Individuals have diverse experiences when it comes to their musical preferences and the company they keep. The following list represents my personal top 10 shows of 2023, but it’s important to acknowledge that your own list might be entirely different, and that’s perfectly fine! ☺
1. ODESZA @ Bonnaroo
Odesza consistently delivers an exceptional live performance, and I had the pleasure of catching their show twice in 2023. However, the set at Bonnaroo held a unique significance. To ensure a prime spot for all our friends, we camped out a good two hours before the set commenced, and the effort paid off. Everyone needs to experience an Odesza set because it is life altering and the best live music I have ever seen each time.
2. GRiZ CTGH @ Bonnaroo
Being surrounded by my close friends during sunset while singing to our favorite artist is something I will forever cherish. I watch this set at least once a week to relive those memories. GRiZ, ProbCause, Chrishira, and the Late Night Horns put on a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Seeing GRiZ and crew on the main stage at Bonnaroo was absolutely magical. Just watch it for yourself because I have no more words that can describe it. Out of my 10 times seeing GRiZ in 2023, this was by far my favorite.
3. Skrillex @ Red Rocks
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have experienced the extraordinary 5-hour Skrillex show—a once-in-a-lifetime event. Skrillex himself was positioned right in the heart of the crowd, adopting a Boiler Room style for the initial 30 minutes. The entire crowd exuded the essence of PLUR, and the activation of the light-up wristbands during “Ratata” has become a cherished core memory. As the sun set, the lights suspended over the stands, spanning from rock to rock, illuminated in sync with lasers and more, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Skrillex treated us to an extensive showcase of almost his entire discography, going above and beyond by extending the performance for an additional 2 minutes past the curfew which is unheard of at RR.
4. Ganja White Night b2b Subtronics @ Imagine
This was the first time Ganja White Night and Subtronics ever went B2B and it was absolutely insane. They are two of my favorite DJs and I still cannot believe this happened. This is another set I watch every other week to relive. Perfection all the way through. I will say it sounded more like a Subtronics ft. Ganja White Night set, but that doesn’t change my rating about it at all. I attended performances by both DJs multiple times this year, and the one at Imagine was the best set I witnessed from each of them in 2023.
5. GRiZ @ Mission Ballroom (Farewell Show)
Emotions filled the room and there were so many high vibrations in the room. Another show I feel so blessed to have been apart of and I will forever cherish this day. I will be waiting for GRiZ’s return and I will be at his first show back because I miss his funky sax music so bad. I highly recommend watching this if you are a GRiZ fan because he put his whole heart and soul into this set. Walking out of this set to his surprise album drop that we just got to hear live was the cherry on top.
6. Subtronics @ Red Rocks (Night 2)
Snowtronics with glitter lasers was breathtaking which made night 2 superior. I saw Subtronics 7 times last year and this took the cake with being overall the best experience. The week leading up to the show he has pop ups around Denver that set the tone going into the event. Subtronics is one of my top 3 favorite DJs and I will never miss a Cyclops Rocks show.
7. Skrillex @ Decadence CO (NYE Ball Drop)
Top to bottom this was everything I wanted. Skrillex brought us into 2024 with all of his hits. Bangarang into Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites then Cinema remix into Purple Lamborghini. He gave us a speech at midnight about chasing our dreams in 2024 and beyond. His visuals were minimal with the logo staying there most of the time besides a video montage of his year at the countdown. He didn’t need the flashiness becuase it was just “a giant party with your best friends,” as he kept saying. Zeds Dead was even brought out for a song before they took the stage! Unforgettable way to enter 2024.
8. Tape B @ Ogden Theatre (Night 2 – Driptapes)
Yo Tape B show ‘em how it’s done!! And he sure did. He brought all of his DripTapes classics and even new IDs we hadn’t heard before. I swear this man will be headlining Red Rocks before we know it. He had a new stage design and blew me away with his production at Ogden Theatre. I saw him 5 times this year and this one took the # 1 spot.
9. Of The Trees @ Red Rocks
He brought the bangers and even threw in his new IDs and songs with one being with Barclay Crenshaw who he brought onstage for their new song. The entire lineup was elite and the production was amazing for Red Rocks! A chill chilly night at the rocks, but a beautiful way to end the season of Red Rocks shows as it was the very last one.
10. Excision @ Mission Ballroom (Detox Set)
Being on the rail for this was incredible. Top tier openers and top tier visuals. I had never experienced an Excision Detox Set, but it is something I will never miss now.
Notable Mentions in No Particular Order :
Zingara @ Vortex Fest
Daily Bread @ Bonnaroo
Mersiv @ Imagine
Wooli @ Cyclops Coliseum
Dirt Monkey @ Mission Ballroom
Dom Dolla @ Red Rocks
Rezz @ Imagine Fest
Zeds Dead @ Decadence CO
Tape B @ Offbeats Hideout
*videos are not my own
