Concert Review: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard with Chicago Philharmonic

An Orchestral Adventure Under the Stars

On a clear summer evening at Ravinia’s Pavilion, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard delivered a breathtaking performance with the Chicago Philharmonic, under the expert direction of conductor Sarah Hicks. It was an evening where ambitious experimental rock met orchestral elegance—an unforgettable collaboration.

The show featured a two-part arrangement:

Set 1: Phantom Island Album (in its entirety)

The band and orchestra performed every track from their expansive new album, Phantom Island (released June 13, 2025), transforming their most orchestral-focused work into a lush, immersive soundscape. Songs included: Phantom Island, Deadstick, Lonely Cosmos, Eternal Return, Panpsych, Spacesick, Aerodynamic, Sea of Doubt, Silent Spirit, and Grow Wings and Fly.

Set 2: Extended Orchestral-Rock Hybrid

Following the album, the band and orchestra boldly merged styles through tracks like The River (Parts I, II, IV), Crumbling Castle, This Thing, Mars for the Rich, Dragon, and closing with Iron Lung.

Energy on the Lawn

Despite—or perhaps because of—the pairing with an orchestra, the crowd was on their feet for the entire show. Between the swirling symphonic textures and the band’s warp-speed transitions from orchestral crescendos to rock jams, fans danced passionately on the lawn, swept up in the electric momentum.

Final Thoughts

This Ravinia performance married King Gizzard’s inventive rock ethos with orchestral grandeur in a sum greater than its parts. The Phantom Island album felt alive, blooming across both classical and psychedelic dimensions. Conducted by Sarah Hicks and backed by the Chicago Philharmonic, the band delivered a masterclass in collaboration, experimentation, and pure, head-nodding energy. It’s a show that will be talked about long after the final chord faded into the night.

More photos at King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

All Photos by Margolin Photography