Albert Hammond Jr wows a sold-out LA crowd

Albert Hammond, Jr. played to a sold-out crowd at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre last night (March 6), marking the Stateside release of his debut solo album, 'Yours To Keep'.

The Strokes guitarist-turned-frontman took the stage with a four-piece backing band, as Kraftwerk's 'Autobahn' blared from the speakers.

"How are you LA?" Hammond asked the packed house.

"It's so great to be at a gathering of people, music and chandeliers," he said pointing to the sparkling light fixtures in the old theatre.

Wearing a smart grey jacket and jeans, Hammond ran through album highlights including '101', 'Call An Ambulance', and 'Scared', as well as a cover of Frank Black's 'Old Black Dawning'.

Adoring fans screamed and sang along--apparently many had purchased the album as an import before yesterday's US release.

"So the record came out today--that's exciting," was all he said to commemoration the occasion.

Hammond's backing band delivered a tight, no-nonsense performance throughout the evening, with few indulgences such as extended jams or solos.

Wrapping up the set with 'Hard To Live In The City', Hammond did a backwards summersault on the stage in lieu of an encore to round off the evening.

Throughout the show, a beaming Albert Hammond Senior watched from the theatre balcony while his son performed.

"What can I say? He's my son and I think he's amazing--he's just got it," Hammond Sr told NME.COM.

"He's a good kid and I'm very proud. It's deja vu--like watching myself," said Hammond, who is a renowned singer-songwriter and co-founder of the British group, Family Dogg.

"I was recently looking through old magazine clippings -- it's incredible to see myself in NME, and now my son."

The set list was:

'In My Room'
'Everyone Gets A Star'
'Old Black Dawning'
'Call An Ambulance'
'In Transit'
'Holiday'
'Bright Young Thing'
'Blue Skies'
'101'
'Scared'
'Postal Blowfish'
'Hard To Live In The City'

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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