While the mainstream music machine cranks out a new blow-up pop princess every 15 minutes (now with auto tune!), Ellie Goulding is like a messenger from above, sent to remind club-goers and party people everywhere that there's still some original dance pop out there. Her vocal uniqueness, namely, is what sets her apart from the herd—technically a soprano, she ranges from dreamy chirps to raspy, desperate wailing, all carried with a hardly contained surge of emotion. From career heights we could only dream of (triple-platinum certification and a personal invitation to sing at William and Kate's royal wedding reception), Goulding comes down from the heavens to play for us plebes. It would be a sin to miss it.
Tue., April 15, 8 p.m., 2014
