When I go to a concert featuring an established star I am always curious to see the support act that makes up the evening's entertainment, sometimes it's a bit painful but often it reaps significant rewards. In the case of Wallis Bird, the charming Irish songstress who performed on the bill with singing sensation Gabrielle at the New Theatre I was not disappointed. Her style is very different to the main attraction, more along the lines of KT Tunstall, but her lively, acoustically-based, songs were charming and exciting. I think it will not be long before she is a headliner too.

Gabrielle, of course, is an established star. But for all that she is no grand dame' - just an honest-to-goodness hard working singer. Her set lasted for an hour and a half, and delighted fans with a selection of some of her greatest hits from the past with a taster of the songs from her new album Always.

Anthems such as Out of Reach and Rise soon had people dancing along, and for her finale Dreams was received with ecstatic pleasure and a standing ovation by the listeners. But by this point almost everyone in the theatre was on their feet already! The new songs were equally enjoyable and the new album should prove very popular. Particular favourites for me were I Remember and Every Little Teardrop. But all her new work proved that Gabrielle's talent burns as brightly as ever.

Something new about the chart-topper that I learned from this show was the generous nature of her as a performer. Her interaction with the audience, who she seemed to genuinely welcome, was a joy to behold. She was also big-hearted in her appreciation of the backing band and singers - in fact they seemed to be one big happy family. Quite right too as their expertise had certainly contributed to making the evening very special and accomplished. In fact it seemed to me that it was a good time had by all!