Of The Trees Captivates with a Stunning Red Rocks Performance
There’s an extraordinary allure to the way music resonates at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The majestic red sandstone formations enhance every melody as you stand bathed in the moonlight, creating an electrifying atmosphere that links body, mind, and spirit to each sound. Anyone who has experienced an event here knows precisely what I mean.
As I noted in last year’s event review, Of The Trees is among my favorite artists, making my return to Red Rocks an obvious choice. His night one lineup featured a diverse array of talent, including Mindchatter, Resonate Language, Anna Morgan, Posij, and Sylph. The breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s iconic rock formations combined with Of The Trees’ artistic vision resulted in a truly spiritual evening.
For this year’s set, I aimed to experience Of The Trees’ artistry without any distractions and to appreciate it as it was meant to be. His woodland mossy tree house stage design and the mesmerizing 360 LED walls surrounding him transported the audience into new realms, providing ample stimulation and wonder in itself.
I’m not suggesting that one can’t enjoy a performance without substances. However, in this review, I want to emphasize a few key aspects that stood out during my sober experience with one of my favorite artists at Red Rocks. You might be surprised to hear that witnessing the master at work was just as thrilling without any external aids—perhaps even more so.
Why rely on substances when Of The Trees controls the decks?
Let’s be honest—once this sound guru steps onto any stage, you know he brings the heat. Put him on the Red Rocks stage, and it’s like having a flame next to gasoline.
From the very beginning, he set the tone with “Muscaria.” The electricity surged through the crowd as they jumped to the beat, releasing pent-up energy in that exhilarating moment. I felt an organic, music-induced high right from the start.
I absorbed the visuals in their full glory without wondering if they were enhanced.
Of The Trees is known for his stunning visual presentations at Red Rocks. This year, he collaborated with dark.moon.designs to create a rustic mossy tree house surrounded by captivating visual displays, crafting a magical world far removed from reality.
The imagery around him cycled through breathtaking journeys for the eyes, from a cozy cabin with a fireplace to a mystic forest. He also infused moments of controlled chaos that made me smile and feel grateful to witness all this hard work and creativity with a clear mind, appreciating its true beauty.
Connections in the crowd felt more genuine and pure.
The crowd can significantly influence an event’s atmosphere. Fortunately, Of The Trees typically attracts some of the best people, and this year, I found myself in a delightful bubble of friendly faces.
I chatted with some charming girls dressed as mushrooms, danced energetically with someone equally excited about the music, and offered water to those in need. I recognize these interactions could happen under any circumstance, but it felt rewarding to know I made these choices consciously, not influenced by substances.
It was the perfect night to appreciate the intricate mixing Of The Trees delivered.
With a clear head, I could fully appreciate the mixing genius he showcased. Of The Trees is an exceptional producer, and his skills in blending tracks are equally impressive—one of the many reasons I admire his artistry.
On night one, he delivered notable blends, like his collaboration with Barclay Crenshaw on “Blue Mile,” mixed with Buunshin’s remix of Ternion Sound’s track “Artifice.” The crowd erupted when he mashed up the rap classic “15th and the 1st” by Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame with “Mellow Man” by Distinct Motive, leading into EAZYBAKED’s “Certified.” It was an exhilarating experience.
Waking up the next day without dread was a refreshing feeling.
After the event, I left with my closest friends. We enjoyed some authentic birria tacos, shared our favorite moments from the night, and fell into a restful sleep. The best part? I woke up without headaches or hazy memories, able to recall the experience vividly without needing to sift through videos. Having experienced Of The Trees both under the influence and sober, I can confidently say he provides all the energy and elements necessary to feel uplifted without external aids.
I’m not here to dictate how you should live your life. I want to convey that if you’re concerned that attending a show sober will diminish your experience, you’re mistaken. In fact, you might be pleasantly surprised, especially when your favorite artist performs at 6,450 feet elevation in a sold-out show at one of the most stunning venues in the U.S.
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