Photo: Andy Morris
Less than 24 hours after leading a conga line down the length of an Air Berlin flight and enduring a game of ‘saucy bingo’ at 30,000 feet, Ellie Goulding takes to the stage at the El Conquistador in Puerto Rico to discuss one of the most surreal gigs of her career.
This weekend Goulding, along with Kendrick Lamar and Calvin Harris will headline the first Bacardi Triangle event, where an international lineup of talent attempts to recreate the same anarchic party spirit of your average 1920s prohibition throw down.
The event has been crafted partly by the rum brand (“We just like throwing cool parties” says one spokesperson) but also by the events company Broadwick Live, the people behind Snowbombing and Festival No. 6. Everything is focused on threes: three artists, three chartered planes, the three ingredients of a Cuba Libre. Located on the eastern side of Puerto Rico, the hotel itself is stunning, built around three pools (naturally) and blessed with a funicular, Wes Anderson’s public transport of choice. Throughout the huge resort, there are triangles everywhere: the entire event has the vague air of an Illuminati conference but with stronger drinks.
The island playing host to tomorrow’s gig is leased by the hotel and is a short ferry ride away; mysterious and magnificent, it’s not a surprise that it’s the go-to location for anyone looking to film a swashbuckling epic. As one of the tourist reps awkwardly puts it: “Puerto Ricans are known for two things: rum and music. And beaches.”
So Gigwise find ourselves with the press core at the hotel, sheltering from a little light rain, quizzing Ellie Goulding. There is a storm brewing and the DJ, who has a seemingly endless supply of boomy house, falls silent for the first time in hours. Lamar was also set to take part in the press conference (apparently he was delayed by a flight) as was Tensnake (who was delayed by his inability to function after a 4am DJ set the night before). Thankfully Goulding has enough charisma to make up for any absences.
Wearing big black bovver boots, a black bikini and a expression of mild amusement, Goulding is clearly excited by the prospect of such a unique gig. She is also gracious enough to field any international journalist questions. The key findings? Yes, she will probably have a couple of shots before she goes on stage tomorrow (she prefers her drink on the rocks, pubs to clubs and only tried teetotal-touring when she supported Bruno Mars on the road). She has played islands before, but never such a striking location. She loved recording a version of The Weeknd’s High For This, partly for the surprised reaction she gets. Queried by a men’s lifestyle writer on what it would take to impress her, the response was simply “It would have to be something pretty epic, I’m not easily impressed”. Her costume for tonight’s party? "It’ll either be sexy/slutty depending on my stylist or Mr Blobby. It could go either way."
Asked about her new album she defers questions saying it’s too early, but does share a few keys details; she hopes to have it ready to tour next summer. She wants Calvin Harris to return the favour by appearing on her album (“He better be!) and teases the fact there could be one male singer songwriter on the album (“Keeping it old school…do a male/female duet”). The conference concludes by a Brazilian journalist asking about this “whole celebrity feminist thing” which Goulding deftly fields, indicating that she has “strong feelings on the matter” but unsurprisingly can’t do justice to them in a neat soundbite.
The weather lifts momentarily and the press depart. The forecast for tonight’s Halloween event is stormy. And we have to go and try and make a Noel Edmonds costume.
Find out more at bacardi.com
