Pretty Lights Returns To Telluride On The Episodic Festival Tour

Derek Vincent Smith, better known by stage name Pretty Lights, returned to take over Telluride, CO, along with his newly constructed live band for a surreal two days of live music. On August 26th and 27th the quaint ski town of Telluride became absolutely mobbed with the most dedicated PL fans, waiting to hear Derek play his absolute favorite location.

VENUE:

Upon my arrival it became obvious why the Pretty Lights crew holds this location especially close and encourages loyal fans to make the journey from their home states, through country roads of Colorado to end up at a place so beautiful it looks like it was dreamed up in a story book.

The seemingly untouched valley gave visitors an impactful experience. The mountains reminded me how small we really are but also of the connection we share with each other through music and nature. It was lush, alive and green. The natural beauty of Telluride and its surrounding mountains was captivating to say the very least.

NIGHT ONE & NIGHT ONE AFTER PARTY:

Pretty Lights weekend kicked off on Friday with a solo set from Derek. He opened with a version of “Country Roads” that gave the crowd a chance to reflect on our separate but equally breathtaking travels through the mountains of Colorado. A highlight of Friday’s solo set was making my way into the venue as Derek dropped his newest release, “Only Yesterday”, which features Telluride in the music video. 

 The crowd got a taste of what the new Pretty Lights live band is capable of during the second set of night one. Derek, Brian Coogan, Borahm Lee, Alvin Ford Jr., and Chris Karns teamed up to execute the most cohesive Pretty Lights live performance yet. Songs we already love had new, improvised elements that turned them into sprawling jam sessions.

The crowd really got into it during “I Can See It In Your Face”. We sang along to Derek’s spooky vocal samples and swayed to the nostalgic, vintage PL sound. Friday’s set held a ton of never heard before tunes but that didn’t stop anyone from getting down.

Of course we have to take a minute to talk about the creative genius behind the Pretty Lights team's lighting design. The outdoor venue posed an uncontrollable environment for the lights, lasers and strobes but that did not stop Greg Ellis, better known as “Lazershark” from putting on the most consistently beautiful light show in the electronic music scene.  During certain points of the show, Ellis even used the bad weather to his advantage.

 Dazzling combinations of Laser beams shot at the crowd as old favorite “Hot Like Sauce” closed out night one. Derek sent us off to our respective after parties with a reminder to stay “extra dope and respectful” of Telluride for taking the Pretty Lights family in. And this crowd genuinely was, judging by how accommodating and welcoming Telluride locals were to us visitors. I also must add that after the weekend was said and done, the venue was left in the condition it was found- clean, green and unharmed.

 Fly Me To The Moon Saloon, one of Telluride’s cozy ski town venues hosted Marvel Years, Late Night Radio and around one hundred and fifty PL fans who were just not ready for their night to come to an end. The artists kept us moving until last call and Late Night Radio surprised us with one of their special vinyl restoration sets. The venue was packed with Colorado artists and musicians, who came to get down and show support.

 NIGHT TWO & NIGHT TWO AFTER PARTY:

We bundled up and headed down the mountain in a gondola, which provided a sweeping birds-eye view of the valley and fueled bubbling anticipation for another night of Pretty Lights. There was a slight drizzle, but the rain added it’s own special magic to the evening. Lazershark was able to manipulate his lights in a way that made lasers moving across the front of the state looked like an aurora surrounding us through the fog. Lasers on either side of the stage moved up and down and reflected off the rain, giving the illusion green glitter was floating down upon us from the mountain peaks. Ellis clearly saved his craziest combinations for last.

Overall, the band sounded tighter on night two. We heard two or three songs repeated from the night before, which upset some fans because of the huge catalogue of music the band has to play. I was just happy to get down to “There Is A Light” more than once.

Night two was all about hip-hip. Break beats were plenty and live percussion gave Derek’s sound the ability to hit the crowd in a more pronounced way than a DJ set could. Karns seriously impressed the crowd on the turn tables with his record scratching expertise. Jazz/funk infused hip-hop kept coming on Derek’s “This Is How We Do” and “Numb/Encore” remixes.

The band stopped often so Derek could express his happiness to be back in Telluride. He had the crowd laughing hysterically at nonsensical one liners. We fed off his energy and it felt like a huge family affair.

Every set has a highlight and the moment that did it for us was Derek’s freestyle over a never heard before beat. He welcomed “everyone in this valley, from New York, to Colorado, To Cali” and talked about the clarity his fans and music has brought him. Next he smoothly transitioned into the “I Know The Truth”. He questioned us, “Telluride, is it in you?” and dropped the heavy beat on us. It was powerful. Dancing light and color filled our vision and were totally immersed in Derek’s sound.

The after parties on night two lived up to all expectations. We ran into up and coming producer, Maddy O’Neal, who just recently opened up for Pretty Lights at his Red Rocks Amphitheater performance. She kept the old school hip-hop vibes going and has easily become a favorite since discovering her at Fly Me To The Moon. Look out for an interview with her coming soon and be sure to check out her music here.

After, we paid a visit to the Sheridan Opera House to see Eliot Lipp team up with lighting designer JJ Henkin for a laser packed late night set- the best way to end Pretty Lights weekend.

Whether it’s the music, mountains, one of a kind light show or the love felt between fans, we’re certain this is a family gathering we aren’t willing to miss next year. Pretty Lights gave us a spiritual experience. We’d like to close by saying thank you to everyone involved in making this event possible. You made us feel.

 Get our entire Telluride album here. 

Photos contributed by Silky Shots.