Gig Review by Zak Edwards / Gig Photos by Bianca Barrett

The HMV Institute is fast becoming my favourite venue in the country’s second City. Not only is it a gloriously picturesque venue steeped in tradition and decadent grandeur of design, but it also has some blooming good acts on too – the most recent – Miss Lianne La Havas and her silky smooth vocal.

First the support – Rae Morris, who ‘props’ have to go out to for having the most beautiful hair witnessed by a singer at a gig. Ever!

I’d not heard of Miss Morris so was unsure what to expect. I have to say however I was more than pleasantly surprised. Vocally as well as visually not dissimilar to Edie Brickell of New Bohemians fame, she sauntered on stage with armed with nothing more than her electric piano and silky smooth voice – the perfect side kick to the upcoming La Havas and someone to keep an eye out for.

It’s hard not to like Lianne. Bursting on to stage with a Cheshire Cat like grin, she instantly went against the script by having a chat with the crowd instead of bursting into the first lines of ‘No Room for Doubt’ (recorded by Willie Mason in his Brooklyn home don’t you know!). Evidently ‘chuffed’ with the reaction of the supportive crowd she couldn’t help having a little natter!

Then on to the music and instant demonstration of why so much furore and fervour is being made about the Londoner. A hushed descended as she veritably crooned her first words demonstrating why she is being spoke about in the same breath as Adele and Michael Kiwanuka for amazing vocal ability. Mesmerising.

Obviously written about her ex-boyfriend the songstress requested some assistance from the audience for her next tune to help her “release some of her anger”. The crowd eagerly obliged and belted out ‘Forget’ time after time. The clue to the songs message is in the title.

Time for an uplift in tempo and the tremendously catchy ‘Is your Love Big Enough’. Splendid!

Then back to type with more hauntingly beautiful vocal and the mesmerising ‘Lost & Found’ – evidently another ode to her partner of yesteryear. Ironically it was this song which had all the couples in the room cuddling up close and sharing a cheeky kiss.

“This is my new single ‘Elusive’, written by Mr Scott Matthews” commented the singer and then went on to replicate a completely new version to the crooners signature song.

After professing how much she loved Brummie men, a quick photo of the crowd and then her parting gift ‘Age’ the lights came up and that was that. A fine evening enjoyed by audience and performer alike and another one to add to the book of ‘great gigs in Brum’.