CityLife

Sacred date for the majestic Laura Marling

DELICATE BEAUTY: Marling

AND I quote: “Marling has turned in a remarkably accomplished debut,” said our own Paul Taylor about Laura Marling’s first long player, Alas I Cannot Swim, on release.

“With the noise about which one of Adele and Duffy may be the most bankable pop debutante of 2008, we may have overlooked an even more substantial and enduring prospect.”

Oh yes, CityLife is adopting a wide, satisfied smile about the trajectory that Marling’s career has taken since her Mercury Prize nomination made obscurity unthinkable at the tail end of last year.

Instead, the only way has been up for her delicate take on modern folk music.

And now, with her sophomore offering due for release in 2010, the delicate Hampshire chanteuse will road test tracks from it twice in Manchester before the year's out.

First up, she'll support cult hero Daniel Johnston on November 3, before returning under her own steam to play the Sacred Trinity Church in Salford on November 19.

The recent Noah & The Whale LP saw frontman Charlie Fink pour his heart out about his break-up with Laura, CityLife wonders if angelic-voiced star's new lyrics will muse over her side of things.

Laura Marling supports Daniel Johnston at the Great Hall on Tuesday, November 3 and then plays Sacred Trinity Church on Thursday, November 19. £12.50. Call 0871 2200 260.