WORDS BY JORDAN BILLS. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN BROWNLEE.

Explosions in the Sky, a post-rock band formed in Texas in 1999, took center stage for their second night at The Wiltern on Jan. 25.

The band, composed of Munaf Rayani, Mark Smith, Michael James, Chris Hrasky, and their most recent member Jay Demko, worked with one mind to build narratives and soundscapes through only the blending of their instruments. Their unique approach to music without a lead singer sets them apart and lets their talent as instrumentalists shine. Even if you have yet to become familiar with their various albums of solo work, you may know them from the scores of movies such as Lone Survivor or television shows such as Friday Night Lights and One Tree Hill.

When asked if I was a fan, I wrongly thought I had never heard of their work. However, their music had unknowingly been quintessential in creating the magic of some of my favorite art and they have been the soundtrack to my life long before I could even properly give them credit.

When I arrived at The Wiltern, a historic venue in Koreatown, I was blown away by the beautiful Art-Deco design and cozy old theater ambiance. As a fan of Explosions in the Sky's score work, it felt like the suitable venue for this show, feeling much like a trip to the movies from my childhood when movie theaters still felt cozy and inviting.

The fellow concert-goers slowly trickled in, and the energy all around was immaculate. Compared to most live shows these days, the audience felt more mature and respectful, far from the wildness of concerts I have grown accustomed to. It felt like I was in the presence of fellow music lovers here to partake in the sacred form of music worship. Their music has found such an incredibly wonderful niche over the years that they have curated a fanbase many artists can only dream of, full of people who share a love of music and want to see their artistry firsthand.

The venue has the general admission on the floor and the balcony up the stairs. As someone who is not usually a big fan of GA, I found myself loving it at The Wiltern. The floor is terraced so you can see more conveniently over the group in front of you, and there are half walls that you can lean on to avoid the dreaded locked knees that can ruin a concert. I found a position near the back, and as the opener finished their set, you could feel the excitement radiating off of the crowd.

The fog filled the room, and the mesmerizing lights shone through the haze, only adding to the anticipation. As they took the stage promptly at 9 p.m., the crowd erupted into cheers and screams. They quickly took time to give a genuine thank you to everyone for coming and then dove directly into their first song. As it began, I watched the audience fall entirely under their trance.

They played around with lighting as the slower moments held soft and the more fast-paced ones synced flashing lights. The stage was simple in setup, with the drums and keys in the back and the guitarists taking the front, but through the lights and the beautiful theater, the show felt cinematic. In the flashing moments, we could even see the shadows of the guitarists, deep into their instruments, dancing on the walls. The audience desperately held onto every note as they effortlessly moved from one song to the next, mostly not pausing for speeches or talking. The audience fell into sync from one song to the next as everyone knew the exact moment to bop their head along and sway to the music.

The band, especially the three guitarists, would also often find themselves swaying in sync. Like a perfectly curated form of rock and roll ballet, the band and audience moved with seemingly one mind. There was only the occasional cheer and yell, but for the most part, the audience was entirely captivated by the music. I have never seen or felt such an incredible and palpable connection between a band and their audience. While they are not big fans of crowd work, often diving directly into the next song without any talking segment, they did not need it. Their incredible storytelling and artistry took us on a collective journey, and by the time they finished playing the last song, I felt like I had just woken up from a lovely dream. I have been lucky enough to see many concerts in my life, but this one stands alone as one of the most unique and inspiring concert experiences I have ever had.f

As a fellow musician, I could see the love each of them feels for their instruments. I am blown away at the skill and dedication I am certain each member has put in over the last 25 years to reach this point of mastership. Each member delivers standout performances that blend seamlessly together; not one person is more important than the other. However, the drummer, Chris Hrasky, kept drawing my eye. He is the rhythmic backbone with the most impressive drumming I have ever seen that ties the performance together. He provides a steady foundation for the guitarists, building when they build and softening when they soften. The audience could see each band member's respect for one another, as it never felt like one was fighting for the song's attention. It was a beautifully synced symphony of guitar, bass, keys, and drums, all working harmoniously to take their audience on an incomparable journey.

Seeing Explosions in the Sky was unlike any concert I have ever experienced and will forever reign as one of the most impressive shows I have ever seen. When the concert began, I enjoyed their work and brilliant songwriting. However, as I watched them perform, I grew to admire and respect them as individual artists. Explosions in the Sky is sophisticated, brilliant, unparalleled in their talent, absolutely metal, and completely badass. If you ever have the opportunity to see them in concert, do not hesitate!

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY