Last night I arrived at a heaving venue called The Lexington in Islington to see the launch party gig by the talented Kyla La Grange. It was such a popular event that there was a queue downstairs of people waiting to get in with the lady on the door enforcing a ‘one in one out’ policy. As I checked my name when I arrived she told me I was ‘priority’, to which I replied “Way to boost my ego!” She let me through, I attracted many a glare as I walked passed the queue… I just about managed to be mature enough not to stick my tongue out.

Inside the venue was rammed and bloody hot! The first thing I noticed was the stage design consisting of leaves, vines and trees. Then I noticed Kyla with her distinctive stage presence and style – she had some epic hair going on! When the band played and Kyla sang, the room was still and when each song finished the room erupted and she would politely thank them.

I was trying to figure out who her voice reminded me of, it was hard to place but I heard a little of Kate Bush coming through every now and again. Kyla is an intense performer, her eyes would intensely search the crowd and it matched perfectly with the epic climactic songs.

Part way through her set I got sandwiched between music industry people (you know the kind) who seemed like they were enjoying the set, but possibly more interested in talking with each other. That’s when fellow musician Ellie Goulding walked in and they swarmed! No it wasn’t that bad, it was actually really nice to see a musician of Ellie’s level coming to support artists who are starting out. A friend of mine informed me that Kyla opened for Ellie at SXSW this year.

It was a good gig and I can definitely see Kyla La Grange becoming more well known in the next few months, she has something different and subtly unpredictable about her.