Earth, Wind & Fire have long stood at the crossroads of funk, soul, disco, and pop. Formed in Chicago in 1969, the band has sold over 90 million records worldwide. On July 2, 2025, under the open sky of the Hollywood Bowl, their performance offered a clear reminder of why their music continues to resonate across generations.

As the crowd settled in on a warm summer evening in Los Angeles, the audience reflected the band’s broad appeal with a crowd formed by longtime fans, parents with young children, and younger concertgoers drawn in by the enduring influence of '70s funk and soul. Some had come dressed in vintage tees and flared jeans, others brought picnic baskets and blankets, making the most of the Bowl’s open-air setup.

Rather than opening with their biggest hits, Earth, Wind & Fire eased into the set with more restrained tracks that still managed to hold the audience’s attention. From the beginning, the band played with clear precision. As the night progressed, the setlist began to shift with more familiar melodies coming in, such as “Fantasy,” “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland”.

Photo Source: Camila Curcio Even in the upper sections of the Hollywood Bowl where the sound isn’t as direct and the rows stretch into picnic-style benches, people stood to dance. These seats, often favored by groups for their open feel and panoramic view of the stage and skyline, typically invite a more laid-back experience, still, the energy up there was pretty high.

Just before the encore, a surprise fireworks display lit up the sky in red, white, and blue, a clever, slightly sophisticated nod to the upcoming Fourth of July that felt perfectly timed without overwhelming the music. Set against the backdrop of the Hollywood Bowl, where Earth, Wind & Fire shared the bill with the LA Philharmonic, the moment struck a balance between celebration and restraint.

Although Earth, Wind & Fire have gone through significant lineup changes since their formation in 1969, with Maurice White retiring from touring in the ‘90s and passing away in 2016, the group’s core remains remarkably consistent. Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson continue to lead the band. The music, played with precision and energy, stood firmly on its own.

Following their Hollywood Bowl shows, Earth, Wind & Fire are set to continue their 2025 North American tour, which kicked off June 14 in Denver. This summer's itinerary includes San Diego at The Rady Shell on July 6, La Vista’s Astro Amphitheater on July 16, Kansas City at the Starlight Theatre on July 18, Camdenton’s Ozarks Amphitheater on July 19, and stops in Maryland Heights, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Toledo, Akron, Battle Creek, Detroit, Interlochen, Highland Park, Milwaukee, and Waite Park, wrapping the tour on August 10.