out·li·er | \ ˈau̇t-ˌlī(-ə)r \
An extreme deviation from the mean.
The definition of the actual word strays not far from the ideology of musical curator Simon Green’s (better known by the stage name Bonobo) newest international concert series by the same name. With Outlier, a title also shared by Bonobo’s NTS-hosted live radio show, Green presents multiple unique 1-night events designed as immersive and social experiences for fans of dance music across many genres.
The Outlier experience most recently visited Denver’s own Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum for a night of dancing- with performances by Catching Flies, B. Traits, Quantic, Mall Grab, Tokimonsta, and Bonobo himself. While the music was mostly on point for the majesty of the billed artists, the overall venue setting was imaginative and pushed the bounds of creativity in a live music setting. The 5,000 person dance floor sprawled across the surface area of an airplane hanger, sitting evenly between two aisles on the outer end of the room that housed planes of different shapes and sizes. As much as the room emitted the feeling of being in an active airplane hanger, it was also shaped with the lighting and decor of a warehouse rave- making the experience just as fresh as it was familiar.
Over the course of 5 hours of music, each dj took fans through a journey of sounds, sensations, and emotions that surely created lasting memories for attendees. Music styles wove through genres such as techno, house, breakbeat, and hip-hip; the seamless variation in music styles throughout the night can be attributed to the genius of Green and his taste and outlook in dance music. Furthermore, the success and flawless execution of this event hopefully means much greater things for the venue and the Outlier series going forward.
Photos/Review: Jason Myers
