Emeli Sandé, live at the Sugar Club

It’s safe to say that this time next year everyone will have heard of Emeli Sandé. Right now, she may have reached No. 1 in the UK charts (as featured artist on Professor Green’s single ‘Read All About It’) but her name has not quite yet reached the dizzy heights that it inevitably will achieve. But rest assured when her debut album Our Version of Events hits the shelves in April 2012, the Scottish songwriter is guaranteed to go supernova.

What makes us so sure? Well, last night at the Sugar Club pretty much sealed the deal for this reviewer. In her first ever Irish performance, the sold-out Dublin audience positively lapped up an acoustic set of songs from her forthcoming album. Accompanied by cello, guitar and percussion, the talented songstress received a rapturous applause as she took to the stage – her conservative pencil skirt get-up enjoyably thrown off kilter by her incredible shock of bleach blonde, half shaven hair.

Emeli made a strong start with her first single ‘Daddy’, her voice immediately filling the room with a vulnerable yet powerful tone. The emotion behind her delivery is truly incredible – second song ‘Suitcase’ being a perfect case in point. In fact, as she rattles through the complete new album (with the exception of ‘Maybe’ which is replaced by a cover of Coldplay’s ‘Every Teardrop is a Waterfall’) it soon becomes apparent that the record holds nothing in the way of weak songs.

Other highlights include ‘Breaking the Law’ – a track that has garnered attention from none other than Alicia Keys – and the soulful ‘Mountains’. The unbearably short set benefits most from her current single ‘Heaven’, which provides a passionate conclusion to the evening. Unfortunately, the young musician didn’t quite have enough material to provide an encore for the baying crowd, but she courteously met every fan (complete with photos and album signing) as they filtered out of the packed venue.

As we all stare tentatively ahead into next musical year, it’s a rare pleasure to witness an original artist on the cusp of huge success. Last night certainly provided her early Irish fans with an unforgettable performance that certified Emeli Sandé as one to watch in the New Year.