HAIR piled atop her head, wearing an orange and green floral dress and bathed in warm golden light, she could have been a 1960s folk singer.

This gig was the first time Jesca Hoop had played live with her new three-piece group.

She was supported by a restrained guitarist and drummer who were introduced so softly over loud cheering that their names were inaudible.

Two mobile phones ringing during her first song threw her slightly, as she sang softly with her eyes closed, but Hoop soon developed confidence.

Her voice soared over the crowd with rising intensity on Animal Kingdom Chaotic, with its strange, playful harmonies and contradictory refrains of “take back control” and “computer says no”.

Hoop’s unexpected discussion between songs included describing learning about Britain’s favourite view ahead of her Indefinite Leave to Remain test – Wastwater, apparently.

She also explained how the lullaby Hunting My Dress was inspired by losing her dress and tour van keys at a Glastonbury pyjama party.

The Coming united the sold-out crowd in wild applause as Hoop sang of Jesus resigning, reflecting on and refuting her parents’ strict Mormon beliefs.

“I refuse to think that my best friend’s going to Hell any more.”

Memories Are Now, the title track from her last album, was another powerful declaration of self-confidence, with its pulsing bass and slightly uneven shifting rhythms.

Her lyrics on the regretful Pegasi brought in astronomy, a dying star and a doomed fairytale quest, complicating the sweetness of her sound with her breathy vocals interrupted only by coughing and apologising for the frog in her throat.

It was only during her solo acapella encore, Storms Make Grey the Sea, that Hoop seemed completely relaxed at last.

She flung her arms wide to amplify her stage presence like a jazz singer and finally burst into joyful laughter.