For those who aren’t fans, EDM shows can be a bit of a hard sell. “There’s no instruments,” they say, or “it’s just a dude with a laptop.” Well to those naysayers I say: go see one. Go to an EDM show, you’ll understand. It’s not just the lights, or the pyrotechnics, or the lasers, the music genuinely feels different when you’re experiencing it with a room full of other fans.
A good EDM show is truly a sight to behold, and Illenium’s 2023 tour is no exception. With more lasers and lights than a Best Buy and enough pyro to run a commercial kitchen, along with a roster of talented musicians coming and going from the stage, the DJ blew the doors off of Houston’s 713 Music Hall.
Kicking things off promptly at 8PM was Imanu, who provided those who showed up early with a combination of house, drum & bass, and trance to get the show started. The 24-year-old Dutchman kept the lights low throughout his set, while visuals danced across the LED screens mounted on the backdrop and stage.
Shortly before 9:15, Said the Sky took his place on the stage. Greeted with cheers and applause from the sold-out crowd, the DJ did his part to raise the energy in the room from chilled-out vibes to a full-on rave, bringing out smoke and lights that cast over the audience. After an hourlong set, Said the Sky left the stage to make way for the night’s headliner.
As the production crew lifted the covers off of Illenium’s elaborate stage setup, the energy in the room was palpable. Revealing a full drum kit, keyboards, and plenty of pyrotechnics, along with more confetti cannons and smoke machines than I’ve ever seen, the stage was set (quite literally) for a great show.
At 10:30, the lights dimmed and Illenium took the stage, strumming the set’s opening notes on a guitar. Lit up with red lights, the DJ continued to play as the music swelled around him, leading up to the first of many bass drops and an explosion of fire. As the heat from the pyro filled the room, Illenium played on and the crowd went wild, filling up every inch of the floor.
About 10 minutes into the set, the first of many confetti blasts sent streamers over and into the crowd, though many got tied up in the lighting rigs on the ceiling. For most of the show, Illenium was joined on stage by a drummer, with other musicians coming and going including a guitarist, violinist, vocalists, and keyboardist. Said the Sky returned to the stage for a few songs, taking up residence behind the keyboards.
Over the course of 90 minutes, Illenium played through 31 energy filled songs complete with all the trappings of a great show, keeping the energy in the room high from start to finish. Houston doesn’t often get large scale EDM shows, as many acts tend to tour in nightclubs or stick to festivals, but these events are always a spectacle and, as stated above, Illenium was no exception. For both fans of the genre and not, the show was truly electrifying, and the next time he comes to town, Illenium is certainly not to be missed.
I'm a Houston-based concert and automotive photographer. I've been a music fan my whole life, and previously was the director for Coog Radio, the University of Houston's student radio station. I listen to a bit of everything, from blues to rock to EDM, but predominantly metal. Some favorites include Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. When I'm not behind the camera, you can catch me skating, going to car events, and buying too many coffee table books.
