It’s been a long time coming, but we are finally moments away from one of Red Rocks’ most anticipated performers of the year. Illenium will be playing at the legendary Colorado venue for three nights this week, and I was lucky enough to snag a ticket for the upcoming Saturday throwback set.
When it was announced that Dabin would be opening that night, I was ecstatic. I have been trying to catch a Dabin show, but it had eluded me for so long. He played a VIP-only set at BUKU this year, and his Frequency Burst B2B with Said The Sky had been cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian. Despite all this, I never gave up hope that I’d someday hear “Embers” live – the invigorating track, perfectly paired with the floaty vocals of Jill Harris, is what made me fall in love with him.
Affectionately dubbed “Korean Jesus” by his loyal fans, the Canadian-Korean artist has had a major year. The release of his latest album, Wild Youth, was followed by his first headline tour this past spring.
Wild Youth is a genre-bending masterpiece that gave us a just small peek into his creative potential. His talent is undeniable, and this is reflected in all 10 tracks. “Alive” is a beautifully tender song and undoubtedly my favorite from the album. “Bloom” is the musical equivalent of stepping into a hot bath, fragrant with lavender salts, after a long day – the downtempo releases tension and soothes the soul. He then brings a new richness and rawness to “Rings & Roses” that tugs at my heartstrings every time.
As a member of the Sadboi crew alongside Illenium and Said The Sky, his style effortlessly blends with their vision while maintaining his distinctive sound. Dabin’s genuine passion shines through in all he does, especially during his live shows. His electronic guitar, synthesizers, and drum pads are just a few of the instruments he skillfully plays for his enthusiastic audiences.
Dabin is constantly seeking to create music that accurately reflects his unique taste and pushes himself as an artist. He just announced “Hero”, a new song with Said The Sky and Olivver the Kid that’ll be released October 16, and has a collab with William Black and Kai Wachi in the works. He also teased that he’ll be playing two unreleased songs at Red Rocks.
Dabin has pushed far beyond being an “emerging artist” and is well on his way to becoming a household name. His Red Rocks sets are sure to enrapture new fans and demonstrate why he is the Korean Jesus. There is no doubt he will have some new surprises for us in the new year with more entrancing music and electrifying performances.
Stay updated with him here, and listen along with me in anticipation for this weekend:
