Perhaps the best thing about relatively new artists – ‘up and coming’ or otherwise – is the guaranteed intimacy of their performances, before they go on to dominate venues that have the tendency to suck away this longed for aspect of live shows. And perhaps another great thing about such early gigs, is the prospect of stripped back performances without the pomp and display that distracts from the talent of the main attraction.

One such performance of the intimate and stripped back variety was that of Annie Drury at the Cockpit last week. Opening to a crowd in anticipation of the local singer’s talents, Drury demonstrated her prowess as both a musician and songwriter. ‘Some Day’, previously Q magazine’s ‘Track of the Week’, shone as a jubilant and impassioned ode to the weariness of every day life, whilst others, such as that dedicated to her younger sister, were both heartfelt and demonstrative of the singer’s exceptional vocal chords.

Traversing her way through a limited but quality catalogue of beautifully crafted and emotionally forthright songs Annie, with only her keyboard and fiddle-player to accompany her stellar vocals, proved that she is local talent at its finest.