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 Lianne La Havas at Olympia Theatre, Dublin March 5th 2013

While most eyes were pried on Manchester on Tuesday evening, Old Trafford wasn’t the only venue to be witnessing a homecoming of sorts. Originally scheduled for October 15th, this evening reasserts Lianne’s trajectory in music ranks. The fact that she has come from a debut performance in the Sugar Club last March to a headline date at one of Dublin’s most favoured venues a mere seven months later (with an Academy headliner and Electric Picnic slot in between) is an incredible feat for any artist. While conscious of the size and stature of the Olympia Theatre and its ability to get the better of some artists, no one should have worried. After ninety minutes, the consensus was one of smiles and not contention.

Gavin James took to stage just after eight, to warm the crowd with a seven song set. With a Meteor choice nomination for song of the year, and a sold out Whelan’s headliner it is easy to see why this lad is making noise of late. He delivers charisma and charm onstage without having to hide behind it. His vocal range and guitar playing speak volumes, and are evident while delivering songs from his debut EP ‘Say Hello’. His engagement with the audience particularly Story Of A Lonely Heart leaves throes of enthusiasm from a respectful audience.  Considering a certain unknown band by the name of Kodaline opened for Lianne’s debut Sugar Club show last year, a coveted support slot tonight was an ideal introduction and can be nothing but a good omen for the young Dubliner.

Elusive is the current single from the London soul singer, and from the beginning she was everything but. She strolled comfortably on stage, dressed elegantly in a black dress and gold wedges. Her look would match her sound, flawless. Alone on stage, with a piano intro she began the delicate No Room For Doubt to a mostly inaudible audience. La Havas carried herself with ease as she looped between verses and this effortless serenity was obvious to the mother and sons, older lone gent sporting a cowboy hat, students sipping warm pints, and the couples in their mid-twenties, all unified in Tuesday night escapism.

It was apparent that the question ‘Dublin, is your love big enough?’ had the desired response. The title track of her Mercury nominated debut album, and stomping her gold wedges in sync with her four piece band, the crowd competed for affection. Relaying the chorus back with exuberance, she boasted of how it was ‘Music to my ears.’  Already she had justified how she could transition between mellower mid tempo numbers, to those that saw a synergy erupt. Sipping between water and a beer an initial vocal from Gone was met with applause as she went on to stun the crowd. Forget and Lost And Found showcased exactly how she could govern a crowd, and the scope of emotions felt. The latter was a particular highlight and the sentiment of raw vulnerability the song echoes was felt by even the most hardened male.

When an encore ensued, there was belief about Lianne professing that ‘This doesn’t happen every night’. Her range showcased her full technicality vocally, and those who weren’t singing were most likely smiling. Finishing with Age, she filled the Olympia with airy vocals and illustrated a genuine fondness for Dublin and its crowd, as she sang her final line of the night ‘Dublin you retrieved my long-lost soul’. Effortlessly plucking riffs throughout the night, she did a particular justice to the Radiohead song Anyone Can Play Guitar and stuck a charming cover of the bands song Weird Fish/Arpeggi in for good measure. The flight of credible female songstress continues, tonight is emblematic of that.

Lianne La Havas Photo Gallery

Photos: Ian Keegan