Live Review: Sia @ 9:30 Club, March 7

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Sia is the most goddamn adorable performer touring today. Her March 7 show at the 9:30 Club did nothing to detract from that reality.

I showed up around 10:30 (sorry, Har Mar Superstar) and Sia was out front, apparently gabbing with fans. As I passed her, she gave me a huge smile and a great big, "Hello!" That's the kind of kick-off I love as a fan. She took the stage around 11, opening with "Buttons" with the band in full fluorescent costume. Underneath the black lights, it's a great way to start a concert. She performed predominantly from her latest, Some People Have Real Problems, hitting "Little Black Sandals," "Girl You Lost to Cocaine," "Playground," "Day Too Soon," and "Soon We'll Be Found." Of course, she also did her big hit, "Breathe Me," and a couple of Zero 7 tracks, "Destiny" and "Somersault."

It's not Sia's incredible voice (Good Lord and Butter, that woman can belt 'em out with the best in the business) that makes her shows so thoroughly enjoyable, though. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen anyone who appears to be having a better time on-stage than she does. She's all smiles and giggles and has some of the best audience banter I've ever heard. Last night, she gave stuffed animals to the crowd, allowed one fan to make out with her Rock 'n Roll Elmo doll and made happy birthday wishes to a couple of lucky fans. Add to that, she took requests from her website bulletin board and credited them to the fans that made them.

The only complaint of the night had nothing to do with Sia, but goes toward the crowd. Folks were a bit too vocal during some of her quieter numbers and there were a few ass hats in the back that simply wouldn't shut up. Not an uncommon occurrence at concerts, but that doesn't make it any more acceptable.

Here's another crappy photo from my cell phone of the band in full regalia doing "Buttons" and a couple of tracks from Sia's KCRW performance of a few years back.