What surprised me when bringing Studio Ghibli in Concert to life

I have to be honest – a year ago, I had never heard of Joe Hisaishi. Then, Manu and I were discussing the possibility of creating a Studio Ghibli in Concert project, and I thought: "Okay, why not?" I wasn't prepared for what was about to happen.

The first time I delved a bit deeper into the project and put on "One Summer's Day" from Spirited Away, I stopped whatever I was doing. That melody... there was something about those simple, childlike notes that completely hit me. I had no idea what I was listening to, but I knew it was special.

But it was only when I started discussing the project with fans that I realized what kind of goldmine I had found. When I mention "Studio Ghibli in Concert," a lot of people's faces light up instantly. They start humming melodies. They tell me about their favorite scenes, their childhood memories, how these films helped them through difficult times. I was amazed – this completely transcends typical concert demographics.

Their enthusiasm was contagious. I slowly began to understand why these melodies are so powerful. Hisaishi's music is the bridge between the child you were and the adult you've become. His melodies are deceptively simple, but they carry the weight of entire lifetimes. They make you remember what it felt like to believe in magic, while acknowledging the complexity of growing up.

As a promoter, I've worked with all kinds of music, but I've never encountered anything quite like the audience response to this project. People share their stories with each other as if they were old friends. They talk about how My Neighbor Totoro helped them as a child, how Spirited Away gave them courage during difficult times. There's something universal here that I had never experienced before.

The tribute format with a full symphony orchestra feels perfect for this music because it's not about recreating a film experience – it's about celebrating the emotional journey these compositions take you on. When you hear The Path of the Wind or Princess Mononoke Theme performed purely by the orchestra, the music stands entirely on its own merit. You realize you're not just listening to film scores; you're experiencing some of the most beautiful contemporary classical music ever written.

We are about to announce a new concert on 28 September in Amsterdam and it can't come soon enough. I've evolved from someone who had never heard of Joe Hisaishi to someone who can't wait to experience that moment when the orchestra strikes the first notes of the Totoro theme. I want to see how a whole audience collectively remembers what it felt like to be eight years old and believe in forest spirits.

This project has become important to me because it taught me that the best discoveries often come unexpectedly. Sometimes you have to let yourself be surprised by something you've never experienced before. Studio Ghibli in Concert - A tribute to the music of Joe Hisaishi isn't just a concert – it's a collective emotional experience that reminds us why we fell in love with stories that touched us as children, and why they're still important now that we're adults.

I can't wait to share this discovery journey with everyone who will be at one of the concerts this fall in Belgium, the Netherlands or France. Because if someone who only first heard Joe Hisaishi a year ago can be moved like this, imagine what it will do to you.

The countdown begins now.

If you want to find out more, here is all the info.