On his tour for the second phase of his album PULSE, EDM artist GRYFFIN took the stage at the Roadrunner with a crowd ready to be swept into a melodic storm. Known for fusing emotional storytelling with festival-sized energy, Gryffin (real name Dan Griffith) brought more than just beats to the stage — he brought a full-bodied performance. Gryffin kicked off his set at Boston’s Roadrunner with a burst of energy that instantly electrified the room. As he stepped behind the decks, a flood of white light bathed the stage, and the screen behind him came to life, casting a warm glow over a sea of raised hands. With arms outstretched, he greeted the crowd and wasted no time diving into the emotional pulse of the night by opening with his hit song All You Need to Know. The familiar melody swept through the venue, prompting a massive singalong that unified the crowd from the first drop. It was a powerful opening — intimate yet grand — and it set the tone for a night that would blend heartfelt anthems with high-octane production.

Adding a personal and musical touch that set him apart from the average DJ set, Gryffin frequently jumped onto the platform with a guitar slung over his shoulder, seamlessly blending live instrumentation into his performance. Whether he was strumming the opening chords of a fan favorite or layering guitar riffs over an electronic build-up, these moments showcased his versatility as both a producer and a performer. One of the most memorable moments of the night came when Gryffin stepped onto his platform with a guitar in hand to perform Just for a Moment. As the opening chords rang out, the crowd erupted — not just because it was a fan-favorite, but because the moment felt raw and personal. Bathed in blue, glowing light, Gryffin strummed the melody live, adding a human touch to the soaring electronic production. It was a perfect blend of emotional vulnerability and sonic power, reminding everyone in the room why his sets resonate so deeply.

Towering LED screens lit up with kaleidoscopic visuals — from shimmering bubbles drifting across the crowd to crystalline diamonds pulsing to the beat. At peak moments, laser lights cut through the smoke in sync with the drops, washing the room in vivid greens and blues. Each visual element was tightly woven into the rhythm of the set, making the experience feel cinematic and euphoric.

Gryffin also treated the crowd to a series of high-energy remixes that paid homage to some of the biggest anthems of the 2010s. His take on David Guetta and Sia’s Titanium turned the already iconic track into a euphoric, bass-driven crescendo that had the entire venue belting the lyrics in unison. Later in the set, his remix of Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye took the haunting breakup ballad and infused it with a driving beat and bright synth layers, transforming it into a dance floor-ready emotional release. These moments were more than just nostalgic throwbacks — they were Gryffin’s way of reimagining beloved songs through his own sonic lens, giving the crowd both familiarity and surprise.

Even for those who didn’t walk into the Roadrunner as die-hard EDM fans, Gryffin’s performance proved to be a revelation. The mix of soaring melodies, emotional builds, and perfectly timed drops pulled in the entire crowd — even the skeptics. The stunning visuals, paired with Gryffin’s genre-blending sound, created a universally magnetic atmosphere. More than a few first-timers were overheard saying they “didn’t know EDM could feel like this.” By the end of the night, it wasn’t just Gryffin fans dancing — it was newly converted ones too, eager to chase this kind of experience again.

In the end, Gryffin’s show at Roadrunner wasn’t just about high production or flawless drops — it was about creating a shared moment that lingered long after the final beat. With a setlist that balanced vulnerability and power, remixes that breathed new life into beloved hits, and visuals that turned sound into spectacle, he delivered an experience that transcended genre. For longtime fans, it was a reaffirmation of everything they love about his music. For newcomers, it was a door flung wide open into the world of EDM. Either way, Gryffin didn’t just play a set — he made believers out of everyone in the room.

// Stephanie Yoshida '25 is a DJ and staff writer for The Darker Side.