Photos: Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort

Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Black, white and red composite of Pretty Lights performing at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV...

It has only been about a year since I had the happy accident of coming across the music of Denver, Colorado based Pretty LightsDerek Vincent Smith, the man behind the moniker, has seamlessly crafted one of the most unique electronic music hyperniches that I’ve had the pleasure of coming across in my musical exploration known as life.  Take the crate-digging elements of past hip-hop sampling gods a la mid-to-late 90’s DJ Shadow and mix with the likes of A.D.D.-friendly electro mashup groups like The Glitch Mob and sprinkle in a dash of old school Philadelphia soul and you (essentially) have the music of Pretty Lights.  The music however, cannot even begin to describe what takes place at a Pretty Lights show here in late 2011.

The lighting is mindblowing, pure and simple.  For reasons beyond my journalistic prowess, I can only assume that the creators of this interactive organic lighting entertainment system have indulged in multifaceted psychedelia and aim to entrance concertgoers in ways never before achieved.  Photographing this madness was no easy task, but I was able to walk away with several shots that make me proud to hold my Nikon D7000 DSLR.  The attached Nikon 50mm f/1.8D lens was fast enough to slow down the mile-a-minute lighting programming, while still communicating the excitement and elemental balance of the man at the helm.

The settings which I did keep static were the aperture and shutter speed at 1.8 and 1/250th of a second, respectively.  The ISO was something that I manually adapted to each stage as the lighting programs were unleashed, successfully utilizing a range of 100-3200 to achieve many favorable captures.  I invite you to view the full Pretty Lights gallery and share your favorites here and with your social networks; and for those of you who haven’t been to a Pretty Lights show in the past month or so — this is all brand-new — so get out there and rage on!

VIEW THE FULL PRETTY LIGHTS GALLERY HERE

Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Pretty Lights taking the stage at GSR...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Slightly reminiscent of Daft Punk's Alive 2007 tour...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
There are few words for how beautiful the interactive lighting was that evening...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
BOOM! Pretty Lights delivers a punch...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Pretty Lights? Check. Lens Flare? Check...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
The man in the mist...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
A wider angle take on the sensational Pretty Lights live performance...
Pretty Lights Crowd @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Silhouette of the raging Burning Man decompression crowd...
Pretty Lights Crowd @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
A spotlight washing over the sold out audience at Grand Sierra Resort...

 

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D


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Super-Happy Fun Bonus Pics!!!

Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
The happiest man ever...

Upcoming: Skrillex @ Knitting Factory Concert House [June 27]

Skrillex @ Knitting Factory 2011-06-27

YES OH MY GOD!  These were the first (screaming) lyrics we ever truly heard in a song by Los Angeles electro/dubstep/glitch producer, Skrillex, and for those brave enough to endure a bass-heavy headbangin’ evening at Knitting Factory Concert House on Monday, June 27th, you will assuredly hear those words, and many other electrified sounds blasting from the speakers.  I will be personally trying out my new earplugs (not that I don’t enjoy loud music, I’m just noticing a bit of a ‘ring’ in the ears lately after shows) and am beyond excited to get some face-to-lens time with ye old Sonny Moore aka Skrillex.

Who else will be there?  Young up-n-coming electro DJ/producer Porter Robinson, ‘big room bouncy house’ German electro favorite Zedd and special (Canadian) guest, Knight Riderz.  Get yo Monday night bass fix fa sho!

Will we see you there?  If so … make sure to get front and center against the barrier and show us your stuff!  Who knows, maybe you’ll be on the Home Page of IShootReno.com before July 1st rolls around?

$26-$65.  All Ages.  Get tickets.

Check out Skrillex on Amazon: Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP, Weekends!!! (ft. Sirah), Reptile’s Theme