Who is Pretty Lights?

Pretty Lights has made a triumphant return, sparking excitement across the music industry. Once a titan in the electronic music scene, Pretty Lights is reemerging through tours and headline performances, picking up right where he left off. However, after such a prolonged absence, many younger electronic music fans are left wondering, “Who is Pretty Lights, and how did he rise to prominence so quickly?”. I am excited to answer this question in this article.

Initially a duo, Pretty Lights quickly evolved into the solo project lead by Derek Smith, a true musical genius. Smith’s signature style blends live instruments with live editing, creating a fusion of calm electronica, glitch, and funk, all with by impeccable technical production. Artists like ODESZA and GRiZ have drawn inspiration from Pretty Lights, with their music echoing a similar vibe.

Throughout the 2010s, Pretty Lights dominated the scene with headline performances at major festivals worldwide, a Grammy nomination for “A Color Map of the Sun,” and the formation of the Pretty Lights Live band. His annual headline shows at the iconic Red Rocks venue became legendary, and he headlined that iconic venue for a decade straight.  Shortly after his 10^th performance at Red Rocks, Pretty Lights went on an indefinite hiatus to focus on himself.

During this five-year break, Pretty Lights maintained silence, leaving fans in the dark with no releases or social media activity. This radio silence led many fans who entered the electronic music scene during this period to be unfamiliar with his name and music. However, in early 2023, Pretty Lights made a spectacular return, unveiling the Soundship Spacesystem Tour, which quickly catapulted him back into the limelight.

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The tour, featuring stops at prestigious venues like the Brooklyn Mirage and The Caverns, showcased Pretty Lights’ enduring appeal. Scheduled headline performances at festivals like Bonnaroo and Electric Forest further solidify his comeback, drawing crowds eager to witness his new live set.

This new live experience is nothing short of breathtaking, with band members seamlessly editing sounds in real-time, offering a musical journey unlike any other. If you have the opportunity to see Pretty Lights live, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

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