Gig review: Lianne La Havas, Glasgow Oran Mor

Londoner Lianne La Havas has a stint as Paloma Faith’s backing singer on her CV, but her own solo career has taken off handsomely in the five years since she elected to learn guitar and write her own material in earnest, catching the ear of Gary Barlow, Bon Iver and Prince before she has even released an album.

Drawing softly on jazz and soul music as influences, the gamine La Havas is easy on the ear and the eye. Comparisons with the wispy Corinne Bailey Rae spring naturally from her mellow, accessible sound, the wistful romantic subject matter of her songs and the tasteful ache of her sweet, husky tone.

She can unleash the vocal runs when required, but equally recognised the power of a restrained delivery. Likewise, there was a quiet command in her stage presence and her fluent playing.

Her three-piece band by no means laid it on thick, though there was always the potential to become a supper club turn when faced with the soporific likes of her new single, Lost and Found, or encore ballad Gone.

There was far more fun to be had with the mischievous Age, about the pros and cons of dating older men, and, by the end of her brief set, she had won over the crowd so thoroughly with the autobiographical honesty of her lyrics that her offer to hang out after the show was greeted with as much enthusiasm as any of the songs.

Rating: ***