Nerina Pallot

EMMA LEE

Norwich Arts Centre

Singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot showed why she has been tipped for great things when she played a sold-out show at Norwich Arts Centre last night.

The opening band, Breaks Co-op, brought a much-needed splash of summer to the venue.

Mixing folky guitars, sweet vocal harmonies, samples and random shouting, they were a lot of fun and are sure to be a hit on the summer festival circuit.

Nerina was showcasing tracks from her second album, Fires, and it was a treat to see so many talented musicians on stage at once.

Tori Amos has been named among her influences and that could definitely be heard on the dramatic piano-led numbers.

Backed by a string quartet, it was pop with a sophisticated edge.

Highlights of her set included a cover version of Confide in Me, by Kylie Minogue, and her most recent single Everybody's Gone to War.

Her voice was at times spine tingling - and she connected with the audience in between songs too, admitting she had been tempted by Norwich's shops when she was supposed to be on an economy drive. She also dedicated a song to a young fan who had never been to a gig before.

Judging from last night's performance she won't be playing venues this intimate for much longer.