Concert - Shredding the Multiverse : Television's Greatest Modern Scores Take Center Stage Ahead of San Diego Comic-Con

By Mulder, 17 july 2026

Just as the entertainment industry prepares to descend on San Diego for another edition of San Diego Comic-Con, one event is poised to remind audiences that some of the most unforgettable moments in modern television are not only seen but also heard. On Tuesday, July 21, Shredding the Multiverse will transform the Epstein Family Amphitheater at the University of California San Diego into a celebration of contemporary screen music, bringing together some of today's most acclaimed television composers for an exclusive one-night-only concert. Rather than focusing on blockbuster franchises alone, the evening shines a spotlight on the artists whose scores have become essential to the identity of many of the decade's most celebrated series, from superhero adventures to galactic epics, martial arts comedies, and animated Marvel productions. Scheduled just hours before Comic-Con officially comes to life, the event illustrates how film and television music has evolved from a supporting element into one of pop culture's defining creative forces.

The evening will feature Mick Giacchino, whose career has accelerated dramatically in recent years thanks to a series of critically acclaimed scores. After earning an Emmy Award for HBO's The Penguin, Mick Giacchino has established himself as one of Hollywood's most versatile young composers, moving effortlessly between the whimsical energy of The Muppets Mayhem, the adventurous spirit of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and the darker atmosphere of DC's Gotham universe. His upcoming work on Marvel Television's Vision Quest further demonstrates the industry's confidence in his ability to shape the emotional identity of major franchises. While his surname inevitably recalls his father, Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino, Mick Giacchino has steadily forged his own musical personality through projects that combine orchestral writing with contemporary production techniques and memorable thematic material, a balance that has earned him recognition among both critics and fans.

Sharing the stage will be composing partners Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg, whose collaboration has become one of the most distinctive voices in modern television scoring. Their Emmy-winning work on Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and Grammy-nominated soundtrack showcased their remarkable ability to move effortlessly between genres, while series such as Cobra Kai have demonstrated how nostalgia can be transformed into something entirely fresh through inventive orchestration and guitar-driven themes. More recently, the duo has expanded into Marvel Animation with Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, proving equally comfortable writing energetic superhero music and emotionally nuanced character themes. Their diverse résumé, which also includes Bottoms, Pen15, Florida Man, Matlock, Die Hart, and the forthcoming Super Troopers 3, reflects an unusually broad creative range that has made them among the most sought-after composing teams working today.

Rather than presenting a traditional orchestral concert, Shredding the Multiverse promises what organizers describe as a collision of cinematic orchestration and rock performance. Backed by an all-star ensemble of Southern California studio musicians, Mick Giacchino, Zach Robinson, and Leo Birenberg will revisit music from The Penguin, Cobra Kai, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and additional productions in arrangements specifically designed for the live stage. The concept reflects a growing trend within the entertainment industry, where soundtrack concerts have evolved far beyond simple orchestral recreations into immersive performances that highlight the collaborative artistry behind television and film production. For many attendees, it will also provide a rare opportunity to see composers—who typically work behind the scenes—occupy center stage before an audience of fans who increasingly recognize the importance of their contribution to modern storytelling.

The timing is particularly significant. Every July, San Diego becomes the epicenter of global pop culture as Comic-Con attracts filmmakers, actors, writers, artists and thousands of fans eager to discover the next generation of blockbuster projects. While panels and world-premiere footage often dominate headlines, music has quietly become one of the defining elements of today's interconnected cinematic and television universes. Themes associated with superheroes, science fiction adventures and fantasy worlds now carry the same emotional weight as iconic visual imagery, making events like Shredding the Multiverse an increasingly natural extension of Comic-Con week. By placing composers at the forefront just before the convention begins, the concert recognizes that audiences have developed a deeper appreciation for the creative voices responsible for shaping the emotional language of contemporary franchises.

Hosted at the Epstein Family Amphitheater in La Jolla, the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 6:30 p.m., giving attendees time to enjoy food and beverages available on-site before the performance. Organized by ArtPower at UC San Diego, the event is part of the university's wider Science of Story programming, further emphasizing the educational and artistic dimension behind modern entertainment. The outdoor venue, located adjacent to the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley station, has rapidly become one of Southern California's premier performance spaces, offering an intimate setting ideally suited to an evening dedicated to celebrating the craftsmanship behind television's most memorable scores. Tickets are priced between $30 and $45, with fees included, making the event an accessible addition to Comic-Con week for both convention attendees and local music enthusiasts.

Recap of the event : 
Shredding the Multiverse: Music from Cobra Kai, The Penguin, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and more: The one-night-only concert
When : Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Where :  Epstein Family Amphitheater, University of California San Diego, located in La Jolla, California, on 
What : the concert will feature Mick Giacchino, Zach Robinson, and Leo Birenberg, accompanied by an all-star ensemble of Southern California studio musicians performing live arrangements of music from their acclaimed television productions. It celebrates the growing importance of television scoring within contemporary pop culture and serves as an unofficial musical kickoff to San Diego Comic-Con week.

(Source : press release)