Nothing makes us prouder than seeing the success of local artists on the big stage. The rise of Walsall’s Jorja Smith has been nothing short of meteoric. From working in Starbucks to a Mobo nomination in double quick time for the soulful teenager with talent to spare. Last years debut single ‘Blue Lights’ was spawned from a sample of Dizzee Rascal’s ‘Siren’ and evolved into an earnest and beautiful song about teenage ennui in a small town. Boredom and introspection has never sounded so beguiling. Jorja has been compared to Lauren Hill and Amy Winehouse, big vocal shoes to fill but she has the tools. Possessed of a maturity and a literate lyricism in advance of her tender years Jorja is going to be big. She played a beautifully low key gig at The Sunflower Lounge in December and if you were lucky enough to be there then treasure that moment, the venues are going to be getting bigger and bigger. Tickets for this show go on sale Friday 27 Jan at 9am so set your alarms as it will sell out.

Sat 1 Apr 7pm at O2 Academy 2, 16-18 Horse Fair, Birmingham B1 1DB Price TBA academymusicgroup