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. After a beautifully low key gig at The Sunflower Lounge in December 2016, and if you were lucky enough to be there then treasure that moment, we predicted the venues would be be getting bigger and bigger. Now the BRITS Critics Choice winner is headlining the Academy.

Sat 13 Oct 7pm at O2 Academy, 16-18 Horse Fair, Birmingham B1 1DB Price £18.50 academymusicgroup