Lou Rhodes @Union Chapel

Lou Rhodes blessed Highbury's Union Chapel with a moving performance so apt for the surroundings that, at times, it seemed the angels themselves were listening intently. Having cancelled all other dates on the tour owing to the tragic death of her sister, this gig was destined to be unique.

Sitting in the ass-sore pews and staring at the ornate pulpit, it was difficult to imagine a venue quite this intimate, beautiful... or strange. To watch a gig in a church is like eating steak in front of a Vegan; a guilty pleasure. You're not quite sure how to react, so you hold it down - but its great nonetheless. As it happened this attentiveness played to her strength as a hypnotic vocalist.

The accomplished former Lamb singer has returned to her folk roots with her solo album 'Beloved One'. Beginning with 'Tremble' she glided on-stage, glowing in a stunning emerald dress, accompanied by a guitarist and a great percussionist. The palpable energy from the sad circumstances surrounding the gig were laid bare by a deeply personal interlude from Ms Rhodes, who exuded a strength and inner peace that could only be described as inspirational. Eye-watering stuff.

Her set gathered momentum as the crowd grew tranfixed by a mix of her solo tracks and those from her forthcoming album, consciously staying clear of her Lamb material. 'Why' echoed hypnotically round the Chapel's stunning acoustics. The menacing, rumbling switches of new track 'They Say' had my bass-loving hairs on end. Other tracks such as 'Greatness In A Speck Of Dust' suggested a fresh positivity in the new material. Perhaps inevitably the highlight was the opening bars of 'Gabriel', the classic Lamb track. As I looked around the spiritual setting there was a meeting of moment and music that was unreal. It was clear then that it would be hard to find a more moving gig all year.