Production designers values were high at the El Rey Theatre last week, as two differently dynamic acts wowed a sold-out crowd of after-workers. 

First to the stage was the dreamily offbeat and leisurely peppy, Willoughby.  Led by it-bassist Gus Seyffert, Willoughby offered us their special brand of neo-folk, vagabond-pop that was every bit as charming as it was mellow.  There were echoes of Beatles, there were whispers of Wilco, there were stuffed animals strewn across the stage and perched atop amps. 

Seyffert, a session sideman to Inara George, The Bird and The Bee, Flight of the Conchords, Sia, is now promoting his own band’s record, “I Know What You’re Up To” (Self Released).

After a brief intermission, the sprightly and breathy Sia popped onto stage with an elaborate light display of child-drawn neon flowers and black-light activated happy-face suits.  The Zero 7 singer & solo starlet was joined on stage by her daughter who was wearing a darling white dress and fingerless Madonna gloves.  Recorded or live, Sia’s signature sound is a perfectly pretty, KCRW, lounge.

PS: Just a heads up -- NO GUM ALLOWED AT THE EL REY!  It’s like Mrs. Abrams Science class all over again.  I had a most fascinating, pre-entry confiscation of my Orbitz (“Sweet Mint,” of course) by an otherwise affable bouncer who was very thorough with the flashlight, and cared deeply for the safety and longevity of the carpet.  “It’s not explosive,” I peeped.  He unsmilingly pointed to the trashcan.