Laura Mvula at the Tia Maria Music Room

Laura Mvula is the singer with the incredible soul voice. Easily compared with the likes of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, Mvula has the same god-given natural soul about her – but she is so much more than that. A classically trained musician, Laura Mvula graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire and has pursued her own style and substance in an industry saturated with female singer-songwriters. Mvula rises above the recent retro trend and has garnered attention for her songwriting talent as well as her striking image.

In an exclusive evening at Soho’s Century Club, the Tia Maria Music Room showcases Mvula’s unique and wonderful talent. The venue is classy and intimate, a perfect setting for her beguiling and uncompromising voice. All red velvet and cocktails, the expectation is set for something very special, which Mvula definitely delivers.

Laura Mvula takes to the stage in a striking outfit, the fluffiest jumper ever worn! She begins with album track Like the Morning Dew and the audience is mesmerised. Her flawless vocals fill the tiny venue, backed by a five-piece band including her brother and sister. The band are unfaltering and slick. Mvula, behind her red Wurlitizer keyboard, is breathtaking.

The singer plays on through a tough crowd (most of whom are sidetracked by the free cocktails) and she wins over many. Her dedication to her performance is admirable, and she seems unaware of how faultless her show is. She is an artist who performs from her heart and soul, lost in the music she has created, heartfelt and earnest. She is a world class single and Green Garden couldn’t fail to start a shimmy. The overall effect is understated and brilliant.

Mvula clearly stands a head and shoulders above the singer-songwriters out this year with her raw emotion, beautifully crafted music and humility. Live, she is spectacular and inspiring. On her headline tour later this year she will win over the hearts of many people. Everyone who witnessed tonight will be booking tickets: Laura Mvula is the real deal.

Martin Broadley

For further information and future events visit Laura Mvula’s website here.

Watch the video for That’s Alright here: