With their LED-lit drumline and screaming horns, Odesza brought electronic music and live instruments together at the Ascend Amphitheater.
In Nashville, you could feel summer turning to fall as fans poured into Ascend Amphitheater. With their blankets in hand and dancing shoes on, everyone was excited to see Odesza and their famed drumline light up the stage.
Opening the show, the once-solo acts, QRTR & OLAN, have been fusing their styles together for an incredible sound of driving house beats with gorgeous vocals laid over top. QRTR, born Meagan Rodriguez, is a DJ, producer, film composer, and songwriter whose experiences lead to the sometimes experimental, sometimes house grooves that mark the sound of their set. OLAN, Luzana Flores, sings and plays bass guitar in the duo and collaborates on songwriting. The two released through Odesza’s label Foreign Family Collective this summer.
As the sun disappeared behind the towering skyline of the city, TOKiMONSTA took to the stage with her DJ decks fully decked with paper flowers. The California native fuses her producing roots of LA beat battles with her classically trained music background to produce an ethereal fusion of house music.Also known as Jennifer Lee, TOKiMONSTA, has been releasing albums for over a decade. In 2010, she was the first female on Flying Lotus’s label, where she released her breakout album. As she was ascending the scene, she suffered from the brain disease Moyamoya. Lee underwent brain surgeries in 2015 that left her temporarily unable to comprehend language, much less write music. However, just four years later she would be nominated for a Grammy.
Her cheery demeanor and smiling face kept the crowd moving as the excitement for Odesza built.
Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance met in grade school, moved away, had their own musical pursuits, and their paths crossed again. This parking lot happenstance led to the guys making music together and giving birth to this music project that the crowd loved.
Odesza brought an unforgettable experience to Nashville. Opening with the soft and feely “This Version of You” followed by a fury of pyro, fireworks, and a stage full of live musicians for “Behind the Sun.” The duo let the crowd know the emotional roller coaster they were in for.At the core of this elaborate production are Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight. They met at Western Washington University and formed the group just before graduating. Since releasing their first album in 2012, they have long since passed being just two DJs and have created a stage show of epic proportions.
On top of the electronic setups the guys both have, the show incorporated a full snare line, bass drums, drum set, piano, trumpet, and trombone. Special guests included Naomi Wild for her sound on songs like “Better Now” and “Higher Ground,” Izzy Bizu on “Forgive Me,” and Mansionair on “Heavier.”
Between the amazingly crafted videos playing on massive screens, LED-lit drums, and the amazingly danceable moments, there was nothing left to be desired as Nashville fans enjoyed the production Friday night.
Odesza closed it out with “The Last Goodbye.” However, this is no goodbye from the duo, and we can’t wait to see what’s next from them.
Catch Odesza on The Last Goodbye 2023 Tour through the end of October.
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