Staff Editor on April 1st, 2019

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Donna Missal came out swinging — vocally and physically — on Friday night at the El Rey Theatre, a sold-out date that followed last September’s headlining show at the Troubadour and November’s stellar opening set at the Fonda Theatre.

The big attractions were the songs on her debut album “This Time,” released last fall. What bonded the crowd were her messages of empowerment, self-love and hope … all of which started early with the crowd belting the lyrics to 4 Non Blondes’ 1992 hit “What’s Up?” as it blared over the P.A.

Missal took the stage with power stances and a voice to match. She also showed her soft side throughout the night, describing her own struggles with self-love. She said she had a need to see herself as capable and worthy of a music career — emotions that influenced her album. She also described the pressures traditionally put on women, that she felt past her prime at 28 years old in the pop world. Between uplifting songs, she encouraged her fans to throw those standards out and not pay attention to the beauty industry selling things. After she closed her exuberant set, she returned to deliver a fun cover of Avril Lavigne’s “ Complicated,” which led to the biggest sing-along of the night.

Opening the night was Samia.

Photos by ZB Images