Zedd Kicks Off Telos Tour in NYC with Two Unforgettable Nights

Following an epic weekend at Los Angeles State Historic Park for Zedd in the Park, Grammy-winning DJ and producer Zedd officially launched his Telos tour in New York City this past Thursday and Friday, performing at Brooklyn Storehouse under Teksupport’s T/LT Presents. Fans had been eagerly anticipating these sold-out shows, and Zedd delivered in a way that only he can — turning the night into a masterclass in live electronic music.

In 2018, Zedd played his Orbit set at Brooklyn Navy Yard for the first time, remarking, “I’ve never played here, but I love this. I love the vibe.” It was no surprise to fans that his new Telos setup would debut at one of NYC’s hottest venues.

The two sold-out shows were packed from front to back with fans dancing non-stop. As doors opened, the crowd eagerly made their way inside, where British producer Ellis kicked off the night with an electrifying set. His performance featured tracks from his latest EP signals and his collaboration on Telos “Tangerine“. Dutch DJ and producer Mesto followed, keeping the energy high with hits like his Martin Garrix collaboration “Breakaway” and his own Telos track, “Descensus.” Both Ellis and Mesto were the perfect openers, setting the stage for an unforgettable night.

By the time Zedd’s team began prepping the stage, the energy inside the venue had reached a fever pitch. The Telos cover art was 3D-printed onto the stage, a stunning piece that looked more like an installation at The MET than a concert prop. The crowd cheered as the lights dimmed at 1:20 a.m., and Zedd’s remix of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” started to build. Blue beams shot into the audience, fog rolled across the stage, and just as the tension hit its peak, Zedd stepped into view. The room erupted. From that point on, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.

Although the focus was on his Telos album, Zedd treated fans to a mix of his classic hits like “Starving,” “I Want You to Know,” and his MAGIC! remix of “Rude.” A standout moment was when Zedd played Skrillex’s “Ruffneck” and transitioned into his track “Lost at Sea.” The crowd sang along passionately as Zedd invited them to join in for the chorus. This tour wasn’t just about Telos; it was a celebration of over a decade of Zedd’s music.

From a mix of progressive house, he transitioned to the drum and bass portion of the set with an ID track that I sure hope he releases sooner rather than later. This was followed by one of his most popular tracks, “Stay the Night,” and then the Squid Game anthem. When he played his version of John Summit’s “Where You Are,” the Telos album swiftly followed. He began with “Gravity,” getting the audience to wave their hands back and forth in the air, all while his drums were being set up in the background. Let me repeat that: his drums were being set up! Yes, Zedd plays almost every instrument, and while drums are a big part of all his songs, we had never seen him play a live DJ set… until this past weekend. This was the icing on the cake (and for all the videos out there, the moment people became convinced to go see THIS show).

From his new album, he played “Sona” live, directly transitioning to “Lucky,” followed by “Out of Time,” and ended with a true classic, “Stay.” Returning to his Pioneer board, he continued to deliver a signature Zedd set: remixing pop and R&B songs, shouting into the mic, “1, 2… 1, 2, 3, 4!” — and right on cue, lasers beamed straight at us, shifting from red to blue to green, while the floor vibrated in every corner.

The third act of his set was when he made a complete change-up — the moment I thought to myself, “This show is quite different from any other Zedd show I’ve been to.” He played a drum and bass version of “Happy Now,” overlapping with the track “Ascend” by Vluarr & Arcando. As the music began to fade and the white lights started flashing brightly, he transitioned into his and Ariana Grande’s pop-dance hit “Break Free,” followed by “Spectrum” and the hard-hitting rock opera “Dream Brother” with rock legend Jeff Buckley. Just when you thought his set was winding down and the venue went dark, he cued the next song: Fred Again and Swedish House Mafia feat. Future’s “Turn on the Lights,” mixed with Zedd’s track “Addicted to Your Memory” from True Colors. Fireworks, lasers, and CO2 shot off into the audience, and the crowd was jumping in unison — it was a moment to live in the present.

Now, a Zedd show isn’t a Zedd show without the essentials. His finale came in with a bang! He played “Beautiful Now,” his number one single “The Middle,” and, of course, “Alive.” He ended his set with “Shanti,” which was the perfect conclusion for his new production. The blend of bass, tribal house, and Hindu cultural elements was enhanced by an outstanding mix of orchestral components and vocals, ending in a blaze of glory. Just when you think the song (and set) is over, he builds the track back up with a louder and faster BPM to get the blood pumping.

As the lights dimmed and he left the stage, he naturally returned for an encore, finishing the night strong with “Clarity.” Looking around the room, it was a true PLUR moment — people who didn’t know each other, or had just met, were wrapping their arms around one another, singing loud and proud. Zedd fired off confetti and fireworks, and as the song came to a close, he launched one final firework. The lights dimmed, and the crowd applauded Zedd for a full 90 seconds. He thanked everyone for coming and expressed how happy he was to not only be back at Navy Yard but to have kicked off his tour there — a true full-circle moment. After a two-hour set, Zedd made his grand exit, the lights turned off, and his NYC Telos stop came to a close.

Overall, this show was something else. It’s been almost a week since I saw it, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. His new stage design was breathtaking. The Telos window had a screen engraved to display all the visuals, the graphics were stunning, and the lasers, fireworks, and CO2 machines went off flawlessly, perfectly in sync with every song he played. While Zedd always puts on a great show, the way he danced, sang, and performed live — interacting with the audience on such a high level — truly showcased his talents not only as a DJ and producer but also as a musician, composer, and artist. We always enjoy seeing a Zedd show, and we truly can’t wait for the next one!

Zedd’s Telos tour is just getting started, with upcoming stops in Boston, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and more. Don’t miss the chance to see him live — check out the dates below, and stream Telos on all major streaming platforms.

• Sept. 19, 2024 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston
• Sept. 20, 2024 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston – SOLD OUT
• Sept. 21, 2024 – The Anthem, Washington, D.C. – SOLD OUT
• Sept. 25, 2024 – The Factory in Deep Ellum, Dallas
• Sept. 26, 2024 – The Factory in Deep Ellum, Dallas – SOLD OUT
• Sept. 27, 2024 – ACL Live at Moody Theater, Austin
• Sept. 28, 2024 – 713 Music Hall, Houston – SOLD OUT
• Oct. 4, 2024 – WAMU Theater, Seattle
• Oct. 5, 2024 – WAMU Theater, Seattle – SOLD OUT
• Oct. 10, 2024 – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
• Oct. 11, 2024 – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – SOLD OUT
• Oct. 12, 2024 – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – SOLD OUT
• Oct. 15, 2024 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colo.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ivan Meneses @ai.visuals