CityLife

Gabrielle @ M.E.N Arena

EVERYONE was on a high at the Manchester Evening News Arena when Gabrielle strutted confidently into view to a rapturous welcome. A near sell-out crowd to see the Hackney-raised pop diva was assured well before England clinched a place in the World Cup quarter finals so it is safe to say the response was a genuine case of affection.

In fact, Gabrielle seemed taken aback by the considerable excitement she managed to generate and she wasn't about to waste what was there to be cultivated.

The first thing she did was ask for the Arena lights to be brought up so she could scrutinise the packed seats.

Her verdict: "I can't believe this. It's a bit scary," she said before breaking into Don't Need The Sun To Shine. Arriving on stage dominatrix-style wearing a long white coat and her characteristic black sunglasses, she was quick to plug into the party mood the crowd brought with them and get "a breeze going".

The evening having found its level of mutual admiration, her fervent following was in for a treat from a major talent who can do justice to everything from Motown classics to formulaic pop standards. Plus, her superstar credentials are all there to see: her brilliant voice with its alluring range, her anthemic hits, one of which was used in the movie Bridget Jones' Diary; she's shy, but glam; and her subtle treatment of love songs are moving despite her own harrowing experiences.

With strong backing vocals and an excellent band, the musicianship was wonderfully tight throughout, and with Gabrielle in such fine form they needed to be to match her infectious spontaneity. As she oozed professionalism it becomes obvious that Gabrielle could sing the alphabet and still deliver the goods.

She has a warmth, energy and a stage persona totally incongruous to her foreboding mono-eyed publicity shots. While different tunes will register varying levels of intimacy, her defiant If You Really Cared was so special it topped her showstopping hit Rise.

It had soul underscored by joy and suffering in equal measure. Her version of Dionne Warwick's classic Walk On By was superlative and her encore saver Dreams Can Come True said it all after 90 highly rewarding minutes for her fans.