I caught up with Emma Smith after her performance at Spice of Life

The Spice of Life was packed last night, with a queue of dozens of people who hadn't managed to get in, snaking their way right up into the top bar. You'll be pleased to know that I maintained decorum and resisted the urge to thumb my nose at them as I swanned past with my AAA pass, although I did feel rather smug. Anyway, The Spice of Life is a great venue, really intimate but with a fantastically friendly atmosphere. Although I arrived on my own and didn't know anyone there, I'd made several friends by the end of the night!

Opening the night was Emma Smith, a student at the Royal Academy of Music. Emma is a really, really special talent. She has a beautiful sound and an incredible palette of timbres, punctuated by impeccable diction. Much as it pains me to admit it, her version of Lionel Bart's Where is Love? actually brought a tear to my eye. And as if that wasn't enough, she's only 18 years old.

Listen to our conversation.