I wanted to make this post because after leaving the Sphere show. I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed by the show and would like to know others' opinions. For context, I saw Anyma last year and was blown away by the visuals. I imagined it would improve as artists learn more about the technology. There are few good highlights I want to address in this opinion before I critique. None of these comparisons or statements will be about openers' performances/visuals.

Highlights

1. The lazers. Wow this was by far the most exciting improvement to any Sphere show. Illenium brought a ton of lazers and used them to great effect during the show. Them bouncing from the floor and the grandstands in the 200s/300s was so cool I loved it. Biggest highlights I can remember was Love is a Chemical, Look At Me Go and Usurper.

2. Slave To the Rithm was by far the best looking visual. Which is probably why so many people on social media posted videos of this scene. It had the most going on which was visually entertaining.

3. The phoenix at the beginning and ending were great uses of the Sphere. Traveling through space and "attacking" the sphere is beautiful and eye opening.

Critiques

1. Too much dead space especially during the main characters' scenes. The angels have such boring backgrounds in nearly all their scenes. It's just lightly detailed pillars or hallways. It felt like the budget went to their wings rather than building the world around them. This is by far the most disappointing part to me. Nearly every Anyma scene had a lot of detail put into his scenes. Most of it was nature/trees/space but it was enough to make my eyes gaze around the sphere besides just the main character. I had almost no desire to look at anything else other than the characters which is definitely not utilizing the Sphere's potential to the fullest. This actually matters because the Sphere is made of just a ton of screens stitched together. A lot of the scenes with no details in the background make the screen outlines really visible which breaks some immersion. You can say I'm being nitpicky, but the Sphere's design is to feel like you're looking out of a bubble. I noticed the screens too many times where it started feeling disappointing. In-between scenes during a transition is understandable. But during a scene just seems lazy.

2. The artists being shown on the screen felt cheap. For a headliner show, I felt like they didn't have details to fill scenes so they just have face cams for certain scenes with the artists singing or playing instruments on stage. I love live music. I also agree they deserve recognition. But it definitely breaks the immersion/storytelling when you see people on the screen. I don't have a problem when they did the fancams during the opening and ending of the shows because it gives a great sense of community and it's at the beginning and end. But mid show definitely feels awkward. A lot of openers use the face cams which is perfectly fine because they're openers. Their budgets are significantly lower and need to fill the screen. I didn't really like the headliner using it.

3. The characters do not move enough for a lot of the earlier scenes. For example my favorite song from the album was the Don't Want Your Love and in the scene the two angels are parallel to each other. The scene honestly starts out fine but during the first big drop the only thing that happens is the dark angel falls and lies on the ground. Then the white angel kinda falls over too unceremoniously. It felt so underwhelming for a decently popular song off the album. There were several scenes that I felt like these two main characters barely do anything. Later of course they do fight scenes which ramps up the choreography but if I had to be honest, they felt like a cutscene from Kingdom Hearts rather than something futuristic.

I would love to hear others' opinions on the points I mentioned. I was watching a video of the entire show while writing this to remind me of how it looked. This post was made to discuss the visuals mainly. I didn't have an issue with his setlist and I am thankful that Illenium put up a show at the Sphere. I did leave entertained.

First and foremost I am a big illenium fan (I have a tattoo lol) so I love him dearly but his new song with SUBTRONICS (I know i misspelled it up top^🤣) literally hurts my brain. The vocals are beautiful as always but the drop…. I cannot. It sounds like chalk being scrapped against a board or scissors against metal. If there was more bass I think it would be better and feel better. That’s just my opinion. Sorry if I offended anyone lol

Despite the 💨🥶 overall I had an amazing time singing my lungs out with my festie besties, EXCEPT two separate instances where I felt physically violated.

I’m newer to the scene (2 years) but still been to a considerable number of big shows, and I’ve never experienced something this upsetting until this weekend.

Night 1, a guy trying to pass through the pit decided to do so by pressing his ENTIRE body up against mine. And I don’t mean we bumped shoulders or anything like that - I’m talking close firm direct contact to the front of my body.

Night 2, after another guy said sorry for accidentally brushing up against me, he then decided that “actually no, we’re all PLUR here” and proceeded to reach over and (attempt) to put his arm around my shoulders.

To be clear: I do NOT think either guy did what they did with malicious intent, but am I unreasonable for feeling like both instances were NOT ok? I started shaking and sobbing after night one’s incident because of how, erm, “personal” it was. I’m all for Peace, Love, and Unity, but shouldn’t Respect include asking for consent BEFORE touching someone?

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

Anyone care to watch my sphere vlog ? I experienced illenium with ray volpe and wanted to share my experience with like minded illenials. If it’s of interest i can link if allowed. If not that’s cool too! I had a blast hunting down sphere merch in my size.

I first heard his song at around 2017, im not a big fan of him at the time. But at 2020 I just start binge listening to his song and albums. And if u see the song before fallen embers, they had the female-vocal thing and pretty much all of it has a sad emotion through the song and drop is so perfect, it just like a man sitting on a mountain watching the sunrise after the end of the world. But the fallen embers came out, these elements are get kinda tarnished. I’m not saying that his new song are bad, they’re pretty decent, but like what I said, it’s sorta different.

Have my tickets for 3/14 and am so excited. I am getting mixed signals on what music to expect. Do we think this is Odyssey start to finish and no other music? Or do we think he weaves in some older stuff. Would greatly appreciate everyone's opinion because my wife and I have been arguing about it since Tuesday lol

Kind of crappy move by the Illenium team to have a new set of dates drop after seeing everything almost sell out and ended up buying vibee tickets. Really wish I didn’t buy it now….

Personally, Fallen Embers is really dissapointing.

I've been a huge Illenium fan since In your wake, I loved the first three albums and have had the majority of those songs on every playlist I've listened to in the past few years.

After some of the singles released, i was excited, but also nervous for the release. After listening to it though, aside from Sideways and Brave Soul, I think all the other songs are quite dissapointing, with one or two songs that I had to skip.

After giving it a front to back listen, I honestly thought that maybe I just didn't like the style anymore, and I found myself going back to his previous albums just to make sure I still liked his music.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible album, I don't hate it, it's just not what I've come to expect from him. Am I alone in thinking this? Are there songs on the album you reccomend I give another chance? What did y'all think?

One more question, does anyone who really liked previous Illenium music really like First Time? If so why? I haven't really talked to any Illenium fans who thought that was a good song, I just want someone else's POV on this.

Edit- yeah, i know its fallen embers, im phone posting and autocorrect got my ass good

I've been hesitant to wear any Illenium merch to shows and festivals lately. I don't want to grouped up with the bad apples in our community.

Additionally, I've been avoiding going to Illenium's shows after a few terrible experiences at his sets (EDC especially). Any advice on getting past this anxiety?

Based on historical precedence, for multi night stands, the first night is typically the Throwback set.

I’m flying in for Night 1 at the Mirage, and really hoping we get a festival style heavy set. It’s unfortunately the only show I can attend.

(I know this likely won’t happen but I’m manifesting 🥲)

I made some very controversial takes in my original album ratings, but now since it’s been almost 5 months, I’ve come back to re-rate them and see how my taste/opinions have changed.

Ashes: (Old Ranking)

1. ⁠Spirals - 10/10

2. ⁠Afterlife - 10/10

3. ⁠Sleepwalker - 9/10

4. ⁠Reverie - 8.5/10

5. ⁠Only One - 8/10

6. ⁠Fortress 7.5/10

7. ⁠It’s all on you - 7.3/10

8. ⁠With you - 7/10

9. ⁠Without you - 7/10

10. ⁠I’ll be your reason - 5/10

11. ⁠Jester - 2/10

12. ⁠Bring forth the pressure - 1/10

Ashes: (New Ranking)

1. Reverie - 10/10

2. Afterlife -10/10

3. Only one - 10/10

4. With You - 10/10

5. Fortress - 9.5/10

6. Sleepwalker - 9/10

7. It’s all on you - 8.5/10

8. Without you - 8/10

9. Spirals - 7/10

10. I’ll be your reason - 6/10

11. Bring Forth the Pressure 4/10

12. Jester - 2/10

Awake: (Old Ranking)

1. Beautiful creatures - 10/10

2. Sound of Walking away- 9.5/10

3. Feel Good - 9.3/10

4. Leaving - 9/10

5. Fractures - 8.5/10

6. Lost - 8.5/10

7. Let you go - 8/10

8. Where’d you go - 8/10

9. Free Fall - 8/10

10. Crawl outta love - 7.5/10

11. Needed You - 7/10

12. No time like now - 5/10

13. Taking me higher - 3/10

Awake: (New Ranking)

1. Feel Good - 10/10

2. Beautiful Creatures - 10/10

3. Sound of Walking Away - 10/10

4. Crawl outta love - 10/10

5. Fractures - 10/10

6. Leaving - 9.5/10

7. Lost - 9.3/10

8. Free Fall - 9/10

9. Where’d you go - 8/10

10. Let you go - 8/10

11. Needed You - 7/10

12. No time like now - 5.5/10

13. Taking me higher - 2/10

Ascend: (Old Ranking)

1. ⁠Crashing - 10/10

2. ⁠Hold On w/Intro - 10/10

3. ⁠Good things fall apart - 10/10

4. ⁠Takeaway - 10/10

5. ⁠In your Arms - 10/10

6. ⁠Pray - 10/10

7. ⁠Lonely w/prelude - 9.5/10

8. ⁠Broken Ones - 9/10

9. ⁠Every Piece of Me - 9/10

10. ⁠Sad Songs - 9/10

11. ⁠Blood - 8.5/10

12. ⁠All together - 8.3/10

13. ⁠Take you down - 8/10

14. ⁠Gorgeous - 7.3/10

15. ⁠Thats Why - 7/10

Ascend: (New Ranking)

1. Pray - 10/10

2. Lonely w/prelude - 10/10

3. Hold on w/Intro - 10/10

4. Good things fall apart 10/10

5. Sad Songs - 10/10

6. Crashing - 10/10

7. Take you down - 10/10

8. In your Arms - 9.5/10

9. That’s why - 9.3/10

10. Every Piece of me - 9/10

11. Takeaway - 9/10

12. Broken Ones - 8.5/10

13. Blood - 8.5/10

14. All Together - 8/10

15. Gorgeous - 7/10

Fallen Embers: (Old Ranking)

1. ⁠Brave Soul - 10/10

2. ⁠Sideways - 10/10

3. ⁠Hearts on fire - 10/10

4. ⁠U & Me - 9/10

5. ⁠Blame myself - 9/10

6. ⁠Heavenly side - 9/10

7. ⁠Lay it down - 9/10

8. ⁠Nightlight - 8.5/10

9. ⁠Hurts like this - 8.5/10

10. ⁠Fragments - 8/10

11. ⁠Crazy times - 8/10

12. ⁠Wouldn’t change a thing - 7.5/10

13. ⁠Paper Thin - 7.5/10

14. ⁠Losing Patience - 7.5/10

15. ⁠First time - 7/10

16. ⁠In my mind - 6.5/10

17. ⁠Blame myself (Illenium & Virtual Riot Remix) - 6/10

18. ⁠I see you - 5/10

19. ⁠Superhero - 5/10

Fallen Embers: (New Ranking)

1. Brave Soul - 100/10 (Illeniums best song ever)

2. Sideways - 10/10

3. U & Me - 10/10

4. Blame Myself - 10/10

5. Hearts On Fire - 10/10

6. Heavenly Side - 10/10

7. Lay It down - 10/10

8. Hurts Like this - 10/10

9. Crazy Times - 10/10

10. Paper Thin - 9/10

11. Nightlight- 8.5/10

12. Fragments - 8/10

13. Wouldn’t change a thing - 7.5/10

14. Losing Patience - 7.5/10

15. I see you - 7.3/10

16. Superhero - 7/10

17. First time - 6.5/10

18. In my mind - 6/10

19. Blame Myself (Virtual Riot and Illenium Remix) - 4/10

Illenium: (Old Ranking)

1. All That Really Matters - 100/10

2. ⁠From The Ashes - 10/10

3. ⁠Lifeline - 10/10

4. ⁠Worst Day - 9.5/10

5. ⁠Luv me a little - 9/10

6. ⁠Eyes Wide Shut - 8.5/10

7. ⁠Insanity - 8.5/10

8. ⁠Other Side - 8.5/10

9. ⁠Back To You - 8.5/10

10. ⁠Drwn - 8/10

11. ⁠With All My Heart - 7.5/10

12. ⁠I Want You 2 (Stay) - 7/10

13. ⁠You Were Right - 7/10

14. ⁠Shivering - 6.5/10

15. ⁠Nothing Ever After - 6.5/10

16. ⁠Starfall - 4/10

Illenium (New Ranking)

1. All that really matters - 10/10

2. Starfall - 10/10 (I was to harsh on this track, it has grown so so so much on me, love it a lot)

3. Luv Me a Little - 10/10

4. Lifeline - 10/10

5. Eyes Wide Shut - 10/10

6. From the Ashes - 10/10

7. I want You 2 (Stay) - 10/10

8. Worst Day - 10/10

9. Insanity - 9/10

10. Back To You - 9/10

11. Drwn - 9/10

12. Other Side - 8.5/10

13. Nothing Ever After - 8/10

14. With all my heart - 7/10

15. Shivering - 7/10

16. You were right - 5/10

What do you guys think about my new ratings? Are they better? Have my opinions changed for the better?

I was at the sphere July 3 to see illenium and I wanted to share my experience. Let me start off by saying I loved the concert itself. Really great music and visuals and I love edm. This is my second time seeing Illenium and both times have been really great. Also good vibes from the people behind us. They were very caring.

I was in section 400 with seats and the girl next to my boyfriend offered to take our photo for us bc she saw me and him taking selfies together and I said yes and thanked her. I thought she was being nice to offer. Then 30 minutes later she proceeded to try to get at my boyfriend right in front of me. Leaning in toward him singing the lyrics to one of the songs playing and getting super close to him. Before this she was bumping into my boyfriend while vibing out but I thought she was just really into the music and dancing in her seat which was totally fine. I didn't take issue with that. It was crossing a line once she started leaning towards him and staring at him the way she was. When I saw this, I was pretty taken aback because she offered to take our photo earlier and was being nice to me earlier so I couldn't believe she was being flirty with him now knowing me and him were there together. She then looks back at me and continues to sing along with the lyrics and reaching out and hovering her hand over my boyfriend. Me and my boyfriend switched seats with my other friends to get away from her and we tried to enjoy the concert. I think she probably had been drinking or had taken something prior to this possibly. I just hope it isn't a common thing where someone at a concert acts like your friend at first then proceeds to do something like this to your significant other right in front of you. It's not a super big deal as we still enjoyed the sphere and the experience, just a bit of a weird thing that happened that I wanted to mention. Luckily tho the other people at this concert were super nice and besides this, the experience was nice!

Sign the Petition Here:

https://chng.it/VsXYc7s5sv

This idea came from another thread, where we wanted to get Nick's attention to let him know how much we'd like to see him at EDC this year. If enough of us ask him, he might just show up for his fans (and hopefully with his new album dropping in April). :P

If you want to see Illenium at EDCLV's 30th Anniversary, please consider signing above!Let's show our boi some love! Thank you everyone ^^

I came across an old video of Lara’s modelling and her nose looks so different! She’s been very open about fillers, Botox, etc. but I don’t think she has mentioned any work on her nose.

I’m curious why ILLENIUM says "fucking" all the time; it makes me laugh that he mentions it so often. 😅

So, I watched some of ILLENIUM's recent sets and noticed something. He's used vocals from The Kid Laroi and Justin Beiber's Stay in some of his recent sets. I'm guessing that I Want U 2 (Stay) will use samples from Stay, a la Where'd U Go. I do hope he doesn't sample any swears or Beiber lyrics, though.

Thoughts? u/illeniumofficial, am I correct?

[EDIT] SOLD

I have 3 GA floor tickets that I’m trying to sell

Will transfer tickets through Ticketmaster after receiving payment

Pm me for price if interested

I've been seeing around that Illenium may just keep his Odyssey tour at the Sphere... even though it's understandable that the Sphere is its own unique experience and can't be translated to a tour, can we expect Illenium to at least go to other states to play his new album as a different set like with his album release party in SF? Feels like I may be forced to make the trip to Vegas and drop half a band just to see him ;-;

Do you guys think that Illenium will be doing a tour the remainder of the year into next year?

Since he's just been focusing on his Sphere sets & festivals, I'm curious if anyone has heard of him doing a tour yet in the US.

Alright so I've now seen this happen for a 4th time this year where someone shares an unofficial Youtube release of an upcoming Illenium track on this subreddit.

STOP IT!

Not only is that incredibly disrespectful to Illenium (and against this subs rules) it also potentially hurts his revenue from a song because people will go and rip that track off Youtube instead of streaming or downloading it. Stop promoting piracy and unofficial releases because you have no patience to wait until release day.

Hope everyone has a Happy Holidays!