La Roux Brings The '80s To NYC

Having canceled several US tour dates because of lung trouble, La Roux's Elly Jackson kept her appointment with New York City's Highline Ballroom early this week. Looking androgynous in a slim-cut, shiny, striped suit, and with her red hair defying gravity, Ms. Jackson strode out on stage to tremendous cheers from the sold out crowd and kicked off the show with "Tigerlily" from the UK duo's (Elly's partner in crime is synth player, co-writer and co-producer Ben Langmaid) self-titled debut album.

Due to the aforementioned health problems, Elly apologized profusely for the short set, which clocked in at around half an hour, but they did not leave out a single hit. The break-out track "In For The Kill" drew the loudest screams of approval. "Colourless Colour" allowed Elly to amp up the energy, teasing the excitable mass in front of her by stepping in close and basking in the palpable adoration. And when she thrust her microphone out during set-closer "Bulletproof," she summoned an instant sing along with the crowd chiming in for the chorus.

The show sounded slick and polished, with two keyboards, a computer and even an electronic drumset creating a steady wall of sound. Elly was cheerful as she paused between songs to catch her breath, happy with the band's reception. There was not much banter and that was probably for the best as the songs certainly spoke for themselves.

-- OLGA BAS

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