Growing up in a theater family, I was always surrounded by the power of storytelling. My own musically inclined family in Bacolod nurtured this passion, leading me to become classically trained. As a DJ and Music Producer with over a decade of experience, my journey began in the burgeoning electronic music scene of Bacolod, Philippines, and eventually led me to hold degrees in Music Business from both Full Sail University and Berklee College of Music. This background, blending classical structure with electronic innovation, gave me a deep appreciation for the art of the score—the invisible character that shapes our emotional experience.
- Unique Festival Concept: Future Ruins focuses entirely on film and television composers, showcasing their scores live, unlike typical music festivals.
- Curated by Trent Reznor: The festival is a passion project led by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, aiming to give composers a platform and live audience experience.
- Exceptional Lineup & Logistics: The festival features legendary composers, but it also includes some basic travel logistics for attendees.
That’s why the announcement of a festival dedicated entirely to this craft feels so personal and revolutionary, especially at a time when a lot of music festivals are starting to feel the same. You see the same bands, the same stages, and the same influencer backdrops. But what if a festival was completely different? What if it was built from the ground up for people who truly love the music that shapes our favorite movies and TV shows?
Enter Future Ruins, a brand new, one-day festival that’s flipping the script. Created and curated by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the Oscar-winning duo from Nine Inch Nails, this event is putting film and television composers in the spotlight where they belong. This isn’t background music. This is the main event. 1
This guide has everything you need to know about what Future Ruins is, who’s playing, what the fans are saying, and whether you should make the trip for this one-of-a-kind “cinematic ceremony”.
What’s the Big Deal? A Totally New Kind of Festival
Future Ruins is throwing out the old festival playbook. The core idea is to take the music we hear in theaters and on our couches and put it on a massive stage, letting it be the star of the show. It’s designed to be a “thoughtful and immersive” experience, a deep dive into sound and story. 2
Here’s what makes it so unique:
- There are no headliners. You read that right. In a joint statement, Reznor and Ross made it clear, “There’s no headliner. There’s no hierarchy. Every artist is a headliner, each with their own specially curated moment”. This means you’re encouraged to explore all three stages and discover something new instead of just camping out for one big act.
- Artists are encouraged to get weird. This isn’t about perfectly recreating the movie score. The festival’s mission is to have each artist “take big swings and reimagine their work for a live audience”. Performances could be anything from electronic sets and full bands to huge orchestral arrangements. For many of these composers, this is the first time they’ve ever performed live, so you’re guaranteed to see something special.
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The Vision: Why Trent Reznor Created Future Ruins
This festival didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. It’s a passion project for Trent Reznor, who has been thinking about creating a unique, curated event for a long time. He admits he has a “romantic memory” of festivals but feels the reality is often disappointing.
The lightbulb moment came from seeing composers like Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman play at mainstream festivals. Reznor said, “seeing that music translated in a way that felt interesting, it got me thinking, would it be feasible to put on a festival that’s all composers?”. 3
A huge part of the motivation is also for the artists themselves. Composers usually work alone and don’t get the immediate feedback of a live audience. Reznor wanted to “allow those artists who are often in the shadows or on the soundstage to come out and feel the adrenaline rush and wave of inspiration from playing in front of a live audience”. It’s a chance for the people who are “literally, the best in the world at taking audiences on an emotional ride via music” to connect with fans in a totally new way.
The Lineup Is a Film Nerd’s Dream Come True
The list of performers for the first Future Ruins is, to put it lightly, absolutely stacked. It’s a who’s who of legendary composers, artists, and music producers. The lineup covers a huge range of styles, from sweeping orchestral arrangements to artists who specialize in electronic music. 4
Here’s just a taste of who you’ll get to see:
- Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (the masterminds themselves, known for The Social Network, Soul, and Challengers)
- Danny Elfman (the iconic composer behind Batman, Beetlejuice, and The Nightmare Before Christmas)
- John Carpenter (the legendary horror director and composer of Halloween and The Thing)
- Hildur Guðnadóttir (the Oscar-winning composer of Joker and Chernobyl)
- Mark Mothersbaugh (the DEVO co-founder who scored Wes Anderson films like The Royal Tenenbaums)
- Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin (the Italian prog-rockers who created the terrifying score for Suspiria)
- Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (the music producer duo from S U R V I V E who are responsible for the iconic, synth-heavy electronic score for Stranger Things)
- Cristobal Tapia de Veer (the genius behind the unforgettable, anxiety-inducing music of The White Lotus)
On top of that, there are some truly special, can’t-miss performances. Questlove will be presenting a set dedicated to the legendary film scores of Curtis Mayfield (Superfly), and there will be a rare live performance of Howard Shore’s controversial and brilliant score for David Cronenberg’s Crash.
What’s the Word on the Street? Fan Reactions and Debates
Since the announcement, online fan communities on sites like Reddit have been buzzing. For the most part, people are incredibly excited. Fans have called the festival a “dream come true” for film score lovers and a “once in a lifetime event”. One user summed it up perfectly, saying, “A NEW music festival based around a concept no one’s done before?? Incredible”. 5
Of course, the killer lineup has fans making wishlists for future years, with names like Mica Levi (Under the Skin) and Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer) popping up in discussions.
The biggest point of debate, however, has been the ticket price. With General Admission tickets at $299.50, some fans felt it was “a bit insane” for a single-day event. But many others have jumped in to defend the cost. They argue that a festival like this has unique expenses, like paying to get retired legends like John Carpenter to perform, potentially hiring full orchestras, and creating custom audio-visuals for a one-off show. As one fan put it, 6 “If you think about it per artist, it’s a phenomenal price”. It’s clear that while the price is steep, many believe the unique experience will be worth it.
Should You Go to Future Ruins?
So, is this festival for you? It really depends on what you’re looking for.
- For the hardcore film score fan and soundtrack collector: Yes. Absolutely, 100% yes. This is your Super Bowl. The chance to see this many legends in one place is something that may never happen again. This is a pilgrimage you should take.
- For the diehard Nine Inch Nails fan: Yes, you should definitely go. This festival is the purest expression of what Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are passionate about right now. It’s more than a concert, it’s a chance to step into their creative world.
- For the adventurous music lover tired of the same old festivals: This is a strong yes. If you want something that values art over hype and offers a truly new experience, Future Ruins is it. It’s a chance to discover incredible music in a setting designed for listening. However, if you’re just looking for a giant field party, this “cinematic ceremony” might not be your vibe.
Your Guide to Attending: The Nitty-Gritty
Ready to go? Here’s the essential info you need to plan your trip.
- The Deets: The festival takes place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA.
- Tickets: There are two main tiers, General Admission and VIP Access, which comes with perks like a fast-lane entry, a private village, and air-conditioned restrooms. Tickets are sold through Front Gate Tickets, but you can also find them on resale sites.
- Fan Travel Tips: The community has some great advice for travelers. Fly into Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), which is much closer than LAX. To avoid traffic, try to book a hotel within walking distance. Fans on Reddit recommend the Safari Inn, Portofino Inn, and Coast Burbank Hotel.
- Good to Know: The event is all ages, but there is no re-entry, so once you’re in, you’re in for the day. It’s also a rain or shine event. And a pro-tip from attendees-in-the-know: the venue is mostly dirt and grass, so wear comfortable shoes.
- https://monsterfresh.com/music/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-announce-future-ruins-festival-for-film-tv-composers/ ↩︎
- https://floodmagazine.com/195017/trent-reznor-atticus-ross-announce-future-ruins-festival/ ↩︎
- https://www.futureruins.com/interview ↩︎
- https://rollingstonephilippines.com/music/future-ruins-film-music-festival/ ↩︎
- https://www.reddit.com/r/nin/comments/1kmg16e/future_ruins_details/ ↩︎
- https://www.reddit.com/r/nin/comments/1ks1jib/29950_for_future_ruins_ga/ ↩︎
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