PALOMA Faith is not your run of the mill performer rolling on stage doing the deed and slipping away in a hurry 60 minutes later.

The powerhouse singer enjoys taking a break from her set, however accidental this break might be, and an impromptu chat – call it advice session/ life coaching. She never misses a chance to impart her pearls of wisdom on anything from the relative concept of age to setting to right an inaccurate review of a previous show from a rather humourless and literal journalist. All this with flights of self depreciation (“I’m pretty old for a pop star”).

She launched into her set without preamble allowing the crowds to leisurely stroll towards the stage packing up their collapsible chairs and dismantling their home from home camping showroom. After Take Me, which truly got the crowd going, she built to more funky tracks with The Good Life and another crowd pleaser, Stone Cold Sober.

When the first notes of Picking up the Pieces burst through the speakers she had little to do but listen subdued as the crowds took over shouting at the top of their lungs – even the impossibly high notes, which a diehard fan behind us attempted to emulate with some degree of success.

Suddenly realising she had skipped ahead slightly she double backed and resumed the original set list.

Energy suitably pumping and a healthy shuffling and side rocking taking over the crowds she promised more dance tunes and swiftly obliged with some belters including Only Love Can Hurt like This and the head-banging Can’t Rely On You.

Ready to take her leave she treated the crowds to one last hit, Changing, whose words even those of a more advanced age belted out with gusto. The age range (from five to what looked like close to 80) is testament to Paloma Faith’s genius blend of pop, funk, soul and jazz influences and were bouncing up and down.

Paloma is a true performer – theatrical, fun, with a strikingly soulful voice that cannot be contained. Its sheer force can only be experienced live.

— MARION SAUVEBOIS