Ogden Twilight: Diplo

Diplo • Giolí & Assia • Sootah • July 6, 2024 • Ogden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Morgan Newbold

Earlier this month, Ogden Twilight welcomed world-famous DJ Diplo to a nearly sold-out Ogden Amphitheater! This was a highly anticipated show for ravers and dance music lovers. The EDM scene in Utah has always been very prominent, and what better way to enjoy the summer packed full of electronic music, than a night with one biggest DJs in the world! On a hot July day, the amphitheater filled up with fans ready to beat the heat, all while dressed in their best rave attire!

Diplo is an American DJ, born in Mississippi in 1978, but grew up in Miami, where he developed an early interest in music. He was particularly influenced by the local Miami bass sound. During his college days in both Miama and Philidelphia, Diplo began to immerse himself in the local music scene, DJing at clubs and parties. Diplo’s career took off in the early 2000s when he partnered with DJ Low Budget to form the duo ‘Hollertronix’ Their mixtapes gained underground popularity and showcased Diplo’s eclectic taste and ability to blend various music genres.

However, his big break came with his production work on M.I.A.’s 2005 album “Arular,” particularly the hit single “Paper Planes,” which received a lot of commercial success! This brought him into the mainstream spotlight and opened doors for him to work with higher-profile artists. In 2009, Diplo founded the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer with British DJ and producer Switch. Major Lazer became known for hits like “Lean On,” and “Cold Water,” collaborating with artists such as DJ Snake, MØ, and Justin Bieber!

He also formed the duo Jack Ü with fellow DJ and producer Skrillex in 2013! Jack Ü’s debut album, released in 2015, featured the Grammy Award-winning song “Where Are Ü Now” with Justin Bieber, further cementing Diplo’s status as a leading figure in the music industry! In over a decade of producing music, Diplo has collabed with several famous artists like Sia, Beyonce, Madonna, Ellie Goulding, Usher, Snoop Dogg, and many more. 

Sootah

I arrived just before the first opener, Sootah. I made my way over to the stage and started chatting with some of the VIPS on the barricade. The sun was high and there was a golden haze falling over the amphitheater as people were starting to fill in. Sootah is a local DJ duo, Cody and Brandon, who are mainly focused in the house and techno genres. Their set was very chill and melodic. It was a great taster into what the vibes of the night were going to be! 

Giolí & Assia

Up next was Giolí & Assia, a powerful Italian duo that have been together for about a decade. They bring a lot of talent to the table, they started their own record label, and both are songwriters and play a plethora of instruments and also sing. Giolí & Assia started producing together in 2016, and focus on a lot of techno, pop, and indie genres. They love to go big or go home artistically, and always outdo themselves. In 2019, they sold out their US tour, and have released 3 albums since 2018! Their energy is palpable on stage. They mix well together and clearly have a distinct aesthetic that matches their music. I really enjoyed their set. 

Diplo

Finally Diplo arrived! By this point, the lawn and bleachers were packed to capacity. Everyone was ready to dance! I saw so many cool outfits and a diverse crowd who came to see Diplo. He seems to bring together a large assortment of music lovers. Some who are super into EDM, and some who simply enjoy good pop music, as we all do!

The lighting and the haze that surrounded him really looked magical. There was a great assortment of visuals for each song plus the large LED ights in the back that perfectly enhanced the show. There’s not a lot of stuff going on onstage to capture with DJ’s, so I was grateful that there were plenty of visual elements.

My favorite part of capturing a show at an amphitheater is when the white strobes and house lights flash and illuminate the entire crowd. Everyone with their hands up makes for a sick shot. I spent most of the show shooting from the top of the crowd and the energy was 100%! He played several pop remixes as well as a lot of house and dance music! Diplo is currently touring the US, and frequently tours the UK/Europe, as well as some festivals and nightclubs around the world! It was a treat to be able to capture such a culturally impactful artist!