Kelsey Heng on February 2nd, 2014

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The El Rey Theatre was all aglow Friday night – painted glowing faces and hand-clutched glowsticks, all signaling the fact that Robert DeLong had come home. For those used to seeing this one-man-band in closer quarters,the secret has been let out. It’s been nearly a year since the release of “Just Movement,” and with a national tour now under his belt, it felt right to see this homecoming sold out. The set, filled with familiar album favorites, featured a new DeLong rework of Filter’s “Take a Picture.” Best surprises of the night were when the Mowgli’s joined the stage for some dance romping and a cameo by Natalie Nicoles during “Perfect.” There’s no one better to command a lively and colorful dance party while urging each smiling face to consider why each feels so heavy. So yes, as always, DeLong made another crowd “f*cking dance,” but let’s hope too those philosophical questions stay with us longer than that face paint.

Mystery Skulls, electro project of Luis Dubuc, opened the show giving a perfect taste of his upcoming album “Ghosts,” due next week.