There’s a bit of a buzz about Anna Calvi. It’s the NME Radar Tour tonight, which showcases promising new acts, and she’s the headliner. Having also been included in the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll and having her self-titled debut album praised heavily by critics means there’s a sense of anticipation in the air.

Walking onto stage in her trademark red and black outfit, everything about Anna Calvi is impeccably smart and controlled. She launches into the first track on her self-titled debut album, First Rider to the Sea, which is a skilful guitar solo – she tells us later she’s hurt her arm (so can’t play as much as usual), but you wouldn’t be able to tell; her guitar abilities are incredibly impressive.

She then plays Suzanne and I, one of the highlights on her album. One thing that is incredibly clear from the moment she starts to sing is what an incredibly powerful voice she has; it is flawlessly smooth and strong. It brings to mind a To Bring You My Love-era PJ Harvey, with a trace of Siouxie Sioux. But there are more than a few influences at work here; Calvi manages to bring a variety of musical genres together – both new and old – and make them work.

Calvi follows with Blackout and then I’ll Be Your Man, some of her best songs, which work especially well live. The rest of the set covers a large part of the record, and she also weaves in two covers – one of Elvis song Surrender mid-set, and in her encore a version of Edith Piaf’s Jezebel. Both give a nice unique take on the tracks, but given the set was rather short it would have been nice to have a few more songs from the album rather than covers.

It’s a shame it’s a rather stunted set at only forty minutes long, but it manages to be a fine, captivating one nonetheless – Calvi’s dramatic music and distinct vocals are definitely best enjoyed live.