There are few things better than a warm summer night at the Hollywood Bowl—unless, of course, that night involves Earth, Wind & Fire lighting up the stage like it’s 1979. The legendary group delivered an electric, joy-filled set that had die-hard fans and newcomers alike on their feet from start to finish.
Running through a powerhouse lineup of hits like “September,” “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “Shining Star,” the band proved they’ve lost none of their magic. Three original members—Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson—anchored the evening with a kind of polished exuberance that somehow still felt fresh. Bailey’s falsetto is unreal. Like, how-is-he-doing-that unreal. His voice soared across the Bowl, stopping people mid-sway just to take it in.
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Even while recovering, Verdine White made his presence known, stepping out on stage with that unmistakable energy and laying down bass lines that shook the hillside. And Ralph Johnson, calm and cool as ever, kept everything grounded with vocals and percussion that reminded you why this group has lasted for decades.
Formed in 1969, Earth, Wind & Fire have certainly cycled through members, but the sound? The vibe? Still fully intact. They’re a band that doesn’t just play their catalog—they celebrate it, with every note as vibrant and funky as ever. Honestly, you could do a lot worse than spending an evening with these legends at the Bowl.
The night opened with a set from the LA Philharmonic, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, who also backed the band during their main performance. It added an extra shimmer to an already spectacular evening. Not to mention, the night concluded with a spectacular fireworks show that only the Bowl can provide. Set to some American orchestral classics, the sky lit up just as brightly as Earth, Wind & Fire lit up the stage.
You can still catch them July 3 & 4th! Go to www.hollywoodbowl.com for more information and for tickets.
And if you’re making summer plans, heads up: Diana Ross will be gracing the Bowl June 25th and 26th, Alabama Shakes hit the stage August 13th, and don’t miss Cynthia Erivo taking on the role of the Messiah themself in Jesus Christ Superstar, running August 1–3.
