Review: Ella Eyre @ Plug – Sheffield, October 9

I’VE had a lot of time for 20 year-old London singer Ella Eyre who is known for her big hair and even bigger vocals.

Her voice seemed to be the sound of 2013 after she featured on Rudimental’s number one smash hit Waiting All Night, which picked up best song at the Brit Awards this year.

It was a stormer of a song that dominated the festivals, and I also enjoyed her first solo effort If I Go – a gutsy, heart-break but up tempo dance track, a blend she seems to have made her own.

But I think what sealed the deal for me was when I found out she writes as well as sings, and the recent number one, Changing by Sigma and Paloma Faith, was actually down to Miss Eyre.

It’s been nice to see a female come through the ranks without the help of a TV talent show, and her rise to the top of the charts culminated in her being named runner up in the BBC’s Sound of 2014, only being piped to the post by Sam Smith.

So I expected a bigger crowd for her Plug show and thought it would be rammed full of freshers, but I found there was an eclectic mix of people – couples, middle-aged folk, students and young teens.

She bounded onto the stage in full hispter 90s retro uniform – trainers, tight high-waisted leggings and a Nike sports bra.

Her beautiful mane of big curls, and flawless complexion with a splash of pillar box red lipstick ensured all eyes were on her, and there was a nice cuteness to her, to begin with.

Her voice live is everything I hoped it would be – powerful and with an incredible range, I wanted to hear more acoustically as it’s been a while since I’ve been so blown away by a singer.

But Ella informed us she only has one ballad on her new album, and so it’s an energetic gig and would be the ideal Saturday night getting ready record.

She brings in a slower-paced version of Jermaine Stewart’s We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off, much to the delight of the crowd, and then flipped it into the pounding drum and bass sounds of If I Go.

As the set went on I felt there was an ‘eyre’ of Mean Girls about her, she’s like the cool girl at school who everyone wants to be, but is too scared to talk to.

There’s a touch of the Jessie J’s about her – ie, you know she’s super talented, but yet there’s something annoying about her and you find you just can’t warm to her.

My analogy was confirmed by her awkward and rude brush-off she gave some fans who were requesting something from her back catalogue, #cringe.

Maybe it’s the BRIT/brat school background, or maybe it’s just her immaturity.

I found the constant, pointless swearing annoying, and it seemed like she was trying to be too cool for school.

However, unlike Jessie J, there is hope for her as she’s only 20 and has time to shake off that chip on her shoulder.

I can see her being around for a long time, and think her Adele moment will come when she writes that huge, teary ballad and she cranks her vocals into fifth gear.