Odesza deliver an emotional powerhouse performance in Chicago

Odesza‘s ‘A Moment Apart Tour’ stopped by the UIC Pavilion in Chicago this weekend for a mesmerizing show that was rich in visual spectacle and artistic feats. The set list promoted the new album and included fan favorites like ‘Falls‘, which near the end of the show prompted a sing along with fans waving their arms in the air. Moments like these encapsulated the joy of the concert, and Odesza certainly packed a punch.

The show included surprise special guests, who highlighted the live quality of Odesza’s music. Featured artist Naomi Wild provided live vocals on the emotionally magnificent ‘Higher Ground‘. They brought out WYNNE for ‘Line of Sight‘, adding soul and energy to the chill track, enthusiastically jumping along as the lights washed over the crowd. Leon Bridges turned the Pavilion into a gospel service with his powerful rendition of ‘Across the Room‘ with the screens showing church imagery.

Their music is decidedly chillwave, but duo Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight explored a diverse collection of sounds on ‘A Moment Apart‘, never relying just on prerecorded synths as their pop-EDM counterparts may. An impressive drum line and brass instrumentalists were captivating. The visual production of the concert enhanced the entire night, every laser, light and video element evoking the sunset aesthetic of Odesza’s music.

The emotional power of Odesza is undeniable, every track imbued the wistfulness of a treasured memory, transporting the listener to places deep within their heart. This was not lost on the nine thousand fans at the sold out UIC Pavilion, whose joy was readily apparent as they raved along to favorite tracks like ‘Say My Name‘ which was wisely situated near the beginning, and the magical ‘Late Night‘. The sound and lights bathed the arena in a feeling of collective joy, as the show came to a close in spectacular style, perfectly illustrating Odesza’s talent as a duo.