A gigantic, inflatable pony. Flashing rainbow lights. A thousand fans screaming about sunflowers. Sporting a white, collared sweater combo and a sheepish grin, Rex Orange County builds a whimsical, musical fantasyland wherever he wanders.

Denver’s sold-out Fillmore Auditorium and a devoted Friday night audience hosted the 24-year-old Rex Orange County on Jan. 24. Born Alex O’Connor, the English-born singer/songwriter made his first-ever appearance in the Mile High City during the tour of his newest album, “Pony,” released on Oct. 25 of last year. 

Dancing to Drake and Future tracks as an out-of-place opener, the young, glitter-faced crowd roared approval when the palpably kind and gentle Rex Orange County finally shuffled onto stage. O’Connor is not a dazzling, special effects aficionado—he’s a simple English 20-something who likes to shyly wave and sneak soft smiles to the crowd, almost like he’s desperately hoping they’ll like his show. At the same time, he holds a secret confidence that bursts when he sings lyrics like, “Give myself a little credit // Since I dealt with all the pain // Yeah, I turned superhero // I’m comin’ in Bruce Wayne” on his opening song of the show and his album, “10/10.” 

O’Connor’s show began with a healthy mix of his most energy-filled songs, including “Pony”’s “Face to Face” and his 2017 song, “Television / So Far So Good.” With a rhythm section, tenor saxophone and trumpet in tow, the emotions of his songs seemed to change with the color of lights whether they were vibrant pink or a soft blue. 

Most artists simply can’t pull off six solo guitar/vocals songs in a row during a large-venue concert—Rex Orange County can. Halfway through Friday night’s show, a curtain fell to hide O’Connor’s band, leaving him isolated with his keyboards and an electric guitar, a visual representation of one of his most used musical themes: loneliness. 

“Is it all right if I play a few songs by myself for you guys tonight?” O’Connor asked in his cheeky accent. At the Fillmore, everyone thundered in approval. 

He played a slew of songs from his previous albums, “Apricot Princess” and “Bcos U Will Never B Free,” including the solo guitar fan-favorite, “Corduroy Dreams.” After asking polite permission from the audience, O’Connor also played a cover of Alicia Key’s 2007 hit, “No One,” prompting a venue-wide singalong.

After his miniature solo set, the curtains once again rolled up to reveal his band and a set change with a silver pony on stage in homage to his album’s name. 

Rex Orange County brought the sunny happiness of California to Denver’s winter—confetti poured down on the audience during the rainbow-tinted, “Never Had the Balls,” a sea of iPhone lights illuminated “Pluto Projector” and the critically-acclaimed “Sunflower” had the audience enveloped in an exuberant dance party. O’Connor possesses a sound and authenticity that brings people together so well; refreshingly optimistic, he sings about his struggles, a shy sad-boy expertly proclaiming his darkest and happiest times to audiences across the world.

Though the second round of confetti rained down on the audience again during his encore, “Always,” one of the most special songs of the concert was the actual ending to his full set, “It’s Not the Same Anymore.” The last song on “Pony,” the six-minute masterpiece brought tears to the eyes of audience members while they sang along with O’Connor to heartbreakingly simple lyrics like “It’s not the same anymore // I lost the joy in my face // My life was simple before.” This closing number, outfitted with horns and acoustic guitars alike, is a touching song about growing up and mental health, two themes O’Connor has never been one to shy away from. 

Towards the end of his 90-minute set, Rex Orange County played “Best Friend,” a favorite of fans everywhere. Before the mid-song breakdown, he abruptly stopped his performance. 

“Can you guys do me a favor?” he asked. “Could you, just for the rest of this song, please just put your phones away and live this moment with me? Think of how cool it would be to share this moment not with the whole world, but just between us.”

The fans kept their promise. As the Fillmore auditorium shook with the lyrics, “You’re gonna wanna be my best friend, baby,” the audience shared the moment with O’Connor, creating the type of fan-artist best-friendship he cultivates every time he steps on stage.