Ellie Goulding Makes Good on First Visit to Toronto

   Following the North American release of Lights, Britain's Ellie Goulding descended upon Canada, more specifically the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Sunday night, for her only Toronto engagement introducing her brand of electro-folk pop to crowd mixed with fans as well as many unfamiliar with the popular Brit's sound.

  Electronic duo, The Knocks kicked off the night with a fluid, energetic set that included the hit 'Dancing With The DJs' and remixes/mash-ups of tracks by The Killers and Imogen Heap. The Knocks proved to be one of the best opening acts, in a long while providing the crowd with plenty of energy and thumping beats. In short, The Knocks are worth every penny of the ticket and just damn good fun.
   The crowd's main focus however was on the arrival of Goulding, eager to find out what the feisty, blonde had to offer her Toronto audience. Opening with her hit single 'Under the Sheets', Goulding sported a guitar and offered up a consistent set of crowd pleasing songs, from 'Guns & Horses' to 'The Writer,'  including her gorgeous cover of Sir Elton John's 'Your Song' (backing vocals provided by the enthusiastic audience). Breaking it the evening, an acoustic performance of 'I Wish I Stayed' showed a more raw Ellie, before shifting into an amped up sexy version of 'Salt Skin', complete with drum solo and mash-up of Kanye West's 'Power.
   Between takes Goulding chatted with the audience, though the microphone was muffled (sound all evening could have been more crisp), making anything other than her adorable British accent hard to pick up on. Judging by the inflection in her voice she sounded excited (We'll go with that!).
   Caping off the night with the single 'Lights' and crowd favourite 'Starry Eyed', Goulding kept the energy flowing, letting loose on her single drum, she managed to end on a rather high note for the evening.
   Goulding's band of attractive (at least from our vantage point) merry men on keys, drums and guitar, acted as a solid sound support to Ellie's performance which left both her fans and curious onlookers (newly minted fans or 'Gouldings') wanting more of the pixie sized Brit and we do!