Ane Brun Live Review

The date for tonight's show, 11/11/11, couldn't have been better selected for a set formed largely of tracks from Ane Brun's latest album It All Starts With One.

The Norwegian born, Swedish based, chanteuse's forth studio album is her most assured to date, and provided a strong opening run of tracks in These Days, One, Worship and Words.

Brun is a mesmerising performer, with a rich voice tempered with a plaintive, Dolly Parton like tremolo. Joined for this tour by the master magicians used on the album, including a pair of percussionist/drummers, Brun's band were equal to the wonders of her voice, filling the sound with perfectly poisoned xylophone, cello and flute alongside the more traditional bass, keyboards and backing vocals.

Helped by a simple but effectively dressed stage and warm and intimate lighting, Brun and band brought the crowd in to create an truly inclusive experience, even managing a beautiful sing-a-long moment during Oh Love.

Brun has always been magical live, but now seems to have acquired a certain boldness which she carries well. She seems to genuinely enjoy performing, giving her all with every number, dancing sensually around the stage and talking captivatingly if sparsely (due to a sore throat) between songs.

Recent single and tribal stomper Do You Remember closed the main set, with the packed, sold-out crown treated to a couple of encores before Brun ended with a brooding, twinkling take on Undertow.

In a world where Adele has the biggest selling album of the year, it's now surely time for Ane Brun's music to reach the audience it truly deserves - and judging by tonight's majestic performance she's certainly up to the task.

Gavin Cullen