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- September 16, 2022
Elderbrook Wows Crowd with Stunning Sonic Experience at St. Louis Stop of ODESZA Tour
Elderbrook may have had a short set during a Wednesday stop of the ODESZA Last Goodbye tour, but he was sure to give the crowd everything he had, garnering praise from dedicated and new fans alike. The self-taught multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer/songwriter is much beloved for his emotive music that explores the sensitive and introspective themes of identity and mental health. Even with the pensive nature of his songwriting, Elderbrook creates soundscapes and sonic experiences that uplift the energy and spirit of his crowds, leaving a pitter-patter of warmth in their hearts.
Taking the stage after NASAYA, Elderbrook enchanted audience members over his 40-minute set with his mesmerizing vocals, colorful visuals, and engaging stage presence. I’ve been a long-time fan but had never had the opportunity to see him until last weekend at a festival, so I say from experience that seeing Elderbrook for the second time in the span of mere days was just as special as the first. He just has a way of making you feel something in the depths of your soul, which can go without saying given that he was an opener for a duo who is also known for their emotional take on indietronica.
Opening with none other than his most recent release, “Howl,” Elderbrook quickly set the tone for what was to come – danceable and energetic ambiance with sentiment oozing from his vocals. He walked us back through some of his popular releases throughout his career: “Inner Light” a collaboration with Bob Moses, a sultry electronic duo hailing from Vancouver, and “Numb” with its effervescent vocalizations that transport you to another atmosphere. “Old Friend” signaled a change in energy with a more poignant retro synth design. The quicker pacing continued in “Something About You” followed by “Set Fire To My Gun,” both of which are tracks off his 2020 album Why Do We Shake In the Cold? After playing his rendition of “Dance With My Ghost,” Elderbrook closed out with his ultra-popular “Cola,” which has close to 247 million streams on Spotify.
The progression of his set very much followed the flow of concert-goers as they trickled into the amphitheater while the sun was on its way down. Watching the animations dance on the screen behind Elderbrook’s minimal stage setup added an enjoyable visual experience to the already amazing sonic one. I would, in all honesty, gladly see Elderbrook for a third time in the next couple of weeks if the opportunity were to arise because that set was absolutely magical and such a great way to ease the crowd into a more energized Sylvan Esso set that directly preceded the main event and excitement that was ODESZA.
