★★★

JOAN As Police Woman and Benjamin Lazar Davis – only one of those is a stage name by the way – was advertised as a double bill but this was really just a one-woman show.

On a cold November night, it took a while for the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter to warm up a slightly restless crowd but by the time she paired things down to just herself and a piano, the general hubbub ceased. 

The night was all the better for that because the lack of accompaniment allowed Joan’s impressive voice to dominate the room. She’s not the most powerful singer but has a range that switches effortlessly from a low growl to breathy falsetto.

Joan on her own turned out to be a highlight during a set that never quite got out of third gear. Even the bouncy pop of hit single Holy City seemed neutered and lacked the joyous pizzazz of the recorded version.

The night was redeemed, however, by a fantastic encore of Station, which built from just Joan and her guitarist to a joyous, proggy cacophony in which all four band members played their part. So, not quite a one-woman show after all.