Ant Smith A warm and emotional synth progressive house artist bringing tranquil goosebumps to your ears. Ambience. Warmth. Gentle. A droning welcoming tone waving the audience in. Subtle shades of blue and green mist filling the room. Ben Böhmer greets Denver at the Mission Ballroom on April 8, 2025, for his Bloom Live tour, performing his most recent album, Bloom.
CRi
The evening kicked off with none other than the talented and renowned CRi (Cree), setting the tone for a night full of warmth and rhythm. He ran onto the stage with boundless energy, a grin stretched across his face brighter and bigger than the ballroom itself. The pulse of the crowd shifted instantly, a wave of excitement rippling through the space as the first notes dropped.
CRi elevated the vibe effortlessly, spinning up a set that had people moving without hesitation—feet tapping, hands swaying, eyes closed, and smiles wide open. His set offered a true taste of the cozy, emotive tracks still to come, each one layered with thoughtful monologue snippets that washed over the room like a soft filter, adding both color and character to the atmosphere.
Then, as CRi steps off stage, the lights dim slightly, giving the room a warm orange glow, mimicking 6pm on a summer afternoon. An ambient tone calms the crowd, preparing them for the soft synths and wholesome kicks to take over their brains.
Photos by Ant Smith. All images © 2025 Copyright Ant Smith. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Ben Böhmer
After the crowd had forcefully relaxed, Ben Böhmer himself took the stage, opening with the beautiful piano intro of his first song (Martin) on the album. A beam of light casts down onto his head, silhouetting Böhmer with the piano. The gorgeous chords with the soft synth pads, building the tension in the room before it finally releases with the gentleness of the 4 on the floor kick drum. All the sounds complimenting and truly obliging the patrons to smile. Every person in that room had goosebumps; how couldn’t you when the music sounds like sun on your skin.
The lights were minimal, but intentional; in a truly Anjuna Deep fashion, letting the music set the tone and having the lights compliment it rather than be the main attraction. The LED wall behind Böhmer pouring his talent for the audience to see, not DJing, but playing instruments with various synthesizers and sequencers.
Ben Böhmer was a wholesome experience, gentle music, kind tunes. A feel good place to dance your worries away. Next time he comes to town, come enjoy the synthy soft blanket.
Photos by Ant Smith. All images © 2025 Copyright Ant Smith. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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