Electric Picnic: Laura Mvula - Voice of the Picnic

Laura Mvula: singing    soul, jazz, gospel, pop, as well as the blues. Photograph Tim P Whitby/Getty Images
Laura Mvula: singing soul, jazz, gospel, pop, as well as the blues. Photograph Tim P Whitby/Getty Images

So, who has the best voice at Electric Picnic? There are many contenders everywhere you turn and that’s before we come to the various amateur karaoke efforts around the various stages and the campsites.

For our money, though, Laura Mvula gets the nod. Those who appreciate the sweeping juxtaposition between soul, jazz, gospel, pop and the blues will already have sought out her and her 2013 album Sing to the Moon. Here's a singer with a magnificent voice who knows when to ramp up and turn down.

Live, she's got the musical poise to transform that material spot on. Her band, including her sister and brother, can add either subtlety or heft to her songs when the occasion demands it. There are neat flashes of Minnie Ripperton and Rotary Connection in there too, especially on She and Green Garden.

A Sunday afternoon swoon-along.

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In three(ish) words: Fab voice, big Afro.