Features
HotStar: Ellie Goulding
The tour kicks off at The Fillmore in Miami Jan. 16 and wraps at The Palladium in Los Angeles Feb. 12. The tour supports her sophomore album, Halcyon, which will help determine if her critically acclaimed talent equates to more radio play.
Then again, the English singer-songwriter has already seen her share of attention.
“Ellie is a real talent and is very dedicated to her craft as well as her fans,” her Stateside agent, Kirk Sommer, told Pollstar. “She has already played in some of the most interesting situations around the world and the possibilities are endless as her star continues to rise.”
Those “interesting situations” include performing Elton John’s “Your Song” at both the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and the royal wedding reception for Prince William and Kate Middleton. She also sang at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C., and won the critics’ choice award at the 2010 Brit Awards.
Goulding grew up in a small village near Kington, Herefordshire, and was praised for her singing and songwriting by her early teens. In college, she was introduced to electronic music and collaborated with her future record producer Starsmith before signing with Polydor in 2009. That was when Sommer first came in contact with her, having been introduced through manager Jamie Lillywhite.
“I was captivated by her beautiful and distinct voice,” Sommer said. “In 2010, she was the second artist to top the BBC poll and win the Critics’ Choice Award at the Brits. Her introductory shows in North America were some of the most exciting I have ever seen.”
Halcyon debuted at No. 1 on iTunes.