Lianne La Havas at Somerset House Summer Series

Lianne La Havas’ sublime song-writing talent cannot be disputed. Her debut album Is Your Love Big Enough? was named iTunes Album of the Year 2012, as well as being nominated for a Mercury Prize, and last year La Havas made the Top 15 of the BBC’s acclaimed Sound of 2012 list. Her unique brand of folk and soul mixed with a sumptuous vocal ensured a show full of delightful surprises at Somerset House.

Opening with No Room for Doubt, La Havas stood solo with her guitar, unguarded and utterly mesmerising. The song still sent shivers through the crowd even without Willy Mason’s ethereal presence, but it was her rendition of Gone that truly enchanted. After laughing off a humorous interruption from Big Ben, La Havas continued to sing a stripped-back, soulful version of her latest track, demonstrating an understanding of emotional timing by moving between quiet refrains and the powerful climax with natural grace.

Later joined by her band of four instrumentalists, adding depth with their chilling harmonies, the upbeat track Forget immediately stood out as a modern R‘n’B interpretation of La Havas’ usually classic sound. The inclusion of an unfinished song also kept the show fresh in a setlist of otherwise well-known hits.

Certainly seeming to have found her groove headlining this night’s Summer Series, La Havas delivered an uplifting finish by closing the night with Is Your Love Big Enough? The album’s title track was met with rapturous applause and screams from her avid fan base, faithfully singing along to the assertive lyrics. La Havas is hardly the fresh-faced youngster from her 2011 Later…with Jools Holland appearance, she has grown into a formidable performer full of easy confidence and sincerity, always guaranteeing a captivating live show.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Nazrene Hanif
Photos: Allie Suwanrumpha

For further information and future events visit Lianne La Havas’s website here.

Watch the video for Gone here: