Laura Marling at RAH

Saturday night and I'm heading to the Albert Hall to watch Laura Marling in concert. The building looks spectacular as I approach it. The facade has been cleaned and it looks every inch a London landmark. On the inside of the building are a number of photos,prints and displays that reveal the history of the building and the variety of events it has staged over the past century or more.

Over the years I've been there for a number of concerts and sporting events. After a bit of memory jogging I remember back to my first visit to see Chicago Transit Authority in concert in 1969 ( still have the album, must play it sometime). I take my place in the stalls which now benefit from swivell chairs. Tonight's concert will be in the round, which allows a fair few people to stand around the stage.

It's the 3rd time that I've seen Laura Marling in the last year. I admit that I really only became familiar with her work following the release of her 3rd album, A Creature I don't know. . Tonight is in many ways both a homecoming and a coming of age. She's toured the world behind the album, that tour is officially ending tonight. As far as the Uk goes, the Albert Hall is a step up in venue status, and reflects her growing popularity and importance.

On stage she rotates ensuring that each quarter of the audience see her from all angles. The sound seems a little astray in the opening numbers, the Albert Hall plays tricks and the acoustics have always been a tricky beast. Any doubts however are soon quashed as she performs a number of tracks from the "Creature" album. Midway through the opening set, the band leave the stage leaving Laura alone. Accompanied by just her acoustic guitar she performs the Cohenesque " Night after Night". It's a flawless performance that confirms just how much she has matured as a performer. The song itself always stuns me, I've constantly wondered how it could have been written by someone now in her early 20's.

At times she seems shy almost reclusive on stage, banter is kept to a minimum, but for two hours the audience are treated to the talents of one of the UK's most talented songwriter-performers. As usual there are no encores, Laura tells the audiance that this is the penultimate song, and if you want an encore treat the song after this as it. If you don't you can leave after this song. At the end the audience rise to offer a standing ovation, yes this was undoubtedly a "step up" and I now await the fourth album.