex Machina”), Isobel Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag,” “Emma.”), Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (composers for “Stranger Things”), experimental sound artist Robert Aki Aubrey Lowe (“Candyman”), interdisciplinary composer Tamar-Kali (“Mudbound”), Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard (“BlacKkKlansman,” “Da 5 Bloods”), and German pianist and composer Volker Bertelmann, also known as Hauschka (“Lion,” “All Quiet on the Western Front”).
Venue and Ticketing Details
The choice of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center as the venue provides ample space for the festival’s three stages and anticipated attendance, offering a unique setting for this auditory and visual celebration.
Tickets for the “Future Ruins” festival are scheduled to go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, starting at 12 PM Pacific Time (PT). Both General Admission and VIP tickets will be available for purchase. Prospective attendees can find more information and purchase tickets exclusively through the festival’s official website, futureruins.com.
“Future Ruins” represents a significant new platform for recognizing the artistry and impact of film and television composers, offering a rare opportunity for audiences to experience these vital soundscapes performed live by the creators themselves. The debut event is set to be a landmark occasion for the appreciation of scoring as a distinct and powerful musical genre.
