Beverley Knight set for Wolverhampton hometown gig

Don't expect any diva-ish behaviour when Beverley Knight arrives in Wolverhampton for a home town gig at the city's Civic Hall.

She may have a really big tour bus, she might even spend an age doing her hair and her make-up and maybe, if she's really pushing the boat out, she'll be wearing pony skin platforms by Christian Louboutin. But that's about as far as she'll go.

Once the gig's finished, don't expect any wild all-night party. There won't be any home town celebrations from the girl who grew up dreaming of such nights – she'll be too busy thinking about the following night's gig, taking place in Nottingham.

Beverley's gig on Tuesday, November 22, follows the successful release of her latest release, Soul UK, in which she paid tribute to some of the artists who played a huge influence in her musical development.

The record, released in July, featured Soul II Soul, Jamiroquai, George Michael, Princess, Lewis Taylor and Jaki Graham, the Birmingham star whose success persuaded Beverley that her dream was worth pursuing.

Beverley says: "I wanted to reinterpret the songs of my youth, the stuff that I grew up on. Lots of people think soul is all about American music, but there's a whole generation of British soul artists who were hugely influential.

"I wanted to recognise their impact and find a way of playing tribute to them. I didn't want them to be forgotten."

Knight has reached the point in her career where she is able to pay such tributes. She's the matriarch of British soul, an internationally-important figure whose achievements include receiving an MBE, scoring hit singles like Greatest Day, Get Up!, Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Come As You Are.

She's a supporter of the Stop AIDS Campaign and Terrence Higgins Trust and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Wolverhampton. Her trophy cabinet bulges and she's received three MOBO Awards, as well as a Lifetime Achievement from the Urban Music Awards.

But for all of her success, and despite having lived for many years in London, her heart remains in Wolverhampton.

"I love being back here," she says. "London's been my home for a long time now, but Wolverhampton will always be my 'home'. It's where I'm from, it's my history, my roots."

Beverley expects the Civic Hall to be packed with friends and family on Tuesday: "I'll probably know half the audience," she says. Not that the presence of so many close contacts will impinge on her performance.

"You have to put on a show," she adds. "That's what the people want and that's what I'll deliver. You can't play to the crowd or do anything different just because it's your home town. The fans will have paid for their tickets and you have to go out there and perform."

The absence of red carpet treatment and champagne reception will be a blessing to Beverley come Tuesday.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," she says. "I love it, I can just be myself, just unwind."

For more details visit www.wolvescivic.co.uk

By Andy Richardson