You know you’re going to have a good night when you are wandering a cold city holding a map to find the venue. The venue used to be easy to find, that was until they decided to move it. I, and others fail to see why they moved the Academy in Birmingham. It was fine just where it was, but that’s a different story.

 

The last time I saw La Roux was at The Sugarmill in Stoke. Quite a small venue compared to the O2 Academy.

Sat on the floor outside the Academy with our hats to keep us warm and Bacardi and Sprite for entertainment, it didn’t matter how cold we got. That was until we heard La Roux sound check. Anyone who knows me knows that I cannot listen to Cover My Eyes. It is one of the saddest songs I have ever heard and is the only track off the album I can’t listen to. My best friend, who was with me, feels exactly the same. So imagine how we felt when we were heard it being played in the sound check. Insert a few expletives and us banging on the door we had our backs to, telling La Roux to stop.

 

Support came from Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, who are ridiculously handsome and energetic. With a half hour set, they easily won the crowd over- especially with set closer, Dance The Way I Feel. Which I think my best friend had some kind of seizure during. She also blew kisses with one of the singers. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool are one of my favourite support acts I’ve seen, but it won’t be long before they are the headline act.

 

Finally it was time for La Roux to come on. The lights dimmed and the intro to Tigerlily blasted out with the words La Roux flashing from the stage.

The band and Elly came onto the stage greeted by what can only be described as a loving noise. I’m not entirely sure; I think the Bacardi was kicking in at this point.

The one thing that pisses me off about the press is how they portray Elly to be some kind of bitch who is always angry. Go to one of her gigs and you’ll see that she adores her fans a hell of a lot, and the way she interacts with them is by no means bitchy.

Most of the album is played including Saviour, a bonus track.

Halfway through she removes her jacket, saying she was too hot. She was greeted by various loving remarks and whistles. She replied with “Oh fuck off!” Claps all round.

The end of Quicksand was changed to “I’m in Birmingham” which was pretty cool. I’ll get this bit over with because it was quite painful. They played Cover My Eyes. My best friend and I looked at each other, and we hugged throughout the whole song. I only cried a little bit. I think I was just in awe of how amazing Elly’s voice was, so I ignored how heartbreaking the song is.

At one point she gave me a smile, I think part of me died a little. She took notice of us at the front row and called us the “frantic wavers” and as she waved, my best friend leaned over the barrier. I thought she had dropped her bag; this was greeted by an “Oh hello!” from Elly. Turns out my best friend flashed her boobies at her. This story has been told to everyone and is up there with meeting Florence.

See, waiting for hours to get to the front always pays off.

The set ended with Bulletproof which of course everybody went mental over. If you’ve not seen La Roux live yet, do yourself a favour and go do it. And whilst you’re at it, go see when Ou Est Le Swimming Pool are playing near you and go see them too!