Concert review: La Roux

La Roux is most known for their first hit single “Bulletproof” but I am a fan of all their songs because their music is catchy, electric and fun. I saw them at the El Rey Theatre last October but it wasn’t a full set and lead singer Elly Jackson’s voice wasn’t all that great because she was sick. I was looking forward seeing them play at Club Nokia on Thursday night because it is a bigger venue. It was a great show, but Jackson wasn’t at her best vocally. I still had fun but it was disappointing that she was sick again.

They started with a powerful song, “Tigerlily.” I was screaming at the top of my lungs when she appeared with a long, furry sleeveless robe, which made her look like a queen. I felt privileged to be in the front row. But as she was singing her voice sounded forced. After that song she announced that she was a sick and apologized.

The best song of the night was “Armour Love” because I felt an emotional connection when she sang “You pull on your Armour and put up defences.” To me the song is about keeping your feelings to yourself. It seemed really raw and honest when she sang that song.

The final song of the night, an extended version of “Bulletproof,” was exciting and colorful.  The opening beats were extended to 50 seconds and the crowd was hyped up. Then all of the sudden Jackson came out from backstage, and as she started singing everyone including me was singing along. It sounded way better live than the recorded version because it felt like she meant what she was singing. To me she is telling us she won’t get pushed around and to be true to yourself.

There was a much bigger crowd compared to her performance at the El Rey since Club Nokia holds more than 2,300 people and the El Rey holds about 900. It was more exciting because the bigger crowd gave it more energy.

They didn’t play “Cover My Eyes” and “Reflections are Protections,” which are two of my favorite songs from the self-titled album, but managed to sneak in a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb.” I liked the way they interpreted the song because they fused their electronic style with an original rock song.

It was a bittersweet concert. I wish Jackson sang better because that would have made the concert a lot better, but all in all it was a good show.