An electric evening at Birmingham Symphony Hall saw acclaimed soul queen Beverley Knight push her gospel roots to the fore.

With a dazzling combination of sumptous lighting, a talented backing band and a laidback atmosphere, the normally stuffy Symphony Hall was transformed into a sizzling soul revue last night.

After following her backing band on to the stage just after 9pm the award-winning Wolverhampton-born singer told fans how glad she was to be back in the West Midlands, to rousing applause.

And soon the crowd in the near sold-out venue was on its feet and begging for more as she began belting out a string of her own hits mixed with some soul classics.

She kicked off with Ain’t That A Lot of Love before performing Every Time You See Me, Smile, After You, and Queen of Starting Over.

Favourites of the night included the amazing Take Another Little Piece of My Heart, Back to You, Sista Sista and the ever-popular Coulda Woulda Shoulda.

Beverley plays a homecoming gig at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on November 29. 

By Fiona McCartney.