Live Review: Ellie Goulding, Broods

The night was opened by Auckland-based pop duo Broods, comprising siblings Georgia and Caleb Nott. Having only risen to prominence just last year and with significant coverage of their single, Bridges, and self-titled EP, the duo have gained some leverage in the global music scene. When lead singer Georgia Nott started to belt her resilient vocals across the crowd it was impossible not to draw parallels with that other recent Kiwi pop sensation Lorde. But don't let the comparison deceive you: the duo proceeded to give the crowd what they wanted – pulsating rhythms and the melodies that were ethereal in quality. Never Gonna Change caused the crowd to stir to movements that were reflected in Georgia Nott's own movements while she audaciously held the microphone. They finished their set with their hit single, Bridges, allowing the crowds to relish in the pop-synth euphoria they so easily conveyed.

Ellie Goulding's emergence on to the stage was complemented by an exciting light show. As Challenge Stadium is quite small compared to other stadium venues, the sound was not lost to a pulsating mass of people, instead amplifying Goulding's performance by bringing the crowd closer to her ubiquitous sound. The song, Figure 8, kicked off her set with a strong drum beat and electronica bass drops that amplified the ecstatic effects the light show was drawing on the crowd. That was followed by tracks Goodness Gracious and Animal, allowing Goulding to demonstrate her unique soprano and vibrato-combined vocals. Starry Eyed was also included early on in the set, which, with Goulding's broken sampled vocals and quick, successive, almost disco-like drum beat, allowed the songstress to belt it out. The performance then departed from the club sound and lapsed into a more folk-like acoustic setting, where Goulding began to pick out emotive arpeggios from her acoustic guitar in Guns And Horses. The emotional atmosphere was carried on with a cover of Elton John's Your Song, the crowd lighting up their phones and waving the small lights in the dark. Anything Could Happen and I Need Your Love gave the audience something to really dance to as the encore approached ever closer; these songs were intended for making audiences lose themselves during gigs. A lengthy silence ensued and Goulding re-emerged to finish off her set with Burn, a hit song that demonstrated her prowess and humble presence to the crowd, ensuring ticket holders would not leave disappointed.