If being spooked, mystified and left hanging to solve cryptic messages conjures any appeal, look no further than Oscar-nominated director, David Lynch. With an impressive body of work behind him, including cult classic TV show Twin Peaks, surrealist horror film Eraserhead, and his last major work, Inland Empire, Lynchians celebrated a one-night-only event in his honor. "The Music of David Lynch" doubled as a tribute concert, as well as a fundraiser for his meditation non-profit David Lynch Foundation.
The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles congregated Duran Duran, the Flaming Lips, Moby and other diverse artists to perform songs inspired and included in Lynch's esteemed albums and films. A sold-out crowd of roughly 1,600 people first learned about medititation through a promotional video endorsed by celebrities such as Paul McCartney--soon after, the night quickly switched its gears to music.
As expected, 69-year-old Lynch maintained his eerie persona whilst brushing past reporters and only taking time to snap a few photos before he uttered, "We're going to hear some music," and ran on his way, according to Rolling Stone.
Composer Angelo Badalementi kicked off the night with an unnerving performance of the "Laura Palmer Theme," a creepy collection of notes memorized all too well by Twin Peaks fanatics. Sky Ferreira took on a deeply emotional rendition of "Blue Velvet", from the film of the same name, while Rebekha Del Rio recieved a standing ovation for her performance of "Llorando", the same song she sung in Lynch's film Mulholland Drive.
Wayne Coyne and the Flaming Lips tackled a crossover between Eraserhead's instrumental score and musical elements from the 1980 film, The Elephant Man while adding dialogue to the mix. English rock band Duran Duran previously worked with David Lynch while shooting a concert film and was the last band to perform a collection of songs such as "The Chauffeur," "Ordinary World" and "Hungry Like the Wolf."
Other musical acts included the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O and My Morning Jacket's Jim James, noted by Pitchfork.
As posted on Instagram, Lynch closed the concert with some familiar and invigorating words. "May auspiciousness be seen everywhere, may suffering belong to no one," and with a raise of his index and ring finger in the form of a peace sign, the night concluded.
