John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater
Photo by Greg Cristman

John Carpenter played classic movie themes @ PlayStation Theater (pics, setlist)

photos by Greg Cristman

John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater
John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater

“I’m a director of horror films.” That’s how John Carpenter humbly introduced himself at NYC’s Playstation Theater on Friday night (7/8) which was met with thunderous applause. It was, of course, an incredibly reductive statement — John Carpenter is one of the great genre film directors — and he is a musician as well, having composed the score to most of his films, including the iconic, three-note hook from the theme to Halloween. Touring this year for the first time ever, Carpenter and his band, which includes the very talented Daniel Davies on lead guitar and John’s talented son Cody on lead synthesizer, played much of his best-loved themes as well as selections from his two Lost Themes albums.

He opened with the title themes to classics Escape From New York and Assault on Precinct 13, setting the tone for the evening, with clips from the films projected behind them. Next, the band played a couple of the best tracks from Lost Themes — “Vortex” and “Mystery” — and then continued with the classic “The Fog,” complete with obligatory fog machines set to 11. NYC also got themes from They Live, Halloween, Big Trouble in Little China, Prince of Darkness, In The Mouth Of Madness, as well as Ennio Morricone’s theme to The Thing and more cuts from the two Lost Themes albums. John said at the finale of the show, “as you head out into the darkness remember there’s always Christine” concluding things with “Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury).”

Full setlist and more photos, below…

John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater John Carpenter at PlayStation Theater

SETLIST: John Carpenter @ Playstation Theatre 7/8/2016
Escape From New York: Main Title
Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
Vortex
Mystery
The Fog: Main Title Theme
They Live: Coming To L.A.
The Thing: Main Theme – Desolation
(Ennio Morricone cover)
Distant Dream
Big Trouble in Little China: Pork Chop Express
Wraith
Night
Halloween Theme – Main Title
In the Mouth of Madness: In The Mouth Of Madness

Encore:
Prince of Darkness: Darkness Begins
Virtual Survivor
Purgatory
Christine: Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)