Every so often an event comes along that stands out among the rest. Armed with a finesse that is almost unmatched in the EDM production game, Gary Richards of HARD manages to stage some of the finest electronic music events available to fans today. This year Richards brought HARD back to the majestic Red Rocks Amphitheater for it’s sophomore run, and needless to say, expectations were not only fulfilled but exceeded. Heralded headliner’s Nero and Dillon Francis delivered meticulous performances, inciting a massive dance party that, despite the biting Colorado wind, could not be deterred. Before the event, WhiteRaverRafting brought you an artist spotlight, outlining the backgrounds and performance tactics of Rudimental, Dillon Francis, and Nero. Prepare to be filled with a painful longing for next year with this corresponding event review, which will take you on a walk (or dance, perhaps) down memory lane.
RUDIMENTAL
Having never heard of Rudimental prior to HARD, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Although the group is reported to consist of a songwriting quartet, only two members performed at HARD. This absence did not prevent an epic set, however, especially with the compounding of a live trumpet player and vocalist. Characterized by a deep house meets drum n’ bass sound, the music of Rudimental can be aptly described as forward-thinking, as the group demonstrates a cutting-edge musicianship that is few and far between in today’s EDM scene. The incorporation of live instrumentation and vocalists only serves to amplify the British group’s it-factor, setting them apart from the pack.
About halfway through the set, Rudimental took it to the next level by introducing touring female vocalist Ann-Marie. Famous for her killer voice and even more killer fashion sense, Ann-Marie is the cherry on top of Rudimental’s production, providing an extra element of intrigue to an already stellar performance.
Rudimental’s set seamlessly introduced the upcoming headliners by raising the energy of the crowd and leaving the audience eager for more. To introduce the following act, Rudimental paid homage to Dillon Francis by inviting the women in the crowd to come on stage and twerk. As expected, the crowd went bananas in celebration and anticipation for the upcoming set.
DILLON FRANCIS
Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Dillon Francis has nothing to do with the man himself, but rather with his bizarre, cult-like, fan following. If you had no idea that Dillon Francis was performing that day, it wouldn’t take long to figure it out. Thousands of costumed aficionados descended on Red Rocks, decked out in outfits parading Francis’ iconic performance symbols. Pineapples, pizza, kitty cats, and large cutouts of Francis’ face surrounded us, and even for those who aren’t a fan of his famous Moombahton sound, the passionate riot he incites is enough to keep even the biggest hater thoroughly entertained.
Yes, this courageous gentlemen is eating a pineapple with the spikes still attached.
Dillon Francis is a performer, to say the least. His music is hard-hitting and dance-encouraging, but what really keeps the crowd entertained is the addition of hilarious visuals. Fabio, cats with Francis’ face superimposed, and dancing slices of pizza are just a few of the odd graphics that add an extra touch of humor to the producer’s already outlandish sets. Another interesting addition to Francis’ live performances is the addition of “The Gary,” a 3D LED DJ booth inspired by the abstract style of architect Frank Gehry. With all of the engaging performance pieces, it’s hard to pay the actual producer any thought, which may just be Francis’ intention.
For anyone who hasn’t done so already, I highly recommend that every electronic fan makes a point to see a live Dillon Francis performance. I use the word ‘performance’ and not ‘show’ because of the many elements Francis brings to his sets, making his concerts some of the most visually-stimulating around. As someone who isn’t a huge moombahton fan, I had a fantastic time simply witnessing the Dillon Francis-style chaos; HARD wouldn’t have been the same without him.
NERO
The evening concluded with a memorable set by none other than British dubstep royalty, NERO. An element of mystery and secrecy surrounds NERO, as the duo manages to preserve a certain level of anonymity, shifting the focus more to the incredible music they produce. The face of NERO could be more accurately portrayed by their chief vocalist, Alana Watson, the blonde bombshell whose powerhouse voice is synonymous with the mind-numbing drops of NERO.
Watson is as much fashionista as she is vocalist, constantly stunning the crowd with her booming voice and meticulous outfit choices. A strong aura and a radiating confidence surrounds the singer, her solid voice meshing perfectly with NERO’s thunderous sound. Watson graced the stage for fan favorites, including “Promises,” “Me and You,” and latest hit “Satisfy,” dramatically floating around the stage in edgy, ominous looks that any fashion-forward person would appreciate.
Personally, I didn’t find NERO half as exciting when Watson wasn’t on stage. Standing in stark contrast to Dillon Francis, NERO is the embodiment of two hardcore DJs whose talent lies solely in their production, rather than performance value. The duo lacks a real stage presence and prefers to hide behind their music, which is an honorable trait but not exactly appropriate for a live setting. It’s obvious that NERO takes their music seriously and a strict attention to detail shines through, however their set fell flat when Watson was not present.
Overall, NERO delivered a satisfactory performance. Any fan of electronic music could appreciate the meticulous nature of the pair’s work, even in spite of their uneventful stage antics. If the duo could find a way to keep Watson on stage throughout their live sets (I’m still working out how she would pull off so many outfit changes), the experience may be a bit more memorable.
HARD is a landing spot for some of EDM’s biggest fans, and that fact was more than evident at this year’s triumphant Red Rocks return. As impressive as all of the musical performances were, what fascinated me further was the diverse crowd. People of all ages and walks of life were present at HARD (seriously, I met a 10-year-old raver), creating a community of misfits that accurately reflected the disparate EDM community. Weird was the word at this year’s HARD, and I, for one, felt strangely at peace.
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