When it comes to music, there is something magical about Colorado. From rock and roll to bluegrass and everything in between, the state's rich musical history traverses the entire genre gamut, and consistently purveys to other regions like a tributary. The String Cheese Incident, Firefall, The Lumineers, Sugarloaf, The Fray, – the list goes on. And who could forget the late John Denver, who changed his last name in honor of Colorado.
With such a diverse backstory, it is only fitting that Colorado has become a hub for electronic dance music culture. In a day and age where music festivals both sprout overnight and become saturated at the drop of a hat, Denver's Decadence NYE stands the test of time. The two-day festival at Colorado Convention Center announced a mouthwatering lineup featuring a multitude of A-list artists, including Flume, Disclosure, Bassnectar, Keys N Krates, Zeds Dead, and The Chainsmokers, who EARMILK had the distinct pleasure of speaking to ahead of the festival's 6th iteration. Having just watched their smash "Closer" eclipse a collective one-billion views on YouTube and break the record for most weeks atop Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, Drew Taggart and Alex Pall are on a mission to galvanize the Colorado crowd with their insanely infectious sound and live persona.
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The 'work hard, play hard' Chainsmokers are a perfect fit to perform in the idyllic setting of Decadence. The dynamic NYC-born hitmakers have enjoyed a breakout year that saw them deeply influence the modern musical zeitgeist as they dominated the global airwaves, traveled the world on a ubiquitous tour, and shared the studio with legends like Coldplay's Chris Martin, among others. This year, The Chainsmokers also made their debut at Colorado's iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, one of the most highly coveted concert venues in the world due to it's crisp, natural acoustics. The guys have always been smitten by Colorado:
"Colorado is a music state, it's a place that prides themselves on concerts and good experiences and that is evident in every show put on there. Ask any artist, it's all about Colorado."
With hedonistic undertones that are almost palpable, Decadence NYE is the ideal festival to ring in the new year. Using the joyous-yet-mystical aura of the Denver winter, Decadence aims to offer the concert-goer an unforgettable experience through its diamond-clad decor, futuristic displays of technology, and luxurious art installations. The Chainsmokers are poised to follow suit, promising an "insanely immersive experimental experience" for their loyal fans. When asked if they could shed some light on any special antics planned for this emphatic show, they were succinct, but far from cryptic:
"Not at the moment, but we may have a new tune."
Fans of The Chainsmokers will be ecstatic to know that their Decadence set is only the beginning of their next momentous chapter as touring artists. Having just dropped an impressive remix package of their track "Setting Fires," The Chainsmokers are heading into 2017 white-hot, and they plan on keeping their feet on the gas pedal:
