For anyone with even a passing interest in electronic music, Porter Robinson is a household name. Emerging in the golden era of Madeon and Skrillex, his genre-defying sound has earned him a devoted following across the EDM world. On Monday night, that sound found a home in Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre as he brought his ‘SMILE!’ tour to an adoring Irish crowd.
Neo, a longtime fan I got chatting to in the front row pointed out a clever easter egg: every warm-up track played over the sound system referenced smiling in some way. It was a subtle but fitting prelude to a night that was as thrilling as it was.
Robinson opened the set with ‘Knock Yourself Out XD’ – the isolated video-game synth riff immediately transported the audience into his hyper-color world. A large LCD screen behind the stage flickered to life, flashing everything from “SMILE! XD” to “B*tch, I’m Taylor Swift”, interwoven with vibrant pop-art, anime-inspired visuals and cartoon-like symbols. His signature comedic flair was on display, too – at one point he quipped that his Brazilian butt lift was “the greatest thing I’ve done for my insecurities,” sending the crowd into fits of laughter.
The setlist was a journey through Robinson’s decade-long evolution and balanced fresh material with beloved classics. Early on he leaned into his newer work and as the night grew on, the classics that so many EDM fans know and love were revealed.
One of the most euphoric moments came with ‘Divinity’, the soaring 2014 track that remains a staple of Robinson’s catalog. As the glowing orbs encircling him pulsed to the rhythm, he stepped back to let bandmate and bassist Margot Liotta take over vocals. Despite the dance tracks huge sound, a nostalgic softness seemed to sweep over every long-time fan in the front row. Divinity brings an emotional weight like few other tracks of its kind.
Dublin got an extra surprise during the encore when Robinson and his band covered Fontaines D.C.’s track, ‘Favourite’. Putting a unique, gritty spin on the track, they amped up the electric guitars and gave the vocals a more urgent edge. Robinson had recently performed the cover on Australia’s Triple J Like A Version, where it quickly went viral.
The show carried on well past 11p.m and by the time the final notes faded, it was hard to imagine a single fan leaving disappointed. Having witnessed plenty of EDM acts live, it’s easy to say that Porter Robinson’s creative talents are a step above most. The SMILE! tour show provided us the complete, start to finish adventure.
Support on the night came from Underscores. She commanded the stage, delivering a performance that is sure to pick her up a hefty number of new fans.
Underscores photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Cops and robbers
My guy – Corporate shuffle
Poplife
Stupid – Can’t run from the urge
Old money bitch
harvest sky (Oklou cover)
B.O.A.T. (Camila Cabello cover)
Spoiled little brat
Locals – Girls like us
Porter Robinson photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Knock Yourself Out XD
Perfect Pinterest Garden
Kitsune Maison Freestyle
Mona Lisa
Year of the Cup
Easier to Love You
Is There Really No Happiness?
Russian Roulette
Wind Tempos
Musician
Something Comforting
Everything Goes On
Get Your Wish
Unfold
Trying to Feel Alive
Sweet Time
Lifelike / Get Your Wish
Look at the Sky
What Was I Made For? / Goodbye to a World
Sea of Voices
Divinity
Fresh Static Snow
Hollowheart
Language
Goodbye to a World
Sad Machine
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Favourite (Fontaines D.C. cover)
Shelter
Everything To Me
Knock Yourself Out XD / Kitsune Maison Freestyle / Something Comforting / Sad Machine / Cheerleader (snippets of all)
Cheerleader
Photos & Words by Myles Dunne – @MylesDunnePhoto