LOUIS THE CHILD SELLS OUT BILL GRAHAM AUDITORIUM, WRAP ‘DEAR SENSE’ TOUR

Few artists have seen their star rise quite as quickly as Louis The Child.

The duo, consisting of Chicago natives Robby Hauldren and Freddy Kennett, jumped into the electronic music mainstream with their 2015 breakout It’s Strange. Their upward momentum has only continued to grow.

Celebrating the release of their 2018 EP, Kids At Play, the two spent the fall traversing North America for their headlining Dear Sense Tour.

Thursday night saw Louis The Child return to the Bay Area for a sellout performance at San Francisco’s legendary Bill Graham Auditorium, as they opened the conclusive weekend of the tour.

The night was notable for the young DJ/producers, with Hauldren noting the significance of their first time playing at the venue.

Bill Graham is a venue every artist dreams of playing, noting, “I never thought my first time coming here would be for my own show.”

In the direct-support slot was the multi-talented DJ and producer Jackson Stell, better known as Big Wild.

His incredible performance included guest appearances from a small choir and featured vocal artists, Stell’s own vocals, which he says will be used exclusively for his upcoming debut album Superdream, due February 1, 2019, according to his website, as well as a hand-drum segment.

Big Wild will take off on his own headlining tour in 2019 to support the album. This is sure to be a can’t-miss stretch of shows.

With singles Joypunks, Maker, and Heaven, already available, fans won’t have to wait until next year for a glimpse at what to expect from the project.

Opening performances came from R.LUM.R. and Wafia, the latter of whom returned to the stage in the closing moments of Louis The Child’s set for her fan-favorite feature Better Not.

I have seen Louis the Child at all four of their Bay Area shows since their first appearance at Outside Lands Music Festival in August 2017. Yet, I am continually blown away by the strides these two make with each new iteration of their live performances.

From equally stunning and dizzying visuals to a complete setlist of groovy big-bass tracks, more and more of which consist of original work, there is no ceiling for these young superstars. I fully expect them to continue on their path of going bigger and better in 2019.

The duo concluded their North American Dear Sense tour at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall Saturday night.

They will appear at X Games Aspen in January before heading off for an international circuit of shows to kick off the year.