Ellie Goulding - Gig Review Nottingham Rock City 9 March 2010

Awaiting our box office tickets, it was nice to see a pleasantly diverse crowd ploughing through the doors. Normally for gigs in general, there’s this horrific and never ending queue of a particular stereotype that matches that particular band. Tonight however, was refreshingly different. Ok, so the age didn’t vary much between 14 and low 20’s, but who expects hundreds of OAP’s to turn out for a generally young line-up? Passion Pit supported by Ellie Goulding awaited inside.

On arrival a well…nameless band were attempting to set the scene for the night ahead. Who to be fair, created some form of atmosphere. Admittedly, it’s difficult when you’re playing in front of a crowd that’s quite clearly too big for you, nobody particularly cares as they haven’t paid to come and see you, and if you missed the introductory groan of ‘we’re…(whoever the heck they are)’ then your identity remains anonymous to the masses. Not necessarily an atmosphere with huge amounts of tension and anticipation, but hey, live music before more live music which you weren’t expecting? Better than ‘Naïve’ by The Kooks being churned out of the speakers any day of the week.

Ellie Goulding to follow then who has had so much hype it’s unreal. Within the space of releasing her debut album ‘Lights’, she has racked up festival appearances for 2010 such as V Festival, Underage Festival, Dot To Dot, Beach Break Live, and that’s not naming all. She’s also being predicted across the country as a hot act to watch for in 2010. So, no pressure Ellie but you’ve got some work to do to earn these titles!

After a singular chant of ‘Ellie! Ellie!’ (impressive considering she’s only supporting), she arrives with her 3 band-mates. Armed with an acoustic guitar, she manages to rock out if you will. In fact, she looked almost caged, trapped. It seemed like she wanted to go for it even more, but never the less, she kicked off the set well. Soon after getting into it and fired up, she resigns to a slower number, performing with only her vocals (which can I add have been flawless until now).

The more she and her band continued, the more they seem to be enjoying themselves. Ellie, now occasionally accompanying the drummer with a singular drum and cymbal, creating rapturous percussions. Smiles fill the stage as the big finale approaches.

Ellie Goulding plays first release of the album, ‘Under The Sheets’. The standing crowd merge into one wave of hyperactive jumping teenagers, and also one united voice on the chorus line ‘We’re under the sheets and your killing me’.

Finally, after a swig of water, she pouts around the mic announcing it’s her last song. All that’s needed is a flash of her hands mimicking a star to spark a screaming crowd in anticipation for second release and biggest track to date ‘Starry Eyed’. Song breaks out and reignites the sea of leaping fans below the balcony I spectated from. I originally questioned her ability to perform this live, but she didn’t disappoint.

A short set came to a close. Her voice was simply immaculate. The crowd liked it. Energetic. Bags of potential! The only draw back was the length of the show, which demonstrates the quality. And in fact one of the reasons it seemed short was because she left us wanting more. But then what can you expect from someone who doesn’t have a huge amount of content to choose from? Oh, and speaking of expectations, she met and surpassed them. Cue round of applause and cheers please. Watch for this lady in the future! Wait, hasn’t that been said before? Ah who cares.

Charlie