Ask anyone you know about me and they’ll tell you, without a doubt, that my all-time favorite artist is Porter Robinson. Since the inception of Worlds, Porter Robinson struck a nerve in me that would ignite my fire to follow my dreams in life. While I won’t go into the full story, the amount of similarities I felt to Porter Robinson and the issues with anxiety and confidence I was dealing with were suddenly given reassurance that at the end of the day, no matter who I was, I could put my being into the world, put myself out and do what I wanted without worrying about judgment or disdain from those who didn’t matter.
Alongside that, Madeon has been a long time favorite of mine as well, first seeing him at the world-renowned Denver venue Red Rocks for his legendary set at Global Dance Festival. His upbeat blend of indie and dance music has always left me with an inexplicable urge to move and a bright smile on my face. So when I heard that these two major influences were taking part on a collaborative tour that would showcase each of their profound styles, I knew it was a must-see.
Over the last few months, friends of mine bombarded me with videos taken by others who had seen the show when it first kicked off, but rather than succumb to my curiosity, I decided to ignore all videos of the live show and let the anticipation build. I wanted to be in absolute wonder when the time came to see their combined live set. And left in wonder I was. When Porter Robinson and Madeon made their Denver stop on the Shelter tour, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning who’d been waiting all night to open his presents.
The show started with some major heat, including Toronto-based Robotaki and the international future bass star San Holo. Each act curated a set that left me active and energetic but waiting for the main course. Soon enough, the lights went off and Porter and Madeon took to the stage for what is easily one of the best live shows I’ve seen this year, if not one of my favorite live performances I’ve ever witnessed (I work in music so you can get a grasp on how many shows I go to in a year alone, not to mention over the course of my short life).
Opening with a spectacle of lights, visuals and sound, Porter and Madeon did not disappoint as they crafted live bliss through combinations of their hit singles and live edits that both made you cry and want to drop into a neck breaking head banging fit, not to mention their captivating vocal capabilities that seemed to be made to perform alongside one another. This show was a sonic experience unlike any other and pushed well beyond the boundaries of regular electronic-based sets. From a blend of fascinating storytelling to premiering completely reworked classics that had the crowd in a frenzy of emotion, the Shelter live tour was a euphoric experience that will be untouched by many artists for years to come.
While the tour is nearing its end, some dates still remain, and if you can see this historic show you will want to make it a point to go. This could be the start of something amazing in dance music and live performance, and that change is something that has me highly anticipating the future of music.