On Saturday, September 27th, the Mission Ballroom was transformed into a groovy dance floor. After several years of Red Rocks performances, Big Wild (aka Jackson Stell) drew his Denver fans to a more intimate venue. The audience showed up in their best funktastic fashion: bell-bottoms, sparkly jumpsuits, and disco accessories galore.
A talented producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Stell blends synths, drums, keyboards, and vocals to create his signature indie-pop, disco-tinged sound. Known for his hits and collaborations like “6’s to 9’s” featuring Rational and his remix of ODESZA’s “Say My Name,” he stands apart from other EDM acts by weaving in indie and pop elements along with live acoustic sounds.
Steel often performs with a live ensemble during his shows, sometimes an all-female band. Saturday’s show featured drummer Val Sepulveda and guitarist Will Walden, who both rocked the stage.
Opening the night was Los Angeles-based singer, producer, and DJ Shallou (real name Joe Boston). Known for his hits like “Begin” and “You and Me,” the West Coast artist set the mood with ambient, indie-house vibes. Shallou serenading the crowd with his soothing vocals and guitar.
After just one opener, the crowd buzzed in anticipation for the Big Wild’s set. The tour follows his new album, Wild Child, released August 29th with Giant Music. The stage design quickly took shape to mirror the album cover’s groovy aesthetic.
Stell has explained that Wild Child represents reconnecting with our inner child, along the voices and creativity of this that we too often suppress. From his Instragram post about the release, he wrote, “In a world gripped by conformity and robbed of imagination, there exists one who defends the unique voice inside us all that has long been silenced. Wild Child.”
The album features a blend of different genres, from indie-pop to retro rock sounds. A major single promoted from the album was “Too Loud” featuring Phantogram, which also included an music video release. This track particularly electrified the energy of Saturday night fans.
The theme of Wild Child came alive Saturday, as fans danced freely, embodying their own inner wild child as they grooved along to the band without inhibitions. Stell has a way of captivating the crowd and pulling them just a little bit closer with his multi-instrumental skills, moving from a hand drum near the crowd to keyboard, and of course, with his signature soothing vocals.
Snell and his band performed a mix of new music and fan favorites, including “Touch” and “Show Me.” The night closed with an encore of none other than “6’s to 9’s,” a beloved staple that left fans uplifted and high-spirited, dancing the night away through their inner Wild Child.
The tour will continue in North American for Fall 2025. Big Wild partnered with Plus1 so that $1 of each ticket sale will support Ethos Music Center, a nonprofit that provides music education to students in Oregon.
Photos by Angela Jaleh Karami
