Joan Armatrading may have worn a black suit but she provided a colourful reminder as to why she has retained her position as one of Britain’s best loved singer songwriters, despite a fairly low public profile over recent years.

The veteran performer didn’t just take to the stage at Theatre Royal Brighton, she owned it.

A pared back if extensive set saw Armatrading appear alone on stage with a selection of guitars and her piano, treating us to some of her best known songs from the last four decades.

On the Brighton leg of her last major tour Armatrading created a unique memory for fans with a raft of classic track after classic track and a smattering of humorous addresses to her rightfully adoring audience.

A charming overview of her illustrious musical career with a slide show of photographs showing key moments for the singer over the years was a stroke of genius and a beautiful way of connecting with the audience even further.

Opening with 1972’s City Girl, Armatrading performed some of her best known songs including Drop The Pilot, Me Myself I and the ever wonderful Love And Affection.

Without the backing band she has traditionally toured with, Joan’s raw emotional power and poignant beauty shone through.

The singer finished with Willow, encouraging the audience to softly sing the last two choruses, which provided a moving tribute. A legend.