Porter Robinson celebrates a decade of music with fans – Pasadena Star News

“I've been traveling for about 12 to 13 years now and I can remember some of the faces from the beginning. Is there anyone here from the Spitfire tour?” asked Porter Robinson, sitting at the edge of the stage with his acoustic guitar. The Hollywood Bowl erupted in cheers, hands shooting up in recognition and excitement.

“That was my first tour ever. This is crazy,” he continued with gratitude. “My music has changed so much over the years and I appreciate you sticking with it. Thank you for listening to Porter Robinson.”

The crowd, a sea of ​​glowing lights and expectant faces, wasn't just witnessing a performance; They experienced a journey together. For many, including Robinson, the tumult of youth was difficult. During these formative years, he battled chronic depression and anxiety and found solace in music while living a suburban life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Here he discovered simple music production software on his laptop, a pivotal moment.

His early demo tracks caught the attention of EDM mogul Skrillex, who signed him to his label when Robinson was just 18 and thrust him into the spotlight with the release of “Spitfire” in 2011.

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

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Porter Robinson brought the smiles! World Tour to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, October 11th. (Randall Michelson/Live Nation-Hewitt Silva)

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But the path to success was not without its shadows. The loss of his younger brother Mark to Burkitt's lymphoma left an indelible mark on Robinson and gave his music a deep emotional resonance. After the success of his 2014 album Worlds, which mixed euphoric synth-pop with escapist themes, grief weighed heavily on him, often threatening to overshadow his career and drive him to the brink of quitting music altogether .

However, instead of succumbing to despair, he turned his pain into art and birthed a new wave of music that expressed his struggles and brought comfort to others.

During this time, Robinson moved away from mainstream EDM and launched his side project Virtual Self in 2017, an homage to early rave culture and rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution. This project marked both a creative reset and a breakthrough, earning him a Grammy nomination and rekindling his passion for creating music.

However, it wasn't until the release of Nurture in 2021 that Robinson began a new artistic direction. The album represented a shift toward introspection and emotional honesty. It went beyond escapism and explored themes of self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the simple beauty of everyday life. Robinson has described this album as a love letter to ordinary experiences and the people around him, signaling a profound change in his approach to life and music.

This cyclical pattern of drawing from personal trials and turning them into art resonates with his fans. Ezekial Aquino, a 27-year-old from Newport Beach, said: “I first found Porter Robinson when I started college. I remember being in a friend's dorm room and struggling with my mental health at the time. We had a few drinks and he started playing “Divinity” from the world record. Something emotional came over me. I’ve been a fan ever since.”

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His friend Lisa Manalo shared a similar sentiment: “I found Porter at a time when life felt confusing and overwhelming. I first heard his world record when a friend played it in the car on a trip north. We spent the entire car ride listening to that record and I never looked back. His music makes you feel like what you're going through and who you are is okay. It’s enough to be where you are right now.”

That shared bond was palpable on Oct. 11 at the Hollywood Bowl, where Robinson played in front of a sea of ​​loyal fans who have followed him through nearly a decade of evolution. The setlist reflected this evolution, starting with songs from his last album “Smile!”, released in July this year, through to defining moments in his career.

As the first notes of “Knock Yourself Out XD” echoed through the bowl, the screens showed the SMILE! Timeline of the era, ranging from July 2024 to the present.

It's a feeling reminiscent of what Swifties experienced during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, where she seamlessly moved through crucial phases of her career, with each era having personal and cultural significance. Robinson took a similar approach, drawing direct inspiration from Swift. In fact, Robinson shared in recent TikToks that Swift's tour was a game-changer for himself. His fans got a front-row seat at the Hollywood Bowl to witness this vision – an intimate journey through the records and moments that shaped him, charting his evolution from breakout DJ to a 32-year-old artist embracing new sounds dedicated. This tour also marked a change for Robinson, who performed much of the show with a full band, adding depth and nuance to his music.

Each song was a chapter in his story, a journey through his musical development. Visually, it was stunning and touched the hearts of millennials. The screens reflected the nostalgic days of the Myspace era and online culture.

Taking first place on the current record were tracks like “Perfect Pinterest Garden” and “Year of the Cup,” where fans caught him sitting on a large blue cup.

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Transitioning into the Nurture era, Robinson performed “Wind Tempos” and “Musician,” with the timeline highlighting the years 2019 to 2023. This era marked a period of introspection and growth and reflected his continued development as an artist. The crowd sang along, their voices mingling with the ethereal melodies, creating a powerful communal experience.

The third set, dedicated to the Worlds album, an era spanning 2012-2016, felt like a homecoming. Robinson performed “Sea of ​​Voices” and “Goodbye to a World,” taking fans back to a time when many were first discovering their connection to his music. The emotional significance of these songs became clear as fans danced and swayed, united in their appreciation for the artist who had soundtracked their lives.

“Worlds was where it all started for me,” said Lisa Cho, a Porters fan for more than a decade who traveled from San Diego. “He's released music before, but 'Worlds' is literally like a world unto itself. I don't remember ever hearing anything like this in the EDM community. It had heart and stories. I lost my father back then, and this album helped me in ways I don't think I'll ever understand. I always took night drives to find some peace of mind and I always sang the album. It was my peace. Now that I’m older, hearing it live again for the fifth time feels like the first time.”

As the show neared its climax, the energy peaked. For the encore, Robinson brought out his longtime friend, musical companion and collaborator Madeon for a stunning rendition of 2016's “Shelter,” a song that perfectly encapsulates the journey of their friendship and collaboration. The audience erupted in cheers, the excitement palpable as the two artists performed together, creating a moment that felt both nostalgic and fresh.

As the evening came to a close with “Cheerleader” from “Smile!”, the atmosphere was electric. Robinson's growth as an artist mirrored the growth of his fans, with everyone in the crowd sharing their own stories of struggle, resilience and triumph. In that moment, the Hollywood Bowl became more than just a venue; it transformed into a sanctuary, a place where music offered hope and connection.

Porter Robinson's performance wasn't just a concert; It was a celebration of shared experiences, an acknowledgment of the trials and light found in music.