The simplicity of the decor in the junction on entry, with a few of the famous Lucy Rose teabags and jams scattered across a pop up table could lead you to believe that tonight’s show would be lacking in effort. You’d be right. Lucy Rose personifies simple, effortless perfection. This is clear as the self-taught guitarist enters the stage in her most casual attire, with her four other band members. A welcome change from those artists who seem to be more about the set and outfits than the music.

As Lucy Rose plays out her gorgeously gentle songs that were recorded in her parents’ living room, it becomes apparent that this is a troubled heart. So much so that before she plays her fourth song, “All I’ve Got”, she hesitates, explaining that she had left this song out in previous gigs, in fear that it was too happy. You can tell she’s really enjoying herself all night though, as she constantly thanks the crowd after every song, and banters with her largest crowd outside of London, but this song sees a completely different side to the blissful vocalist, she can’t stop smiling throughout this one.

She doesn’t allow the glee to last long though, as next up is “Shiver”, her darkest song. This sudden change encapsulates this artist, whose album frequently switches between longing for a past love like in “Shiver”, and claiming she’s over him like in “Middle Of The Bed”, and whose songs regularly change in tempo, like in “Lines”. The difference cannot be missed, as she noticeably looks down. The flawless vocals “And if we turn back time, could we learn to live right” echo around the small venue. Next is “Night Bus”. The full despair doesn’t come across on the album as it does live, where you truly feel the pain of the song. However, all of this makes the encore all the more sweet. She notes that she wasn’t called out for an encore the night before in Nottingham, so she is very pleased by the chanting for more. “Don’t You Worry”, my personal favourite, stunningly reassures you that everything will be ok. A splendid conclusion.

Other than a very short-lived power cut, and stopping halfway through the intro to “Bikes” in fear that her guitar was out of tune, the show is faultless. Trough the evening Lucy Rose builds an intimate relationship with the capacity crowd. Responding to a heckler who calls for covers at the end of the performance, Lucy jokes “It means a lot… I think you’re at the wrong show”. She then waits behind at the end to sign t-shirts, posters, and get in photos. She jests that she’ll take any opportunity to have a chat with her fans, and she does too.  I for one am trying to catch her further down the line in this UK. I expect by the end of it, this sweet artist will be a household name. Lucy Rose has definitely surpassed her impressive role as Bombay Bicycle Club backing vocalist.

-Samuel Wilson