X Games • deadmau5 • June 27, 2025 • Utah State Fairpark
Reviewed and Photographed by Max Taylor
The X Games made its Salt Lake City 2025 debut on June 27, and if there was any question about whether Utah was ready to party, deadmau5 answered it loud and clear.
After a long, hot day filled with some of the best action sports on the planet—Moto X backflips, BMX tricks that defied gravity, and skateboarders flying off vert ramps—the energy at the Utah State Fairpark somehow didn’t die down. Instead, it hit a whole new level once the sun set and the stage lights came on.
The fairgrounds had already been buzzing from events like the BMX Dirt Final and the always-insane Moto X Best Trick. Once the sports wrapped, the crowd shifted toward the massive stage at the heart of the Fairpark, and that’s when things got even crazier.
Two DJs opened up the night, warming up the already-hyped crowd. The vibes were high—think neon lights, people dancing on black and white checkered floor of the event center, filling in space until the venue was packed. The stage production was wild: LED panels everywhere and a giant glowing “X” hanging above the stage like a symbol of everything the X Games are about—bold, loud, and unforgettable.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.
deadmau5
deadmau5 took the stage in true deadmau5 fashion. He walked out quietly at first, back turned to the crowd, and then dramatically slipped on his signature helmet. You could hear the crowd lose it. It was like flipping a switch.
He opened with “Some Chords,” and that was it—the whole place exploded. After a long day in the sun, it would’ve been easy for people to start slowing down, but nope. That track hit, and the crowd was right back at 100 percent. It felt like a second wind had kicked in for everyone.
The set was stacked with classics and new material alike, and deadmau5 kept the momentum going all night. Epic, cinematic, emotional, it is difficult to capture the energy of his set in words. This show wasn’t just a concert tacked onto a sports event. It felt like the grand finale to a day of non-stop adrenaline. The visuals were insane. The lights synced perfectly with the beat, and there were times where the whole crowd looked like it was dancing under some alien mothership. The giant “X” above the stage glowed like a beacon. With the strobes, the graphics, and deadmau5’s presence, it was completely immersive.
deadmau5 didn’t say much during the show—and he didn’t need to. His performance spoke for itself. Every track flowed into the next with precision, and you could tell this was a guy who’s been doing this at a high level for a long time. He’s got seven Grammy nominations and a pile of JUNO Awards for a reason. His live shows are tight, technical, and still leave room for spontaneity.
The crowd was locked in the entire time. People were shoulder-to-shoulder, dancing, shouting, and just losing themselves in the music. Even after hours of standing around watching BMX and skate events in the heat, no one looked tired. It felt like Salt Lake City showed up and stayed up.
By the time he closed the set, it felt like the entire fairpark was floating. It was one of those rare moments where people are totally synced up with the music and each other.
When the lights finally went down and the music stopped, people didn’t rush for the exits. They stood there, soaking it all in. Maybe it was the warm summer night air, maybe it was the lingering hum of bass still in everyone’s chests, or maybe it was just the feeling of being part of something special.
X Games Salt Lake City had already had an epic first day with its stacked competition schedule—skateboarders and BMX riders throwing down all day—but deadmau5’s set brought it all together. It reminded us that the X Games isn’t just about sport. It’s about culture. About sound and movement and pushing limits in every possible way. And deadmau5? He didn’t just close out the night—he owned it.
