After a week of warm weather, Colorado finished on a high note as music lovers were treated to a perfect evening at Red Rocks Amphitheatre last Friday. It was one of the first shows of the season at the world-renowned venue, and the energy and anticipation from the crowd were palpable as they gathered for Elderbrook and his opening acts.
On April 11th, Elderbrook (real name Alexander Harry Kotz), drew fans both near and far to his Another Touch North American Tour stop in Morrison, Colorado, with opening performances from Vandelux and HUGEL. The audience was decked out in colorful attire — from ’80s-themed neon jumpsuits and mushroom onesies to LED-lit suits — reflecting the eclectic, vibrant spirit of the night.
Dressed in white, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer Vandelux (real name Evan White) kicked things off. Bouncing between drums, keyboard and vocals, White captivated the crowd with his uniquely groovy sound, blending elements of pop, house and trip-hop. Originally from Vancouver and now based in San Francisco, Vandelux fuses modern EDM production with old school flair. Adding to the good vibes felt by the audience on the beautiful spring evening, he brought out special guests Tyler Mann and saxophonist Ryan Navaroli to accompany him during his set.
As the temperature dropped, French producer and DJ HUGEL (real name Florent Hugel) brought the heat with his Latin and house-inspired beats. With tempos rising, the crowd responded with enthusiastic dancing that spilled into the open stairways to make more room from the packed venue. The self-proclaimed “instigator of Latin house,” HUGEL had a strong fan presence, many dressed in branded merch and singing and dancing along to his biggest hits.
After much anticipation, Elderbrook, took the stage under the clear night sky, bursting with energy. His setup included an array of drums, keys, and samplers, which Kotz enthusiastically rotated between throughout the performance.
A true one-man show, the London-based artist showcased his talents as a singer, instrumentalist, and producer. Known for his hits like “Cola” (a Grammy-winning collaboration with CamelPhat), “Inner Light,” and “Places,” Elderbrook blends musical styles of house and trance with emotionally driven vocals.
A full screen of vivid, psychedelic visuals complemented his dynamic set, entrancing the audience. Elderbrook’s signature high-register, soulful vocals had fans singing along to fan-favorite tracks such as “Waterfall.” He treated the crowd to a mix of all-time top tracks and songs from his newest album, Another Touch, which Kotz has stated focuses on introspection and self-discovery. Themes of vulnerability and personal growth deeply resonated with his fans, whose love and support filled the amphitheater.
Far from thinking this would be a typical EDM show, the audience’s sense of community and kindness was apparent and reflected the deeper roots of the dance music culture. After a heartfelt encore, Elderbrook returned to close the night with “All My Love” sending his fans off on a wave of euphoria and feel-good energy.
Elderbrook will continue his North American Tour through mid-May, with support from Le Youth and Jerro. Even without the perfect springtime weather, Elderbrook is sure to warm the spirits of his audience wherever he performs.
Photos by Angela Jaleh Karami
