NASHVILLE-BASED, Americana hard working Lilly Hiatt singer-songwriter was joined by her band of John Condit (acoustic guitar, harmony vocals) and Robert Hudson (mandolin, percussion, electric guitar and harmony vocals) on her North East debut.

Such is the reaction to her recent album, Trinity Lane and general quality of her work I anticipate she is set to become more familiar with followers whose music straddle boundaries.

Looking like a rock chick, Hiatt was immediately into gear as she strummed her acoustic guitar alongside the band as she shared a little about her life and her time in the UK.

It isn’t surprising her material showed much grit as she spoke of going hard times, taking journeys down less than lucrative roads and of mistakes taken.

Daughter of famed singer-songwriter John Hiatt, Lilly has learned how to use the stage. With them keen to give the audience good value it was an evening when the clock meant little.

Each song was like another page in her adult life as she shared emotions of the night David Bowie died, breakups, her relationship with her father (Imposter) and arguably her finest piece of the night I Wanna Go Home. Written about a night in Denver when she got high, and of the things missed due to becoming wasted.

Backed, superbly by Condit (a fine player) and Hudson (wonderful at filling in the gaps) Hiatt’s honesty had her live the songs.

Like on her intimate recent album, Trinity Lane the musicians ensured the music was tight and handmade.

Watching her on stage, like with her father she becomes completely engrossed with the stories. To the degree her face showed every jolt and moment of joy, and the fact she’s on stage with friends she can count on Lilly Hiatt is the real deal.

I expect her to continue to improve, and through time learn to vary the tone of her work a little more.

Maurice Hope