A favourite of everyone from the Sunday Times to Prince (who’s apparently learning her songs), Lianne La Havas is hot stuff. Sharing a vibe with Jessie Ware, La Havas side-steps generic pop by placing straight-talking, modern soul into the mix. The honeyed vocals and slick multi-instrumental delivery showcased in her debut LP (Is Your Love Big Enough, 2012) include a duet with folk royalty, Willy Mason. The record has won La Havas a heavyweight fan base, Stevie Wonder and the forementioned Prince among them. Such admiration is well-earned; Lianne’s candid yet delicate storytelling thrills and inspires in equal measure. The pleasure of her live show lies in the contrasts; the gentle hum of her guitar chimes against a bold vocal intensity. It’s an intoxicating world to share.

Wed 10 Oct, HMV Ritz, Whitworth Street West, M1 5 NQ. Tel: 0161 236 3234, 7pm, £13, www.seetickets.com

Wed 10 Oct
Words:
Eden Keane
Published on:
Thu 4 Oct 2012