Best Sets Series: Porter Robinson

In any artists’ dedicated fan group, you’ll come across a discussion about their best performances. We decided we would do the same thing here at EDMTunes and give you the Best Sets for a range of DJs and producers. This series will highlight each artists’ best and most memorable live performances. The artists that really make it big within their career, and the artists any fan should know about. In this edition we examine the best of Porter Robinson.

Porter Robinson Live From Beatport – Denver, CO

Around 2011, Porter Robinson’s career is just starting to take off. Early on, Porter Robinson garners the attention of Skrillex who signs him to his new label OWSLA. In 2010, he drops ‘Say My Name‘ which reaches #1 on Beatport. Subsequently, he releases ‘Language‘ which hits #1 on Beatport as well. This all leads to his mainstream breakthrough and infamous Language Tour. As a result, Beatport invites him to their offices to stream a live set. This mix includes both of those tracks plus ‘Unison,’ a cut off his Spitfire EP from the record deal with OWSLA. Therefore, it definitely deserves inclusion in any discussion of the best of Porter Robinson.

Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland 2013

At this point in his career, Porter Robinson’s headliner status is fully certifiable. Following the success of The Language Tour he’s getting constant production requests from the likes of Avicii and Lady Gaga. Besides stops at EDC and Coachella, 2013 brings him to Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland. He delivers monster sets at both events, shown above in their entirety. Easily, they’re some of the best of Porter Robinson.

Monstercat Label Showcase: Tattoo – Toronto, ON

In 2014, Porter releases his debut album, Worlds. Then, he proceeds to change the game as he embarks on the Worlds Live Tour where he incorporates live instruments, DJ’s, and even sings during his sets. Indeed, some of those performances deserve honorable mention in this ‘best of’ list. However, in 2015, before dropping Worlds Remixed, he returns to his roots and performs a string of DJ sets. This killer set from Tattoo in Toronto is a dynamite example. Some die hard Porter fans might not even know about this little gem of a set.

Shelter Live Set: The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

Following a nearly 2-year hiatus from releasing new material, Porter announces his return to the scene. In an infamous Twitter post he reveals he was stuck but is now ready to undertake the next leg of his musical journey. From this, comes the release of ‘Shelter,‘ a collaboration with fellow talented prodigy Madeon. Furthermore, the duo blesses fans with an epic, live b2b tour dubbed the Shelter Tour. This tour basically picks up where the Worlds Tour left off but with the added synth expertise of Madeon. Take your pick of any of the dates on that tour and it’s probably one of the best of Porter Robinson. To illustrate though, we chose the set preceding the tour’s launch in October 2016.

Virtual Self Live: Avant Gardner – Brooklyn, NY

2017 is one of the more intriguing years in Porter Robinson’s career. As fans await new material from the EDM mega-star, ominous tracks and visuals begin popping up on his social sites. As the year rolls on, it becomes clear that Porter is reinventing himself as Virtual Self. This all builds to a fever pitch starting with his release of the track, ‘Eon Break.’ Just before the year’s end, he hits fans with a debut Virtual Self performance in Brooklyn. As this is a defining moment in the man’s career, it goes without saying that it belongs among the best of Porter Robinson.

Worlds 2019 Set: Second Sky Festival – Oakland, CA

Certainly, his career is full of iconic performances. However, when you talk about the best of Porter Robinson, it’s all about the career defining moments. Thus it’s no surprise his Second Sky Festival set makes our list. Besides the fact he throws his own festival which quickly sells out both dates, he even drops the opening set! Additionally, to the delight of true Porter fans, he delivers a brilliant, revamped version of his Worlds Live set. Although the Second Sky Festival has its hiccups, it goes off without any major hitches. During Second Sky Festival, Porter Robinson started his own new trend where he opened the festival and closed it; so fans would have the opportunity to see all the other supporting acts that also take place on the stacked line up. Robinson’s opening Virtual Self set and his closing World’s set are both true testaments to how Porter Robinson continues to evolve as one of EDM’s brightest stars.