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This fall, horror fans across the U.S. are in for a blood-soaked treat as Evil Dead In Concert brings Sam Raimi’s legendary cult classic to life in an entirely new way. Produced by Black Ink Presents, in partnership with Terrapin Station Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment, the tour launched September 22 in Buffalo, New York. It will slash its way through 50 cities—including a special three-night run in Los Angeles over Halloween.
The event pairs a newly restored screening of Raimi’s Evil Dead with a live ensemble performing Joe LoDuca’s original score in real time. Known for his orchestral but experimental sound, LoDuca’s music combines eerie strings, pounding percussion, and screeching effects that perfectly capture the supernatural dread of Raimi’s vision. Watching Ash (Bruce Campbell) wield his chainsaw while the strings scream in unison creates an immersive horror experience unlike anything else.
The Legacy of Evil Dead
Since its release in 1981, The Evil Dead has become one of the most influential cult horror films of all time. Its inventive camerawork, unrelenting gore, and scrappy energy turned Raimi, Campbell, and LoDuca into genre legends. For LoDuca, it was his very first film score—an assignment that would ultimately launch a career spanning Emmy-winning television work and multiple collaborations with Raimi.
“I am so excited for audiences around the country to join us on an intense, aural descent into hell with this beautiful score and all its madness,” LoDuca said in the press announcement.
Screams Meet Strings: Joe LoDuca Speaks
In a recent Q&A, LoDuca reflected on how this show breathes new life into the music he first composed more than 40 years ago.
iHorror: When you first scored Evil Dead in 1981, did you ever imagine the music would live on and be performed in concert decades later?
Joe LoDuca: How could I? Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert were this band of merry men on a mission to make a film that they could get into theaters. They were having so much fun, and they let me join their band.
iHorror: What were some of your earliest inspirations when creating the soundscape for Evil Dead?
Joe LoDuca: I cobbled together what was available. I went inside the piano. My friend Larry Fratangelo was the percussionist for Parliament Funkadelic, and he had all kinds of noisemakers. I rented what was then one of the first polyphonic synths, the Prophet 5, to fill out my fake orchestra.
I didn’t know much about film music. Sam had all the soundtracks. To me, they were just referencing classical composers.
iHorror: Can you describe your creative process? How do you approach scoring horror versus other genres you’ve worked in?
Joe LoDuca: I love horror music that is theme-based. I try to find new sounds that resonate with the story. Then I try to scare myself.
iHorror: How does it feel to see Evil Dead in Concert bring your music to life in a live setting with an orchestra?
Joe LoDuca: There is no question that for me, EVIL DEAD is the gift that keeps on giving. I love the idea that an audience can see the bows moving in unison and hear each scrape of the string. It is a small ensemble. There is nowhere to hide in this music.
iHorror: What challenges or surprises come with adapting your original score for a concert performance?
Joe LoDuca: Whatever technical challenges we faced were handled so brilliantly by Alek Deva at Black Ink. He is a genial genius at putting a show like this one together.
iHorror: Do you approach the arrangements differently for live audiences compared to the original film score?
Joe LoDuca: This show grew out of my desire to revisit the string quintet format I originally chose for this film. I wrote a suite, then it morphed into the music the audience will hear. I wrote a very cool overture that isn’t in the original film, for example. I rewrote the famous piano rag that plays on the Victrola in the third act. It’s a knuckle-breaker for our pianist! EVIL DEAD is scary and funny and wildly entertaining. So go be a part of the merry mayhem!
Whether you’re a lifelong Deadite or a newcomer eager to experience one of horror’s most iconic films in a bold new format, Evil Dead In Concert delivers an unforgettable night of blood, laughter, and live music. With LoDuca’s score performed in real time, audiences will be reminded why this scrappy little cabin-in-the-woods story grew into a franchise that has haunted and delighted fans for more than four decades.
For more information about Evil Dead In Concert including the full tour schedule and tickets, visit www.evildeadinconcert.com and follow @evildeadinconcert on Instagram.
