I’m just going to throw it out there, Leah Mason is bloody brilliant. I say this about most female singers with a guitar, but she really is brilliant. Her voice and stage presence were of someone who had been doing it for years. I know next to nothing about Leah Mason. I’d only heard a couple of songs before seeing her tonight, and her half hour set left me wanting to hear a lot more. She’s stunning and plays the guitar amazingly.
Just after 9pm the venue lights are dimmed, the crowd start screaming a bit and the intro to Lights commences. Ellie and her band take to the stage, and cause a riot with Lights. Most fans are gutted that it didn’t make the album, but hearing it live makes up for it, easily. The whole album is played alongside a cover of Midlake’s Roscoe, which, not being biased or anything, is one of my favourite covers- I’m not really into covers but Ellie takes this and makes it her own. A few songs into the set, she says it is “bloody brilliant” to be back home. My personal highlight was Salt Skin, it always is. It’s the drumming. The intensity on Ellie’s face as she beats the shit out of the drum is fascinating. Wish I Stayed is played acoustically, one of the first demos she wrote, in her dressing gown at university, she tells us. Proving that not all students go out and get wasted every night.
Its struggle to express just how beautiful tonight’s gig was, you just have to see it for yourself. Her band- Joe (drums), Chris (bass, keys, and guitar) and Max (synth/keys) are excellent musicians who sing along to every word like us in the crowd. Of course it’s Guns And Horses and Starry Eyed that are sung the loudest by the crowd. However at least half of us destroy our lungs and vocal chords singing to Every Time You Go and Your Biggest Mistake. The Writer is heartbreakingly beautiful probably because it’s easy to relate to.
Ellie recently supported John Mayer, including two nights at Wembley. Regardless of the size of venue, whether it’s Wembley or the Academy 2 in Manchester- Ellie Goulding leaves the crowd in awe. There is no denying just how wonderful and talented she is, and I’m not just saying this because I’ve loved her music for over a year now. I nearly didn’t make it to the gig as it was sold out, but two mates had spare tickets thankfully!
She leaves the stage graciously bowing and blowing kisses, November seems so far away.
The only downside was breaking down on the motorway going home. Could be worse though, could’ve happened on the way there!
Beat In My Bones. 