Ogden City Amphitheater turned into a rave for all ages on the night of July 6 in the latest installment of the summer Twilight Concert Series. For the ninth year in a row, this summer concert series has been bringing in musicians from around the nation. This year, they decided to branch out internationally as they searched the globe for the best. Diplo, Gioli and Assia, and Sootah fit the bill.

In the early evening, there were about 100 people in and around the concert area. The security gathered at the entrances and were focused on ensuring a safe environment for concertgoers and artists alike. The crowd loosely hung around, going from booth to booth or observing the screen up on stage. Road crews and event staff slowly gathered and positioned equipment in the center, adding tables, work benches and bottled water. The booth vendors offered delights such as Lucky Slice pizza and iced coffee from The Wasatch Brewing Company.

“We love coming out here,” Allie Ray, a worker from the World’s Best Corndogs, said. “It’s a blast and everyone is so nice and fun to help out.”

The Twilight Concert offered a beer garden with seating as well as two large beer areas for the alcohol-friendly crowd. Most everyone had a can or a cup of something in their hands. Security guards would also pass out water to anyone looking dehydrated.

An hour and a half after gates opened, Sootah, a DJ pair from Salt Lake City, broke the background mix with their live sounds. Sootah makes techno/house music which fuses elements of tech, bass and traditional house beats. Cody, the producer and the duo’s electrifying vocalist, and Brandon, who contributed the thick beats and dance floor ambience, forged an instant and distinguished presence. The crowd filled with head nods and hand waves as the music filled the venue.

The VIP section, made up of bleacher-seating, also contained a small area for standing next to the separation gate between the DJs offstage and the hungry crowd beyond. For a while, there was still room to walk around the entire venue, but this condition would not last. At the end of the first act, a smooth transition took place for the next DJ pair.

For Gioli and Assia, playing music in a beautiful landscape is no new thing. These two travel all over the world to record and play. Assia’s vocals transcended the moment and transported the crowd to a ripe piece of heaven on earth. Gioli brings the beats to match the sound of Assia’s voice with her signature custom-made hand pan (drum), and the two collide to create an amazing blend of electro-pop techno beats. These two artists used their instruments as brushes, painting their sound over and through the amphitheater.

By the time Gioli and Assia were halfway through their performance, the crowd had swollen to the size of around 500. People were hot but very happy to be in attendance.

The Twilight Concert Series is the place to be on summer nights in Ogden. People came dressed to party, decked out from hair to toe in bright colors and elaborate patterns. Some concertgoers wore full costumes, dressing as fairies or angels. Others were prancing dancers, far out at the edge of the crowd who had long pieces of rainbow fabric affixed to hand fans that blended perfectly with the evening’s colorful vibe. The dancers moved around free as wild birds. And just like that, Gioli and Assia were tip-toeing off stage as Diplo took over.

The stage ignited when Diplo appeared. Diplo is a DJ who loves to mix house and techno tunes to make fun beats. Diplo is a Grammy-winning powerhouse who does not mess around when it’s showtime. He works hard on stage to bring music people want and love. He’s known for such hits as “Where Are You Now?” featuring Justin Bieber.

“This is where everyone is in Ogden and where everyone comes together. It’s the best way to see the people I know and catch up.” Mary Noorda, an attendee, said. “I’m so proud that I live here, and this is my community, and I am a part of this!”

The next Ogden Twilight Concert is scheduled for Aug. 8 with Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival with Hippo Campus supporting. Tickets for this show are $15. For more information on the Ogden Twilight Concert Series, visit ogdentwilight.com.