Colorado is pushing out strong names constantly in every field of EDM. Names like Savoy, Manufactured Superstars, Ishe, and Paper Diamond are showing the world what this great state has to offer. Yet if there had to be one name that represents Colorado’s growing talent the best that would most definitely be Pretty Lights. Derek Vincent Smith has made the Pretty Lights name known world wide in just a few years, always providing his music for free and presenting one of the most spectacular and visually interesting live shows to date. Not to mention expanding his influence by the addition of the Pretty Light Music label that includes Paper Diamond, Gramatik, and Michal Menert just to name a few. Derek has loyal supporters from all music subcultures throughout the world but none are stronger then his home crowd in Colorado. This past fall he sold out The Fillmore Auditorium and Red Rocks Amphitheater in back to back nights. Soon after the rumors began to spread that he would be breaking away from his usual NYE shows in Chicago to bring in 2012 back home with his friends. Quickly those rumors became truth and the two night run would take place at the 1st Bank Center, with amazing supporting sets from SuperVision, Paul Basic, Zedd and Porter Robinson. Tickets for both nights sold out in record time, luckily team COllective was able to catch the show on the 30th.
Unfortunately we got there near the end of SuperVision’s set who is another strong name coming up through the PLM family. Having recently seen him at Belly Up we know how great his shows are and so does the hometown crowd. The 1st Bank Center, that can hold over 6,000 people, was well over half full already and more importantly the crowd was very enthusiastic about what SuperVision had to offer.
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Next up with a warm welcome was one of 2011 biggest break out artists Porter Robinson. Possibly the most energetic performer to watch, Porter was pumping all that energy into the crowd with his well thought out electro house and dubstep set. Surges came with tracks like Knife Party’s Internet Friends and his own tracks Say My Name and 100% in the Bitch.
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When 10:45 rolled around Derek ran out on stage, his stage lit up and with out wasting anytime he got right into the music. We were ready for what would be a ride of beautifully blended beats and melodies for just over 2 hours. He provided everything from the Pretty Lights arsenal, old stuff, new stuff, and the hits that make for unforgettable moments. The best moment that night was easily when the lights turned white, illuminated the crowd, and all 6,000+ people sang along to Finally Moving. Those words have become even more well known in this year due to the fact that Avicii used the same vocal sample in Levels. Yet for any long time Pretty Lights fan, that song, and that crowd, that night is a memory that will stick with us for a lifetime. We are sure Pretty Lights will be back in Colorado soon, and we will be not to miss it!
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Full Photo Album
Pretty Lights Website and Facebook
Porter Robinson on Facebook
SuperVision on Facebook