Pretty Lights at The Fillmore August 12, 2011: Review

PRETTY LIGHTS REVIEW—Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO

by Amanda Spilos

Once again Colorado-based producer Derek Vincent Smith, known to most as Pretty Lights, caved the roof of another venue last night to a sold out show at the Fillmore.  His raw talent filled the room with excitement and electro vibes that all were anticipating.  Everyone was already moving from the opening beats of Gramatik, That Supervision, Paul Basic, and his long time friend Michal Menert, so when Pretty Lights came on the crowd was ready to get ‘hyphy’ and rage.  His ten-foot tall cityscape LED platforms allowed for the crowd to get lost in the lights while the serious blows left our ears ringing for hours after.

Pretty Lights Montage (photo credit Amanda Spilos)

Derek’s remix of Kanye’s “All of the Lights” sent the kids into a frenzy with the punching beats and intense visuals; it was the beginning to a soulful, sweaty evening. Other dope remixes included a chill, “Summer Time” tribute with a Sublime, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince remix of the oh so popular Summer anthem, then finishing with the quirky Mungo Jerry (the guy that sang the catchy, head-bobbing summertime song that makes you want to drink lemonade).  The room was filled with glowing reds and oranges giving the impression we were roasting from the radiant sun, though it was because of Derek’s non-stop, organic beats.  He slowed things down with a slow-tempo remix, of Radiohead’s “Everything In It’s Right Place”, and Nirvana’s “All Apologies”, seamlessly transitioning into “Heart Shaped Box”, and “Idioteque”.  Castro is the biggest Radiohead fan in the world so this song pretty much put him in a sound coma for the rest of the night.

To be able to bring the amount of energy single handedly, depending solely on oneself truly shows the natural and cutting-edge talent of Pretty Lights.  Derek shook the walls of the Fillmore so hard, playing three never been heard songs, I was certain the chandeliers were going to drop to the ground.  I wish I could be there for part two at Red Rocks tonight that will surely be a mind-blowing show, blanketed with the black, star-filled sky and enclosed with the glowing rocks that surrounds the natural amphitheater.   Check out the video for "All of The Lights", excuse the shakiness but the venue was literally shaking....enjoy.