The last time electro-pop extraordinaire Ellie Goulding was at Hangout Fest she was just a guest of then-beau Skrillex on one of the small stages. A year and a couple of RIAA gold and platinum-certified selling singles under her belt later, the British bombshell was rocking the three-day event’s largest venue Sunday.
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The
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The Body Roll
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The Hip Rocker
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The Feeling Myself
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The Backwards Hair Flip
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The
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The Hands Up
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The Snake
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The
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The Just Listen
Working it in a plain black jumper, matching high tops and messy wind-blown blonde tresses, Elles (we’re tight like that) could have easily walked off the stage and blended right into the crowd of thousands who packed the beachfront in front of Hangout’s main stage. Well, maybe if she accessorized with a hula hoop.
But with no stunts or props to aid her in her 14-song set, we wondered how Ellie’s headphones-in-a-bedroom swagger would translate to the festival’s raging stadium-like atmosphere. Should have known with this girl can hold it down with nothing but a falsetto and some light twerking.
Taking a cue from eager spectators anticipating a party, Ellie announced “It’s time to move a little bit” midway through her performance. That’s when she filled that massive stage the most, launching into a tear of her dance hits that even had the accented beauty on her knees performing modified yoga dance moves to tracks from her debut Lights and its followup Halcyon.
Ellie had the Hangout crowd in a frenzied state by the time she transitioned into big singles like “Anything Could Happen.” Seriously, the most synchronized fist pumping you’ve ever seen in our life occurred during the breakdown.
The dance party continued through Calvin Harris hit “I Need Your Love” and VH1’s personal favorite “Starry Eyed.” By the time she closed with “Lights,” Ellie turned all of Gulf Shores beach into her very own massive bedroom party. Get out of here, crowd surfing and inflatable objects. Ellie Goulding don’t need you.