The mark of a great performer is the ability to rise above adversity - which is what North Aston singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore did at roots.net on Friday night, writes Tim Metcalfe.

It was the first night of the UK tour for Thea and her band, which includes virtuoso guitarist Nigel Stonier.

What you don't want on your first night of a tour is bad sound - but that's what she got. The sound man seemed more interested in chatting up girls at the back of the venue than sorting out feedback. It's bad news for the artist when technicians don't give them the respect they deserve. Thea battled gamely against the odds, which included a drum kit far too elaborately miked-up for the size of the venue - or for the abilities of the man on the mixing desk.

The quality of her songs, especially those from her new album, The Lipstick Conspiracies, shone through - and to her great credit Thea didn't show any signs of throwing a wobbly. Maybe she should have done . . .

Highlights of Thea's mature and well-balanced set for me were See If They Applaud - ironically apt in the circumstances she found herself in - and the ever so slightly vitriolic Generation Y. Thea's album is getting rave reviews in respected publications such as Q and Mojo, so expect to hear much more about this homegrown talent in the months to come. Maybe once they've been told Thea's the real deal in print those members of the audience who spent most of the night chatting through her set will sit up and actually listen.

Mention must be made of Nigel Stonier's impromptu support slot when the expected act failed to materialise.