Hot night for Paris Motel

However, one made the effort as the church was the beautiful Actors' Church in the heart of Covent Garden and the event was a benefit for 8:59 Centrepoint, the charity that concentrates on vulnerable young people.

It was organised by Amy May - the leading light behind the highly recommended Paris Motel - who had, somehow, managed to cajole not just the artists, but an entire orchestra to give their services for free.

To begin, May conducted the orchestra through a collage of tracks from the artists performing that evening. Then she led her band through tracks from their first album and the new release 071, including the title track and a rather spooky Mr Splitfoot. I'm Onto You saw bass player Mike Smith rocking out in fine form.

She then bravely spent the rest of the evening conducting the orchestra - something that she had never done before rehearsals earlier that day!

Next up was Riley Briggs from the band Aferfeldy, who later admitted to being very nervous at playing in front of an orchestra. But he managed to overcome his fear to good effect.

Then came Martin Grech, who nearly stole the show by making full use of the orchestral arrangements, the echo in the church and the failing light to create an amazing atmosphere that will have many in the audience investigating his music further.

Ed Harcourt was probably the performer that most people had come to see. But I felt that his piano playing tended to overwhelm the orchestra.

Hal were the headliners and the sight of their drummer Steve Hogan grinning from ear to ear perfectly summed up the evening. To be able to perform with a full orchestra is a dream of most musicians and he was living the dream.

Stunningly beautiful harmonies and divine tunes were taken to another level by the sympathetic orchestration. Sadly, they could only play four songs and, indeed, it was a shame that all the artists could not have played for longer.

The orchestra received a deserved standing ovation and special mention should be made of Steve Gibson on percussion. However, the real star was Amy May. Given the way that her career is shaping up, she is clearly someone to keep an eye on.

RICHARD HILTON