St. Lucia Lights Up L.A.'s El Rey

If you were anywhere within a 4-block radius of Hollywood’s El Rey Theater Tuesday night, you would have seen a line weaving out the door and wrapped around the corner for the sold-out St. Lucia show. And if you were standing anywhere inside the venue, you would have been shoulder to shoulder in a hall filled with passionate fans dancing, singing along with the band and generally vibing off St. Lucia’s unique brand of euphorically upbeat, sonic soundscape pop.

Fully cloaked from head to toe in eclectic Caribbean indie-electro-pop garb, the band opened with the leadoff track from last year’s “When the Night” album “Night Comes Again” before segueing into fan-favorite “The Old House Is Gone.” It may have been the fan blowing in his face (or possibly the zebra pattern loafers he was rocking), but it seemed clear that frontman and virtual one-man band Jean-Philip Grobler came ready to unleash a high energy, smile-induced set aimed at keeping St. Lucia’s growing fanbase hopping all evening long.

Following shortly after came St. Lucia’s signature crowd pleaser “We Got It Wrong,” prompting Grobler to urge the crowd into an extended “don’t go, don’t go away” chant that maintained throughout most of the song. That was no small feat for Grobler, as he simultaneously soldiering on playing guitar and providing lead vocals while thrusting his fists in the air and constantly pumping momentum in the sustained crowd sing-along. It all seems about 10 times harder than trying to rub your belly and tap your head, which we all know is nearly impossible.

Another set highlight was an off-kilter, yet awesome rendition of Chaka Kahn’s “Ain’t Nobody,” showing off the band’s impressive range as well as playing tribute to one of Grobler’s musical inspirations.

As the night drew to a close, Grobler stopped just long enough to take a group picture with his cell phone before launching into show closer “September,” which proved to be one of the well-received songs of the night.