Paul Oakenfold's Facelift tour came through Denver's Ogden Theater Friday Nov. 5. (courtesy photo)
For those who only know Paul Oakenfold’s 2002 chart topper “Starry Eyed Surprise,” they are missing out on an expansive discography of the most innovative trance and house music in the industry.
Spending the last 20 years creating remixes to hit songs and scoring many popular movies such as “Requiem for a Dream” and “The Bourne Identity” and such television shows as “Big Brother” and “The O.C.,” 47-year-old Oakenfold continues his colorful career with the release of his upcoming album, “Pop Killer.”
Oakenfold’s nation-wide Facelift Tour made a stop in Denver on Friday night at the Ogden. The show featured a mix of old hits and gave listeners a peek into what “Pop Killer” will bring. Though the show was not sold out, one couldn’t deny the loyalty of fans who did make an appearance.
Due to Oakenfold’s long and successful career, the ages in the crowd ranged from 16 to around 60. Regardless of age, the anticipation was high.
The audience wasn’t let down when opening act Len Freeman took the stage. His two-and a-half song performance, though a little long, warranted favorable reviews from the crowd.
Recognition of favorite songs flashed on people’s faces like the lights flashing on the dance floor. Songs such as Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” and The Temper Tramp’s “Sweet Disposition” were given a facelift. The crowd was even treated with Freeman’s rendition of Deadmau5’s “Ghosts n’ Stuff,” a Boulder favorite.
Oakenfold arrived to roaring applause at around 12:15 a.m. Not early enough for some, but his loyal fans brushed their exhaustion off and pressed on. With Oakenfold, there was no warm-up. He started his set off with harsh clanging beats that any other DJ would save till the end. He wowed the crowd with his mix of house and trance music.
The remix of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Otherside,” complete with steadier beats, rocked the house.
He also showed much of his work off of his 2003 album “Great Wall,” such as “Hypnotised” and the crowd-pleasing “Push.”
What made Oakenfold’s show stand out was his mixing of contrasting sounds. His incorporation of such sounds as a soft glockenspiel followed by hard bass and heart pumping beats kept the crowd alive and wanting more.
Oakenfold performed into the early hours, giving an encore performance that Denver won’t soon forget.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Taylor Evans at Taylor.evans@colorado.edu.
