Porter Robinson Returns to the Stage With a Full Band

Porter Robinson has always been known for crafting captivating electronic music. From dancing anthems to lush textures and thoughtful storytelling, his musical creations never cease to mesmerize listeners.

Since 2014’s release of his masterpiece Worlds, Jonsi has experienced an upheaval that includes existential panic, creative drought and family illness.

SMILE! 😀

Porter Robinson has made waves in EDM by producing exceptional remixes and original releases – from remixes that set new standards to genre-defining original releases – but now he is making waves again with his full live band, as proven in this high-energy concert video.

At various points throughout his show, Robinson climbs a giant LED billboard that serves as the backdrop to his stunning visuals and melodies. Additionally, it acts as an unofficial sixth member of his band by backing him during his acrobatic moves as well as providing lyrics and visuals that allow audiences to sing along and follow along.

Though not suitable for kids, this film provides an engaging ride for teens who enjoy slow-burning horror and the unnerving sense that something terrible may soon strike. There are multiple grisly deaths and lots of bloody gore, as well as drug use and four-letter words.

Nurture

Porter Robinson took a significant break from music following the overwhelming response to his 2014 debut Worlds. Overwhelmed by millions of streams and an army of fans eager to hear new material, he found it challenging to remain exciting or creatively fresh. But this step back eventually resulted in 2021’s Nurture, an album which explores depression and loss while simultaneously revamping EDM fantasias into intimate, melodic tracks with vocal components for the first time in his career.

The FADER meets up with producer David Arnold during rehearsals for his forthcoming live show featuring his own band that will debut during both virtual Secret Sky festival (which has been streamed over one million times worldwide) and physical Second Sky festival next month. They discuss what led him down his own personal road towards Nurture, his continued quest for growth, and lessons they hope to share with listeners who may be experiencing similar struggles.

Spitfire

First time I saw Porter Robinson live, he kicked off the performance with a lively remix of “Shelter.” Violent red lights lit up the stage while paper hearts fell from above onto the crowd below – an unforgettable start to an incredible evening!

At that point, Robinson had already been performing on festival stages and held down a Las Vegas residency; yet he struggled to create something as groundbreaking as his debut album. Instead, his focus remained solely on music rather than engaging in friendships or experiences that might have provided inspiration.

Worlds was Robinson’s 2014 debut album and showcased his fascination for fantastical escapism that went beyond big drops and sugary hooks, while 2021 album Nurture went even further in an organic yet minimalist direction – surprising both himself and his audience alike. GQ Vero subscribers can get more exclusive music content and commentary–plus top places, books, and music recommendations–by subscribing.

Virtual Self

Porter Robinson made his mark on the electronic dance scene by releasing fidgety electro club bangers like Say My Name, followed by more upbeat tracks like Spitfire and Language. Additionally, he co-wrote Zedd’s chart-topping single Clarity while building up a significant fanbase through touring dates and co-writing Zedd’s chart-topping single “Clarity”.

But the producer quickly felt constrained by the commercial dance music landscape and quickly created Virtual Self, with its first track Eon Break and video released in October.

Virtual Self was inspired by early 2000s aesthetics in both its sound and visual presentation, from its angular font to its ghostly color palette and seemingly nonsensical text on arcade game boxes – giving listeners an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia when listening to the album.