Schoolgirl with soul

Dressed in a simple pink top, she looked like an average suburban teenager and as she took the stage, giggling behind her hair, Stone seemed even younger than her 17 years. Her youth, looks and colour have undoubtedly given her a lot of publicity but as soon as she launched into her hit, Super Duper Love, it was clear she was no novelty act.

The power, range and strength of emotion she was able to inject into her performance were extraordinary by anyone's standards.

It was a deeply strange experience to hear such a smoky, soulful voice that speaks of decades of hard times coming from a girl who looks like her hardest experiences might have occurred while studying for her GCSEs in Devon.

As she belted out her new single You Had Me, a catchy rant against a drunk, druggy, abusive boyfriend, it was hard to believe that these heart-rending lyrics and vocals could be based on autobiography.

Although her age and looks made some of the content unconvincing, Stone and her band turned each song into a wellrounded performance. Her hip-hop hand gestures, subtly choreographed dance moves and impressive booty shake made her look like a smaller-bummed Shakira.

The skilful, enthusiastic band were a cohesive unit, not just a group of session musicians, and Stone interacted well with them, boosting her soul credentials by engaging in that ancient tradition of introducing each band member.

While she was actually singing, Stone seemed to own the place and the largely thirtysomething crowd agreed, cheering and whooping right through to her inevitable encore. But between songs, she was transformed from feisty soul diva back to shy schoolgirl.

Looking amazed and a little embarrassed by the effect her voice had on the audience, she giggled, stuttered and mumbled her way through the gaps between songs in a way which started out endearing and ended up irritating. And despite a crowd who clearly loved her, she lacked the confidence and authority to lead them effectively in an attempted singalong, which briefly created an awkward atmosphere.

But these are small points. In the age of Pop Idol and X Factor - an age in which so many singers are high on self-importance and low on talent - it was refreshing to see a hugely talented young star who clearly didn't think the world of herself.

Joss Stone