George Ezra, Brixton Academy, London

As George Ezra ambles on to the stage in front of a sold-out Brixton Academy, to his left, there’s a stack of brown leather suitcases with a mug perched on top. It’s as if he’s just rocked up, still on the four week European interrailing trip that inspired his Number One debut album, ‘Wanted On Voyage’. But he’s not a chancing musician at an open mic night. The word ‘Ezra’ illuminates the backdrop. Everyone is here to see him.

Backed up with a live band, ‘Cassy O’ opens the set, its folk-driven scuffle seeing the crowd bop subconsciously in unison. But, it’s the distinctive vocal that engages. Sounding as effortlessly resilient live as it does in the studio, its projection captures attention as other album favourites ‘Listen To The Man’, ‘Blame It On Me, and ‘Barcelona’ get an airing early set.

The band exit the stage, leaving Ezra to smoothly noodle through delicate renditions of ‘Over The Creek’ and ‘Leaving It Up To You’. With his humble demeanour, he’s a polite chap. Before launching into a cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Girl From The North Country’, he stops to make the point that he didn’t write the next song. Back with the band, a fun cover of Macy Gray’s ‘I Try’, creates one mass swaying sing-a-long – for the chorus anyway.

‘Spectacular Rival’ extends into a throbbing instrumental frenzy before ‘Budapest’ makes its much-anticipated arrival. It’s amazing how a breezy little ditty inspired by the Hungarian capital has captured the attention of so many. Its simplicity aligns with ‘Benjamin Twine’ and ‘Blind Man in Amsterdam’, which showcase Ezra’s talent of storytelling, still sounding magical in a large venue.

Though, where his voice can do gentle, it’s also capable of being a secret powerhouse. With slightly menacing lyrics, ‘Did You Hear The Rain’ begins with his confident warbles and ends the night defiantly. It’s clear Ezra’s brand of charming tales, animated by his distinguished voice and a folk/pop twang, has the capacity to both intrigue and unite an audience.