REVIEW: The Chainsmokers Brings the Heat to LA With The Party Never Ends
THE CHAINSMOKERS HAVE PLAYED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DOZENS OF TIMES — but their recent performance in Los Angeles holds particular significance. It marks their first appearance in the city since 2019, and serves as the inaugural presentation of their novel live show concept, The Party Never Ends. Hosted in the Los Angeles State Historic Park, the live music event combines exceptional musical talent and immersive stage production to bring The Chainsmokers’ signature sound and style to fans and casual listeners alike.
Funnily enough, all the acts at the event were duos, which definitely seemed to be an homage to the power of collaborative musical artistry.
The night started at 5:35 p.m. with NOTD, a Swedish duo composed of Tobias Danielsson and Samuel Brandt. Bringing a mix of progressive house and future bass to the crowd, they played all their top hits, including “I Wanna Know” and “Keep You Mine.” Throughout their hour-long set, they continued to build anticipation for the night with their well-known remixes of popular songs and crowd control.
Then came out ARMNHMR, a dynamic duo composed of Joseph Chung and Joseph Abella. They charmed the crowd almost immediately, but that’s to be expected from the LA natives, who have rapidly risen through the ranks of the electronic music scene. Previously performing at EDC Las Vegas and Lollapalooza in Chicago, their performance at the LA State Historic Park did not disappoint.
Renowned for their euphoric melodies, enveloping soundscapes, and the incorporation of melodic dubstep drops, ARMNHMR infused the park with their signature energy, all while the sun still graced the horizon. Presenting an amalgamation of their original compositions and reimagined versions of acclaimed tracks such as “Island” by Seven Lions, Trivecta, and Wooli, along with “OMG” by NewJeans, the duo's performance showcased their versatility.
But the pinnacle of their set undeniably emerged during the seamless fusion of their original piece “Save Me” and SLANDER's “Love is Gone.” ARMNHMR's exceptional knack for infusing every song, regardless of its origin, with an unmistakable surge of emotion and astonishment has undoubtedly cultivated a devoted fan base. As the crowd gradually gathered, their infectious energy radiated through the space, setting an electrifying tone for the evening.
The brief interval before ARMNHMR's absence was swiftly filled by the immediate appearance of Two Friends. Known for their vibrant and dynamic contributions to the dance-pop and progressive house genres, Matt Halper and Eli Sones grew in popularity with their “Big Bootie Mix.” The annual high-energy compilation of popular songs from various genres are seamlessly mixed together, highlighting their knack for creative remixing and ability to blend diverse musical elements into a cohesive mix.
The duo definitely brought their signature “big bootie” energy, playing classics such as “Take On Me,” and “Y.M.C.A.,” to newer hits such as Knock2’s “dashstar*” and “UCLA” by RL Grime. They even brought out Bebe Rexha for their new song, “If Only I,” a collaboration with Loud Luxury.
Elevating their expert-level mixing, the duo knew how to control the energy of the crowd. From incorporating a skilled saxophonist to introduce additional layers of melodies, to enthusiastically distributing signed merchandise from the runway and even employing whimsical visuals that prominently showcased their faces, their stage presence was a well-coordinated symphony of engaging elements. The crowd definitely agreed that their set was a euphoric party, and the energy was electric going into the last set of the night.
Closing out the festival, The Chainsmokers treated the audience of 18K attendees to a diverse range of genres. Their performance went beyond the confines of a traditional concert, evolving into a dynamic live experience. Enhancing the musical journey, they incorporated a full LED screen and platform, synchronized fireworks, dynamic laser displays, and billowing smoke canons that artfully complemented the sonic landscape.
Navigating through their set, the singer-producer duo seamlessly alternated between skillfully reimagining other tracks and showcasing their own creations. Particularly noteworthy was the distinct influence of heavy techno and drum and bass elements, which stood in stark contrast to their more typical pop-infused style.
With surprise performances from Maluma, Shenseea, 347aidan, and Carlie Hanson, the duo brought their newest releases to the crowd with “Celular,” “My Bad,” “Up & Down,” and “See You Again.”
The extravagant performance demonstrated The Chainsmokers' versatility as artists and their capacity to continually surprise and captivate their fans. Despite their rigorous schedule of over 200 events annually, The Party Never Ends served as a testament of their commitment to their craft and their unifying power to bring people together.
The event broke records for LA Historic Park attendance and resonated as a vibrant celebration of artistic expression. With a staggering turnout of 18,798 attendees, the event left an indelible mark on the landscape of live music experiences.
The Chainsmokers head to Colorado next, bringing The Party Never Ends to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sept. 2.
