Ghostland Observatory’s deaf-defying Boulder feat
Some concerts are more exciting than others at the Fox Theatre.
The Fox Theatre was filled to capacity, people elbow to elbow with their neighbor. The heat alone felt like sparks could ignite from dancing too close or grinding hip to hip. As the tiny venue clouded with smoke too thick to see through, there was an ominous feeling that this could be the end for a venue full of victims.
And then the lasers came.
“The lights were trip-tacular,” said Cody St Arnold a 20-year-old sophomore open-option major.
Ghostland Observatory’s show on April 19 was sold out and could be described as nothing less than epic. Aaron Behrens had a stage presence that rivaled any other as he strutted around in the smoke and lasers like a preacher at a twisted tent revival show.
DJ Chordata opened the show but received far less dancing or enthusiasm from the anxious crowd. His beats remained upbeat, predictable and just exciting enough to tide over an anxiously chanting crowd until the headliner could appear.
A man of few words, Behrens completed his first set without addressing the audience. He appeared in a thick smog of smoke, godly in his spotlight, and instantly began the show. Each song flowed into the next and gave little room to recover from the catchy beats of the song before.
When he finally did speak, Behrens thanked the audience for bringing so much energy to the room.
“I can tell you kids are crazy,” Behrens said. “You came here to get things off your mind. I don’t care who you are in this world, we all got trouble sometime. But you seem like happy people.”
The lights and effects surpassed the usual fare for the Fox Theatre. The smoke machines kept the room well stocked with haze for the entirety of the show as dazzling rainbow lasers slid through the drifting wisps. Audience members took turns tilting their heads back to watch the array of patterns crisscrossing above their heads, some reaching out as if the brilliant sight was tangible.
Though Behrens only played guitar in a couple of songs and allowed Thomas Ross Turner to shine with his synthesizer, his dancing made up for his instrumental shortcomings. Pulling his knees high and pumping his fists, Behrens strutted around the stage. His two braids whipped around as he spun around with his arms spread like propellers.
The music focused on the band’s earlier album, “Paparazzi Lightning,” but they did not exclude their newest release. The audience seemed willing to receive anything they could dance to.
Sensory overload yielded a stunned audience as they yelled to friends and strangers alike about the staggering show.
“I’m going to be deaf for a week and I couldn’t be happier,” said Neal Fischer a 22-year-old senior English major.
Contact Campus Press staff reporter Carolyn Michaels at Carolyn.michaels@colorado.edu.
