By Armando

The Chainsmokers

Last year was a career highlight for The Chainsmokers. After building a fan base and mainstream pop success with “#Selfie” and “Roses”, the duo hit it big with “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Closer”, a one-two punch at the charts that brought the duo worldwide success and a Grammy Award. So it’s only expected that this tour will follow through. Based on the reception of the crowd last night, the timing is just right.

The Chainsmokers, an EDM-pop duo consisting of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, performed their chart hits Tuesday night in front of the loud crowd, albeit predominantly teenage girls, amid elaborate lighting and stage production at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK.

It was a very tight show full of flames, pyrotechnics, giant screens, rising stage, and multiple set designs. They seamlessly mixed live band performance with the club atmosphere of the stage. There is always something happening to entertain a generally young hype-active crowd, and kept their energy high throughout the night. I admit some of their cheesy choreography were out of left field boy-band moments. But there is no deep existential meaning to it: you come to their show to enjoy their music, leave your snotty attitude at the door, have fun and that’s what they delivered.

The show was complex with various stage changes, but well executed down to the tee, leaving little impromptu and audience interaction. The artists felt bigger than life and distant even from the front row. Towards the end of the show Andrew did run across down the stage to hi-five the fans. He also played multiple instruments throughout the night, suggesting he might be more than just the vocals of the act. He filled in for Chris Martin for “Something Just Like This”. Martin will probably show up in a few venues, but Tulsa wasn’t as lucky. It was also Alex Pall’s birthday (24th, according to Taggard, jokingly). With the sold out show in Tulsa and the upcoming Billboard Music Awards, for which they are the top nominee, the duo has plenty to celebrate.

After seeing the show, there is no denying that the Chainsmokers is at the top of their game. It was a big, entertaining and spectacular show fitting for the hot artist of the moment, and crowd reciprocated in kind. They successfully crossed over from their EDM roots to mainstream pop, a tricky formula to get right. As with many artists who break out into music stardom, they received somewhat of a post-Closer backlash after their debut album received mixed to negative reviews. But last night, that didn’t seem to matter.
Armando
The Chainsmokers is currently on a North American tour in support of their album, “Memories…Do Not Open”. American DJ Whethan opened the show followed by special guest “Kiiara” and featured Emily Warren on vocals throughout the night.
Armando

Armando