With a shimmering stage presence and intricately unique vocal talent, Ellie Goulding heartily took on Red Rocks Amphitheater on May 2 for her “Halcyon Days” tour.
Red Rocks is not only internationally known, but to play there is an honor for all artists alike. The amphitheater website even says, “From Sting and The Beatles, to opera stars and U2, every artist aspires to play on this magical, spiritual and emotional stage.” And from experiencing Goulding’s concert, it was an absolutely magical and emotional night.
The atmosphere of the amphitheater alone is worth the visit. With rich and naturally sienna stained rocks jutting from the earth and beyond the stage and the glimmering view of Denver’s skyline on the horizon, you feel connected to yourself and nature at the venue.
Ellie had two openers, a British band titled Love Life and another band named CONWAY. Love Life’s sound was mellow yet intense, similar to that of The Neighborhood. CONWAY, lead by vocalist Kassia Conway, left me very impressed. Their sound was very electronica/hip-hop influenced and Kassia’s stage presence left those in the audience pumped for the approaching spectacle of the night, Ellie Goulding herself.
Anticipation built for 27-year-old and British-raised singer as the sun set and stars entered the sky. Especially in the front row where I stood. Those of us standing in the front had been there for hours upon hours in expectancy for the concert. Screams were drowned out by the music blaring from the speakers as Goulding’s set started and the amphitheater came alive with buzzing admiration as she stepped onto the stage, performing her indie-pop and melodramatic heartache anthem “Figure 8.”
Her set list sparkled almost as much as she did, as each vocally perfected track whizzed by with the night. “I won’t sing a lot of sad songs because I like happy music.” Ellie told the audience before singing her most recent song, written for the Divergent film, “Beating Heart.” With her voice only backed up with an acoustic guitar for the tune, the audience was either hushed in awe or singing along quietly to the perfectly performed ballad.
At one point in the show, Ellie stood alone on stage with her microphone and an acoustic guitar where she proved that her musical talent ranged a lot further from singing. Because of teaching herself how to play guitar as a teenager, her talent on the instrument is unbelievably strong.
The best performances of the night were hard to pick out. Her well known feel-good anthem, “Anything Can Happen,” had the entire arena jumping like crazy and dancing like there was no tomorrow. Songs of hers that have had extensive play on the radio stations gained the biggest reaction from the crowd, including singles like “I Need Your Love,” and “Lights.”
The most emotional and powerful performance of the night was Goulding’s recital of the heart touching song “Explosions.” In interviews in the past, the singer has said the song is written about her father, who left her family when Ellie was only 5. The deep meaning and connection to the singer was apparent when she sang it. Her voice carried the song along powerfully as her cheeks welcomed a few tears during the ballad.
The night ended with the electronic-pop musical gem, and Ellie’s current most popular song, “Burn.” For most in the audience, the world wasn’t real for the few minutes the song encased as everyone lost themselves in the song, including Goulding herself.
Ellie’s concert was one of the best I’ve ever been to, and to be honest, I have to say that she is better live than on recording. And that is really saying something. I know that I would have enjoyed the evening even if I wasn’t in the very front row. Ellie Goulding shows off the glimmering side of the music industry with her monumental talent and it is definitely a night that will go down in Red Rock’s history.
