08/16/2026
ILLENIUM Red Rocks 2026 / Odyssey stained glass suncatcher • shop.mariahleah.com
If you asked me why I love ILLENIUM, I'd start my spiel with, "He is so talented, he's such a hard worker, and he's such. a good. person."
If I dug a little deeper, I'd admit that yes, all of the heartbreak I've experienced over the years have absolutely grown my appreciation for him. I couldn't begin to explain how much healing I've had through dancing and belting to his lyrics, melodies and drops.
If I was fully open and honest, I'd confess that I'd spent the bigger majority of my life — childhood through earlier adulthood — in a very dark place.
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If you don't know ILLENIUM's story, please take a minute to hear it:
Nick had been in darkness, battling opioid addiction for several years. In 2012, his mom found him soon after he had overdosed. From there, he moved to Denver, became completely clean, immersed himself in the local electronic music scene, and began his healing journey through self-teachings of music theory and producing his own tracks. 'Take You Down' shares the story of his rock bottom.
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In winter of 2013, after just having turned 18, I landed myself in the ICU and adult psych ward after attempted su***de.
Fast forward to winter of 2021-2022... While on the hunt to experience new cities and landscapes, and to find my true "home", I discovered Denver — my dream that I hadn't even known to exist — and moved as soon as I could after. My biggest pull, of the many, was the incredible inspiration that the music and art scene provided me, as well as the beauty and (literal and figurative) light of the perpetually sunny landscape.
The rest is history ✨
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So when you ask me who my favorite music artist is — whose live sets are my favorite to dance to, to belt to, to celebrate life and the growth and hardships I've endured and continue to heal to, to experience with old and new friends who've ridden a similar ride, who feel and understand it — it's ILLENIUM 🐦🔥
Happy ILLENIAL week, Denver ❤️🔥 Let's get it!!!!
