The Halcyon Days Tour
January 29th, 2013 // Aragon Ballroom // Chicago, IL
Photos and Words by Ashley Osborn
You’ve probably all heard her break through single, “Lights,” on the radio. It’s an upbeat, pitch-perfect tune that’s irresistibly dancy and impossible to not sing along to. That’s right – I’m talking about Ellie Goulding. The last time she had performed in Chicago was 2011 at a rowdy Lollapalooza, and before that? An intimate room with only 300 people right as her debut album was hitting hearts hard here in the states. I was at that 300 person show and it was overwhelming to see this talented sensation perform in such a large capacity venue last week.
As a bubbly Ellie Goulding walked onstage to greet her SOLD OUT Aragon Ballroom crowd, she seemed composed. She held a straight face and didn’t flinch as she began her introduction to “Don’t Say A Word.” She seemed more focused than ever when the crowd immediately erupted with excitement. It was quickly clear that this wasn’t just another sold out show for Goulding.
Fans were overjoyed as Goulding’s soft voice began gracing their ears. They held onto her (figuratively, of course) as they began belting along to every intimate note. As her set continued she managed to somehow mix every aspect of her entire discography into one bone chilling set. Everything from the arena pop hits found on her brand new album, Halcyon, to her old soulful acoustic or dance tunes on her debut LP, Lights.
A true highlight of the set for me was when Goulding bared all and played “I Know You Care.” As she stood center stage she quietly spoke to her audience, ‘This is dedicated to my father…’ and began playing the emotional tune. Not a peep was heard in the crowd and she used her voice to showcase every emotion she held inside, onstage for the crowd to receive. It was truly an unexplainable feeling.
After she did a, what I like to call ‘quiet block’ of songs (it was phenomenal), Goulding bumped up the tunes and began playing some of her greatest pop hits. I don’t want to give the set away for those who haven’t attended this tour but it was marvelous. The type of energy Goulding brough, even with her soft-spoken speaking voice and mellow appeal, is one I can only compare to being at a festival. As the thousands of fans around me jumped and danced – that’s exactly how I felt (even though it was 20 degrees outside).
The Aragon Ballroom is the most beautiful venue I have ever seen or as Goulding stated herself, she “has ever played.” It is a oval shaped venue with hints of several galaxies and space all across the ceiling. When Goulding closed the first portion of her set with “Starry Eyed,” fans glanced up top towards the ceiling and became captivated by both the sights and sounds of the night for what I felt was the first time.
Miss Goulding stepped onstage for her encore after the over 5,000 diehard fans overwhelmingly chanted her name. She closed with her, as previously mentioned, incredible single ‘Lights’ and the crowed turned into vultures as they ate up every ounce of energy they could find. It was time for this night to come to an end.
As fans rushed down the two giant staircases smiles were held, however, these were not the “wow I’m so happy” smiles you may want to picture. They were the “wow, what just happened to me” type of smiles. They were truly left without words.
Goulding will continue her sold out Halcyon Days Tour in the USA for a few more days. Eventually, she heads back overseas to play Europe and even Asia. Her summer plans are still unknown. However, I think we’re all secretly hoping she announces some major festivals.
