Not far into her biggest show in London yet, Martha Wainwright began a new song, So Many Friends, that sums up the pleasant predicament in which the Canadian singersongwriter finds herself.

Having made a name as special guest to her numerous musical chums, not to mention playing second fiddle to dad Loudon, mum Kate McGarrigle and fame-hungry brother Rufus, when she finally merited a spotlight all her own she filled it with her mates. It was obvious she was due a breakthrough when she sang briefly at Rufus Wainwright’s Judy Garland tribute concerts last year. She turned Stormy Weather into a hurricane of emotion.

After last week’s release of a marvellous second album, no one could steal the show from this consummate show-stealer. Beth Orton came close with powerfully deep vocals on her own Heart Of Soul and Shlomo’s beatboxing earned impressive applause, but Wainwright was at her finest with little accompaniment for her throaty, quivering voice.

Hearts Club Band was a beautifully fragile ballad, French torch song Dis, Quand Reviendras-Tu stunningly delivered. Catchiest track You Cheated Me might even become the hit that would enable her to ditch her friends for genuine fame, though this Wainwright would never forget where she came from.