Ellie Goulding Plays Impromptu Free Acoustic Set at LACMA (pics)

[February 11th, 2013 – Los Angeles]

Ellie Goulding played an impromptu free acoustic set comprising four songs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Monday promoted by an ambiguous Facebook update “Maaay or may not be doing a little pop-up acoustic show in LA tomorrow outside the LACMA museum around 2 if anyone wants to hang out…” and a pair of tweets – one from Goulding herself and one from LACMA Monday morning, confirming the event.

“It’s a weird day,” said the popular British chanteuse who is in LA to play a pair of sold out shows at larger concert venues, including the Wiltern on Feb 9th and the Hollywood Palladium Tuesday Feb 12th. “Not weird, in a bad way…I honestly didn’t expect anyone to come,” she said, addressing the large crowd of some 300 who had assembled on the outdoor steps beside the “Urban Light” installation in front of the Museum.

At one point the singer briefly removed her thick sunglasses and received a cheer, presumably because the highly devotional audience appreciated the connection. “Sorry, it’s just too bright out today,” she joked.

With a simple backup of acoustic guitar and piano, Goulding’s raspy and distinct voice easily handled a variety of complex vocal passages with delicate nuance and groove that proved her electro-heavy release isn’t mere trickery and processing.

“I want to thank my incredible band mates…wow, I am getting a bit emotional…”

And with a polite thank, you was quickly escorted by a handful of bodyguards to her car, leaving a small army of Los Angelenos playing hookie from work to bask in the pleasant Monday afternoon sun betwixt the rows of Urban Lights.