Last night, British Singer Songwriter Ellie Goulding began her North American tour in front of a jam packed show at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.
The concert was Ellie’s return to New York, having performed at Terminal 5 last year, but her first time performing at the famed MSG. Before Ellie took the stage, her opening act Conway got the crowd warmed up. Conway, a beautiful golden-haired songstress, played a strong set featuring her singles “Big Talk” and “Hustler” before her and the incredible band backing her closed things out. Later, we spotted Conway taking pictures and chatting with fans in the hallway. Check out more about Conway here or listen to her “Big Talk” EP here.
After a brief intermission, and sessions of navigating the incredibly jammed theatre concession area, it was time for the main attraction! Goulding came out in a futuristic, sexy , but not too over the top outfit and belted out track after track, almost building the momentum continuously . The crowd, who’s ovation at times was frankly overwhelming, responded to every vocal and physical move Ellie offered them.
After performing “Animal,” she took a second to say how she could already tell how much she loved the crowd and also said how she sees that there were fans who’ve really been listening to her music for a long time in the audience.
In addition to her own songs she performed covers of Elton John’s classic “Your Song” as well as a live version of her cover of James Blake’s “Life Round Here” which she released featuring an intense as usual Angel Haze verse. In between the two covers, she also performed her new song “Beating Heart” which appears on the upcoming soundtrack to the film Divergent which hit record store and digital shelves this past Tuesday (March 11).
She made sure to save the biggest and best for last with four of her last five songs being arguably her biggest; “Lights,” “Anything Could Happen” and her collaboration with Superstar DJ Calvin Harris “I Need Your love” came near the end, but it was her newest and biggest song to date “Burn” that closed out the incredible performance.
With Ellie appearing at MSG again tonight, she definitely has her work cut out for her if she wants to live up to the opening night excitement. We’re betting she’ll rise to the occasion.
Watch a fan video of her performing “Anything Could Happen” from the show below:
Ellie Goulding Spring 2014 Tour Dates:
March 12 New York, NY Theatre at Madison Square Garden
March 14 Philadelphia, PA Liacouras Center
March 16 Washington, DC Echostage
March 17 Boston, MA Agganis Arena
March 20 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
March 22 Austin, TX Austin Music Hall
March 24 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center
March 25 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom
April 19 San Francisco, CA Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
April 22 Portland, OR Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
April 23 Seattle, WA Paramount Theater
April 24 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
April 26 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall
April 27 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Center
April 29 Garden City, ID Revolution Center
May 1 Magna, UT The Great Salt Air
May 2 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater
Photo Credit IG: Wright_Wilson
Spencer @Sjeezs
