Pete Murray

Firstly Pete Murray, an Australian singer song-writer with a voice like dark honey and a temperament of a slow summer's day that you never quite want to end.

Striking a lonely figure on stage he could easily have gotten lost in such a room, however he seemed to have the audience eating from the palm of his hand, pleasantly surprised and heartened at having found already a strong following in the UK.

This man has clearly been hurt at sometime, and has the ability many artists lack to convey those messages to an audience such that they can relate and understand exactly what he feels.

Using unpredictable melodies and riffs, flowing from graceful fingers which dance across the fretboard, his unique style uses his soulful whispering voice that seems ready to unleash a thunderous crack of emotion but rarely does.

Owing to artists like Nick Drake and Neil Young, this artist keeps bare sound at the very focal of his performance going straight for the emotional jugular. A warming and gentle support, well worth a delve through the darkest reaches of the record store.

David Mead

Next David Mead who has had his own fair share of success in this country, returning this time with just a cellist accompaniment complimenting his songs perfectly.

His style borrows from artists such as Paul Simon but mixed with his own inimitable charm and composure.

Using his full vocal range to great effect, he lavishes each song with a range of notes that just seems to fit; not in a Joni Mitchell kind of way you understand, but perfectly in-keeping with his music.

Sometimes jaunty, sometimes a splash of finger-picked notes falling gracefully over the audience, but always uplifting and passionately honest tapping your foot and encouraging soaring sing-a-long chorus'.

This new album, his third, sees another development of his style, bringing over his painfully insightful lyrics "maybe Martha was right when she said, beauty colours the face of the dead" rings his new single 'Beauty'…..he just makes you stop and think. Similarly to his predecessor on stage he shares real feelings in the most sincere of fashions, never once falling into artistic excess keeping music flowing and presentable.

Still playing old favourites such as 'Girl on the Roof' to a great reception, mixed with his new material he could quite happily have played all night. This music is not fashionable, it follows no trend, which makes it timeless - a record that can be played over and over again.

Bic Runga

On to New Zealander Bic Runga, who it would also seems has built herself up a loyal following though relatively unheard of in this country, back in New Zealand she has won a whole laundry basket of awards including various Tui awards (their equivalent of the Grammys) and the coveted Silver Scroll for her song-writing ability.

The questions is: would her music work in such a brash and often-merciless setting of the academy?

Bravely taking the stage solo with a guitar for the opening two songs she evidently has a delicate style that has succeeded in winning her such admiration.

Being joined by the band, it then seemed to lose something as she moved to the piano and the room lost her. Still we got this soaring and delicate voice accompanied by various styles ranging from a Morcheeba sultry but light-hearted feel; then to Portishead, soothing and drawn out melodies accompanied by a tamed beast and tight bundle of heavy bass and controlled guitar; then more significantly to a real country style hinting at her roots and making a discerning change to the type of music that could be anticipated.

It was a wonderful collection of sound that floated from the stage that wasn't going to set the room on fire but would keep it simmering after the high that had been reached by Pete and David.

She did perhaps lose a little from the stage she was on - however it was a good performance and made for a peaceful evening."