ILLENIUM

Article by Brittany Ormiston

“Nothing can hold us down.” Being amidst electronic dance music (EDM) and rave culture at ILLENIUM’s tour stop in Indianapolis was memorable to say the least. There was a sense of community with the pure love for music uniting individuals from all backgrounds. Everyone was highly encouraged to be unique and different than all the rest. Many chose to express their creativity and individuality through their eccentric outfits. A sea of jerseys flooded the venue with ILLENIUM and the number three stitched onto the back of each one, the same number he used to wear during lacrosse in high school. The energy exuding from the crowd was that of good vibes and acceptance, which aligns with the main rave philosophy: Peace, Love, Unity, Respect (PLUR). The camaraderie of the crowd was a safe space for all to escape from the real world for just a few hours. On all three screens, ILLENIUM’s logo was spinning around as the crowd was getting amped up for the show ahead. 

ILLENIUM’s logo is a Phoenix which represents an immortal bird in Greek mythology that is reborn. The Phoenix symbolizes his past struggles with addiction, and his ability to rise from the ashes and transform into the person he is today. Music was his savior, and pulled him out of the dark depths of addiction. Creating music brings him peace, and allows him to process his emotions in a healthy way. ILLENIUM’s music in turn uplifts those who listen, and positively impacts the lives of countless individuals in unimaginable ways. Even in the live music environment, it was clear the vulnerability of ILLENIUM’s songwriting hit deep within and affected how his supporters viewed the world. ILLENIUM had cooked up an unforgettable setlist that had everyone on their feet and burning up the dance floor. 

“Indianapolis are you f— ready?” shouted ILLENIUM into the microphone during ‘Gold (Stupid Love).’  He went back to playing guitar, and as the beat dropped the entire pit threw their hands into the air. Fireworks were set off creating an array of colors, and flames shot up into the air from the stage releasing such a high level of heat it could be felt throughout the venue. The most chilling moment of the night was during ‘Good Things Fall Apart’ as the crowd sang the chorus, and their voices echoed throughout the amphitheater. The details of the visuals projected on the screen behind ILLENIUM’s platform truly brought the entire performance to life even further. As the guitarist made his way to center stage for ‘Shivering,’ visuals of the Arctic appeared to emphasize the lyrics of the track. The lightning strikes on the screen matched the lasers vigorously moving about the stage as the violinist delivered an exquisite performance during ‘Fragments.’ Fan favorites of the night included ‘Lifeline’ with live instrumentation out of this world, and the opportunity to sing ‘Anti-Hero’ with a venue full of people compared to singing it alone in the car on the daily.  

ILLENIUM has had quite the journey to get where he is today, but it can go without saying he is meant to be a songwriter, producer, and performer. His perseverance and dedication to his music and to Illenials, his fans, sets him apart from many artists. ILLENIUM’s talent shines through even further with his storytelling, and his ability to create and put on a live show in such a large capacity. The ‘ILLENIUM LIVE’ Tour launched a new chapter, and it was one for the books. Milestones were reached and an everlasting imprint was made on every tour stop, especially Indianapolis. ILLENIUM will continue to rise like a Phoenix with Illenials by his side for the foreseeable future. 

TCU Amphitheater in Indianapolis, IN on July 20, 2023

Photos by Everly Ormiston

All coverage for Unclear Magazine