Simon Shackleton unveils new multimedia live show ‘The Shadowmaker’

Simon Shackleton pushes the boundaries with his new multimedia live show, ‘The Shadowmaker’. The first show of its kind from an electronic music producer, this ‘living documentary’ blends live performance of his new album with film and personal storytelling into an exploration of human resilience, vulnerability, and liberation. A raw and unflinching portrayal of self-discovery, ‘The Shadowmaker’ traces Shackleton’s turbulent journey to finding his emotional voice through music. Premiering at Denver’s historic Holiday Theatre on February 8, 2025, this brave and deeply personal show illuminates the inner turmoil that often shadows our lives.

“Tracing my own complex, and often troubled, journey to bring this music into the light, ‘The Shadowmaker’ is by far my most personal work to date and also the most empowering,” said Shackleton. “It’s about shining a light on the darker moments, embracing vulnerability, and finding strength through creativity. My hope is that it resonates with anyone who has ever struggled to find their own voice.”

Created by the award-winning British producer and his filmmaker wife Chele Gutek, this unique show weaves storytelling, cinematic visuals, soundscapes and documentary footage through the live performance of songs from Shackleton’s upcoming ‘The Shadowmaker’ album. Renowned for igniting dancefloors and festivals worldwide with his epic DJ sets as Elite Force or under his own name, this time out Shackleton showcases his talents as a vocalist and keyboardist, accompanied by world-class drummer and former Lunatic Calm bandmate Jez Noble. Their live musicianship amplifies the show’s cinematic intensity, as Shackleton brings echoes of Pink Floyd, Massive Attack, David Bowie and Thom Yorke to his stunning new compositions of introspective electronica. The evening concludes with a post-show reception soundtracked by an exclusive ‘Shadowmaker Reconstructed Mix’ – a bold reimagining of the album tracks in a more club-friendly vein.

While Shackleton’s emotive music is the heartbeat of the show, slivers of Gutek’s filmmaking add depth and soul. Using archival footage and intimate interviews, she chronicles Shackleton’s struggle to balance artistic ambition with life challenges, expectation and self-doubt. “Simon and I have been wanting to collaborate for some time, and The Shadowmaker is the perfect medium to merge our storytelling methods,” said Gutek. “Each of Simon’s tracks is rich with emotional depth and pairing them with his personal story magnifies the impact even further. While anchored to Simon’s experiences, this is a universal story of learning to navigate the emotional and psychological terrain that we’re often too afraid to share. Through this journey, we hope to inspire others to confront and embrace their own.”

Delivering its powerful narrative to a global audience, Gutek’s full-length documentary will be submitted to film festivals after The Shadowmaker premiere in Denver, Colorado. Shackleton chose to debut the show in Denver after relocating to the area last year. He credits the wide-open spaces of Colorado for giving him the clarity to realign his creative vision.

With a robust singles release schedule well underway, ‘The Shadowmaker’ album is set to drop on February 7. “With this album and show, I wanted to create something that not only pushes me creatively but also invites the audience into a deeply personal and immersive experience,” said Shackleton. “At a time when human connection is being severed by smartphones, The Shadowmaker invites us to connect through shared emotions, find beauty in our struggles, and ultimately celebrate the power of transformation.”

Tickets for the world premiere of The Shadowmaker at Denver’s Holiday Theater are on sale now, starting at just $50 plus booking fee. A historical landmark originally built in 1914, the beautifully renovated 400-seat theatre, run by the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, is the perfect setting for this unique experience.

Follow Simon at https://www.simonshackleton.org/ for tour dates

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