On a quiet Wednesday night, British electronic artist Elderbrook turned the House of Blues into a pulsing dance club with entrancing beats, a mesmerizing performance rig, and stunning visuals.
At first, the venue felt unusually spacious and quiet for a midweek show. Opener Jerro eased in with laid-back house grooves, and the early crowd lingered in sparse clusters on the main floor. Fellow opener Le Youth followed with melodic beats that gradually coaxed more attendees toward the stage. By the time Elderbrook was ready to perform, that trickle of fans had swelled into a packed house – the venue had transformed into a buzzing scene of anticipation for the main act.
As soon as Elderbrook stepped into the spotlight, he commanded the room’s attention with an almost hypnotic presence. Flanked by a sprawling rig of synthesizers, drum pads, and other electronic instruments, he moved fluidly between each piece of equipment. One moment he was pounding out a rhythm on an electronic drum pad, the next he was at a keyboard or twisting knobs to shape the soundscapes. All the while, he stepped up to the mic to deliver his soulful vocals, making it clear this was more than a typical DJ set. It was like watching a one-man band for the electronic age – a visually and technically impressive feat that had the crowd cheering for both the music and the showmanship.
He kept the audience under his spell with an entrancing flow of songs, seamlessly blending his own originals with inventive remixes and high-profile collaborations. The setlist spanned from fan-favorite solo tracks to music he’s made with other dance heavyweights. The crowd erupted at the first notes of “Cola,” Elderbrook’s Grammy-nominated 2017 club anthem with CamelPhat, and they cheered just as loudly for his newer collaborations, whether it was a bouncy house groove co-produced with Diplo or the melodic thump of his John Summit team-up. Even his more atmospheric work with artists like Hayden James and super-duo Kx5 found its place in the mix, showing off Elderbrook’s versatility. Through each transition, the energy in the room never waned; people danced in a collective trance and sang along whenever Elderbrook’s vocals soared above the pulsating beats.
After nearly ninety minutes of ecstatic music, Elderbrook still wasn’t done. He returned for a two-song encore that put a perfect cap on the night. First came “Afters,” keeping the energy at full blast as fans savored one more round of deep bass and catchy hooks. Finally, he closed with the poignant yet uplifting “Why Do We Shake in the Cold?” – a fan favorite that had everyone singing along in one last cathartic wave.
Leave a Reply