Alela Diane at Shepherd's Bush

It's been a while coming, but last night I went to see Alela Diane at Shepherd's Bush Empire to promote her new album that came out earlier this year. I've seen Alela play three times now, firstly at the small club above a pub in Kilburn, The Luminaire, in 2007; then at the Roundhouse in 2008 for a gig in a curtained off part of the main space; and then last night at Shepherd's Bush, a proper rock venue in which The Luninaire club would fit on the stage with space to spare. It's nice to see her grow and move up the venues as she attracts a bigger audience and gains in status. The big change in Alela this time round is the lack of her flowing locks and floral frocks and a new short-haired, figure-hugging jeans and cowboy boots Alela has emerged. But she wasn't in rock chick mode, she was the same Alela as always.

I missed the first act but was there in time to see The Leisure Society, a seven-piece band that seemed to revolve around the two lads fronting it (they were the only one's to speak and, in any case had the same hair and skinny trousers). I couldn't quite decide if I liked them or not, although there were some nice sounding songs they sounded a bit over-produced and American. I think there's a new record coming out so I might experiment.

Alela came on stage without any fuss with her friend on backing vocals, picked up her guitar and started playing, unassuming as ever. Then her dad came on to join her playing guitar and sometimes vocals, and again, a couple of songs later, on came her bassist and drummer, and that's how they left at the end of the show again, gradually leaving the stage so we ended up with Alela and friend on their own again. That was nice. Alela smiled a lot but seemed a bit shy, leaving some of the talking to her hippy bassist (who, from the poses he pulled on stage, seemed to think he was in Funkadelic).

Alela's songs are gentle and thoughtful, simple chords and simple words, often repeating lines, very relaxing. I love her voice, there's no artiface there at all, what you see and hear is what you get, she opens her mouth and a wonderful sound emerges, powerful and natural. Favourite songs included 'To Be Still', 'Dry Grass And Shadows', 'The Rifle', 'The Elder Trees', 'Lady Divine', 'Tatted Lace' and the lovely 'White As Diamonds'. Her final song in the encore was a new song - a brave thing to do for an encore - that she's releasing on 10" vinyl with her friend in October.

For the third time now, I can say it's been a pleasure to see Alela and hear her play her gentle songs live. If you get the chance to see her then don't miss her. She said that last night was her 93rd gig since February and she's off to the Continent today so I don't know when she'll be back, but I aim to be there.