ODESZA SHUTS DOWN THE BOWL
YOU JUST HAD TO BE THERE.
Ryan Kahler | October 2, 2023
Odesza performs at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Saturday, September 30, 2023. | Credit: Ryan Kahler
Odesza, let me just say, I was unfamiliar with your game. Let it be known: seeing a Odesza show is a experience you will never forget. I’ll admit it: I didn’t fully “get” ODESZA before this show. But here’s the thing about seeing an ODESZA show: you don’t listen to them, you experience them. If all other music is 2D... Odesza is a 4D experience.
The EDM duo, Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, began their rise when the two first crossed paths at Western Washington University where they started crafting music together. Near the end of their college years, they released their debut album, Summer’s Gone (2012), a critically praised project that marked the beginning of what would become a meteoric career. Two years later, they dropped In Return (2014), which shot straight to the top of Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart and delivered the platinum-certified hit “Say My Name.” A remix of the track by RAC went on to earn a Grammy nomination in 2016.
Their third album, A Moment Apart (2017), became one of the most anticipated electronic releases of the decade. The record secured two Grammy nods of its own — Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Dance Recording for “Line Of Sight” — and featured collaborations with powerhouse artists like Regina Spektor, Leon Bridges, and RY X.
Five long years after the release of A Moment Apart, the duo came back firing with a new album, The Last Goodbye. The album is signature ODESZA, full of lush soundscapes, grandiose moments and productions that are equally complex and emotive, with Mills and Knight embedding audio from old family videos into the songs. Coming out of the pandemic, the pair also say they were conscious of making this album especially danceable to provide listeners with the catharsis necessary after the global event. Listen to the album below.
Harrison Mills & Clayton Knight, 2022 | Credit: Avi Loud
In just eight years, Mills and Knight went from unknown college producers to headlining massive venues like The KIA Forum in Los Angeles and Barclays Center in New York City, and topping the lineups of major festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, and Outside Lands. Their success didn’t come from flashy marketing alone; it was built on a combination of streaming, networking, and an electrifying live show that famously incorporates an 11-piece band, a horn section, and a full marching drumline.
Most recently, the pair teamed up with ARIA-platinum Australian producer Golden Features (Tom Stell) to form the collaborative project BRONSON. Their self-titled debut album, released in August 2020, drew international acclaim from both fans and electronic music heavyweights like John Digweed, Pete Tong, Zane Lowe, and Anja Schneider. Within months, BRONSON amassed over 56 million streams, climbed to No. 3 and No. 5 on Billboard’s Heatseekers and Top Dance/Electronic Album charts, and earned a spot on Triple J’s coveted Hottest 100 List. The record blends dark, powerful instrumentals with cathartic, melodic vocal tracks, featuring artists such as Gallant, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and lau.ra of experimental rock group Ultraísta.
Odesza kicked off their Last Goodbye Tour last year for the first North American leg. Clearly the fans were satisfied as the duo announced a second leg of the tour, giving more fans in more cities the opportunity to experience their body of work the proper way. Guess it wasn’t the last goodbye after all! Their nearly sold-out amphitheater tour in support of the record kicked off June 16 in Montreal and will wrap up in Mexico City this October.
Harrison Mills, left, and Clayton Knight of ODESZA, perform in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times)
Odesza’s Music is Timeless
ODESZA first became prevalent in my life through a vivid account from a close friend who attended their landmark Coachella performance in 2018. “I’m not even kidding you this show changed my life,” she insisted. For many fans, including friends of mine who have walked down the aisle to ODESZA songs, their music isn’t just something you listen to — it’s something you live through. Their music resonates.
Their music, with relatable lyrics and cinematic melodies, taps into a universal human experience of trial and tribulation, love and loss. It feels like a visceral connection to something ancient, as if it’s woven into our very DNA. It evokes a sense of unity, a feeling of being part of something larger than oneself.
Their songs are often about capturing deep emotional experiences, like connection, introspection, growth, and nostalgia. When you are in love and want to squeeze them just a little hard. The lack of judgment and shame, replaced with feelings of elation and freedom. The caring for one another and knowing that even though you may not know someone, they feel the same for you just because it’s the humane thing to do.
With their music, you can definitely feel the soul in the sound. They also have serious attention to detail in the production of their music- from sampling to the features they use, mastering, and VIP remixes. The amazing thing about odesza is that the music itself, even without lyrics, can tug at your heart strings. Putting lyrics and music together, it’s magical.
Yet, amidst their popularity, the fervor for ODESZA remained a mystery to me. I found their music undeniably well produced and catchy, but not life changing. Fast forward to July 2022 when ODESZA released their album The Last Goodbye to resounding success. In June of the following year, they embarked on their album tour, venturing through cities like Montreal, Milwaukee, Columbus, New Orleans, and San Diego. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to witness ODESZA’s Santa Barbara show. I can confidently say I wasn’t let down.
So what is “it” about an Odesza show?
As someone who hadn’t been pulled into ODESZA’s orbit, attending The Last Goodbye Tour proved eye opening. Not only did I leave with a deep understanding of the hype, also an overwhelming desire to share my experience with fellow skeptics. So, to those who have yet to be completely captivated by ODESZA, here are some compelling reasons why I believe you should experience their magic at least once in your lifetime.
From the very first song, “This Version of You” featuring Julianna Barwick, it was evident that ODESZA’s production value is an art form in itself. The way the lights radiated from the stage and the LED screens painted a vivid new world captivated the audience. The visual portrayal of the “real you” on the screens immersed us in an experience both communal and entirely individualized.
The production elements – lights, visuals, sound – transformed the show into an immersive journey, transcending the conventional roles of attendee and performer. Here, ODESZA acted as a conduit for the experience, not the experience itself. Every element, from the strategic use of special effects to the intricate layering of visuals and lighting, was meticulously crafted to elevate the musical journey and demand complete engagement. Instead of being a passive viewer, I felt like an integral part of the performance.
Their live shows have a high level of attention to detail and care, and I think a lot of people appreciate the stark contrast between Harrison & Clayton up there with live brass instruments and a full drumline vs the typical 'guy with a laptop' (nothing against that).
For me “it" was the live drumline. The most iconic component of the ODESZA show is their drumline. It’s the cornerstone of their immense popularity. I considered myself a fan before seeing them live, but holy shit the drumline changed everything.
From the initial appearance of the drumline for Behind the Sun, I could tell I was in for a treat. Beyond being incredibly entertaining to watch, the act of drumming taps into a primal essence of the human experience. It also pays homage to the earliest forms of music, triggering a deep instinct within the listener and connecting them to rhythms and experiences that are both ancient and timeless.
Odesza & Drumline Perform “Don’ Stop” at the SB Bowl, September 30, 2023. | Ryan Kahler
The drumline was an integral part of the performance, adding a component unlike any other live electronic show I’ve seen. There are songs like Falls and Say My Name that are great on Spotify, but they don't compare to Bloom or Corners of the Earth played live. Every other attendee seemed as enamored as I was with the drumline.
What I learned is that Odesza’s music resonates on a profound level with a diverse audience. It creates a shared experience — a connection that transcends individual preferences. Amidst the dancing bodies and banging drums, I noticed the crowd consisted of people from all walks of life. Some fans knew the lyrics by heart, while others, like myself, simply caught the vibe. Altogether, I felt no judgment, rather entirely welcome. Their ability to create this profound sense of togetherness is what sets them apart.
While ODESZA foster a deep sense of community at their shows, they also emphasize the individual experience, where the attendee is just as much a part of the show as ODESZA themselves. In the case of The Last Goodbye Tour, they set the intention for rediscovery — a moment of communion with a former self.
From the onset of the performance, ODESZA intentionally played tracks “This Version of You” and “All My Life,” both with faint voices echoing shared memories from childhood. Through these intricate sounds, they were able to evoke emotions and memories, creating a soundtrack to our past.
Looking about the stadium, expressions of surrender revealed the deep resonance with memories deeply embedded in our consciousness. The music provided each listener with a personal, abstract, yet rhythmic journey, using dance music to facilitate a transformative experience.
As a non-fan, experiencing The Last Goodbye Tour was an eye-opener. Their live show is second to none, it's hard not to be impressed by that experience. I truly felt a part of the narrative being told, a seamless blend of individual and collective experiences. ODESZA’s ability to create a visceral experience for their audience, all without resorting to formulaic music, is a testament to their artistry. The show as a whole defies categorization and should be witnessed by everyone, fan or not. It’s not simply music. It’s a journey back to you.
