"MESMERISING", "stunning", "exquistely ethereal"... Lisa Hannigan's performances never fail to attract a gushing flow of praise from usually hard-bitten reviewers.

Judge for yourself what all the excitement is about this Sunday, when this ridiculously acclaimed Irish singer arrives at the O2 Academy in Cowley Road as part of her 12-date UK tour.

The tour is Lisa's first since parting with Damien Rice’s band, and follows on from her sold-out show at London’s St Johns Church in December.

Lisa's chance meeting with singer-songwriter Rice led to a long period of collaboration and development that included Rice’s critically acclaimed albums O and 9.

When the collaboration came to an end after seven years, Lisa was left with a notebook of songs and the desire and confidence to put them onto a record - which she did - on her own label Hoop Recordings, achieving Platinum status in her native Emerald Isle.

The album has been nominated for both Best Irish Album at the Meteor Music Awards and the Choice Music Prize, and was awarded ‘Best Debut Album’, ‘Best Irish Album’, ‘Best Irish Track’ and ‘Best Female’ in the 2009 Hot Press Reader Poll.

The show will see her performing tracks from debut album Sea Sew, which was released last month.

And is it worth leaving the cosy comfort of your home for on a Sunday night?

Well, trust us, you'll kick yourself if you don't.

She is supported by Dublin’s Jape - winner of Ireland’s Choice Music Prize for his latest album Beirut, who will perform solo.

Tickets are £15 from www.gigsandtours.com or by calling 0871 220 260