Fresh from her success at the Brits and now with her first major arena tour, Paloma Faith’s popularity is currently at an all-time high.

At the sellout Brighton Centre gig there was no shortage of people shouting “We love you Paloma!” or jumping to their feet for the more up tempo numbers.

But I felt a perplexing sense of disconnection.

The performance somehow lacked soul - early on at least.

Perhaps this was down to the over-designed, shiny white set and its players all in black. Perhaps it was the uncomfortable-looking plastic dress and high heels Paloma strutted about in. Or perhaps it was the string of songs from earlier albums which were not as strong as recent hits.

When Paloma, sensing the slight lack of energy from the audience, stepped into the crowd during the classic track New York things palpably improved.

Her duet of Baby I Love You with Ty Taylor from strong support act Vintage Trouble was another highlight. But we could have done with more crowd pleasers earlier in the set.

The singer’s funny and endearing addresses to the audience, and soaring renditions of ballads such as Only Love Can Hurt Like This underlined her position as a current queen of pop, but the show might have been stronger with a bit more quirky style and colour.

She is an undeniably accomplished singer songwriter whose star deserves to rise even higher.