“I’ve been on the road for about 12 to 13 years now, and I remember some faces from the beginning. Anyone here from the Spitfire tour?” Porter Robinson asked, perched on the edge of the stage with his acoustic guitar. The Hollywood Bowl erupted in cheers, hands shooting up in recognition and enthusiasm.
“That was my first-ever tour. That’s insane,” he continued, his voice thick with gratitude. “My music has changed so much throughout the years, and I appreciate you for sticking around through it all. Thank you for listening to Porter Robinson.”
The crowd, a sea of glowing lights and expectant faces, was not just witnessing a performance; they were experiencing a shared journey. For many, including Robinson, the tumult of adolescence was heavy. He battled chronic depression and anxiety during those formative years, finding solace in music while living a suburban life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It was here that he discovered a simple music production software on his laptop, a pivotal moment.
His early demo tracks went on to capture the attention of EDM mogul Skrillex, who signed him to his label when Robinson was just 18, propelling him into the spotlight with the release of “Spitfire” in 2011.
Yet, the path to success was not without its shadows. The loss of his younger brother Mark to Burkitt lymphoma left an indelible mark on Robinson, infusing his music with deep emotional resonance. The grief weighed heavily on him after the success of his 2014 record “Worlds”, which blended a euphoric synth-pop with escapist themes, and often threatened to overshadow his career and drive him to the brink of quitting music altogether.
However, rather than succumbing to despair, he transformed his pain into artistry, birthing a new wave of music that spoke to his struggles and offered solace to others.
During that period, Robinson stepped away from mainstream EDM and launched his side project, Virtual Self, in 2017, paying 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 music creation.
Though it wasn’t until “Nurture,” released in 2021, that Robinson fully embraced a new artistic direction. The album represented a shift towards introspection and emotional honesty. He moved beyond escapism to embrace 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 how he approaches both life and music.
This cyclical pattern of drawing from personal trials and transforming them into art resonates with his fans. Ezekial Aquino, a 27-year-old from Newport Beach, shared, “I first found Porter Robinson when I was beginning college. I remember being at a friend’s dorm room, and at the time, I was struggling with mental health. We were having a few drinks, and he started to play ‘Divinity’ off the Worlds record. Something emotional washed over me. I’ve been a fan ever since.”
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His girlfriend, Lisa Manalo, echoed a similar sentiment: “I found Porter at a time when life felt confusing and overwhelming. I first heard his Worlds record through a friend playing it in the car while taking a trip up north. We spent the entire car ride listening to that record, and I never looked back. His music makes you feel like what you go through and who you are is okay. Just being where you’re at is enough.”
This shared connection was palpable at the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 11, where Robinson played to a sea of devoted supporters who have journeyed alongside him through nearly a decade of evolution. The setlist reflected this evolution, starting with songs from his most recent album released in July of this year, “Smile!,” and moving through pivotal moments in his career.
As the first notes of “Knock Yourself Out XD” echoed through the Bowl, screens displayed the SMILE! era timeline, spanning from July 2024 to the present.
It’s a sentiment reminiscent of what Swifties experienced during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, where she seamlessly moved through pivotal phases of her career, each era holding personal and cultural significance. Robinson took a similar approach, directly drawing inspiration from Swift. In fact, in recent TikToks, Robinson shared that Swift’s tour was a key influence on his own. His fans at the Hollywood Bowl got a front-row seat to that vision—an intimate journey through the records and moments that shaped him, showcasing his evolution from a breakout DJ to a 32-year-old artist embracing new sounds. This tour also marked a shift 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 evolution. Visually, it was stunning, pulling on the heartstrings of millennials. The screens reflected the nostalgic days of the Myspace era and online culture.
Coming in first from the recent 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 played “Wind Tempos” and “Musician,” with the timeline highlighting the years 2019 to 2023. This era marked a time of introspection and growth, reflecting his continued evolution 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 belonging to 2012-2016, felt like a homecoming. Robinson performed “Sea of Voices” and “Goodbye to a World,” transporting fans back to a time when many were first discovering their connection to his music. The emotional weight of these songs was evident as fans danced and swayed, united in their appreciation for the artist who had soundtracked their lives.
“Worlds is where it felt like it all began for me,” Lisa Cho, a fan of Porters for more than a decade who drove up from San Diego, shared. “He had music out before, but ‘Worlds’ is literally like a world in itself. I don’t remember ever hearing anything like it at the time in the EDM community. It had heart and stories. I lost my father at the time, and that album helped in ways I don’t think I’ll ever understand. I used to take night drives just to find some peace of mind and I would always blast that album. It was my peace. I’m older now, so hearing it live again for the fifth time feels like the first time for me again.”
As the show approached its climax, the energy reached a fever pitch. For the encore, Robinson brought out fellow longtime friend, music companion, and collaborator Madeon for a stunning rendition of “Shelter,” released in 2016, 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 night drew to a close with “Cheerleader” off of “Smile!,” the atmosphere was electric. Robinson’s evolution as an artist mirrored the growth of his fans, each person in the crowd carrying 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 was not just a concert; it was a celebration of shared experiences, an acknowledgment of the trials faced and the light found in music.
