There’s a slight feeling in the air tonight that Tom Walker seems out of place here in Swansea’s Sin City. A great venue here in south-west Wales for hosting up-and-coming acts – but c’mon, this guy here has a number one album and was 2019’s Brit Awards Breakthrough Artist. Everybody at this sold-out event should count themselves lucky to be in attendance: this was surely a last chance saloon event to catch a show this intimate by an artist of this calibre.

Rearing to go after an tumultuous few years, Tom Walker is beaming as he takes to the stage, kicking off with Not Giving In. It seemed a perfect opportunity to air some new material, and the first such song of the night, Stigma, keeps the tempo going. As the Scottish singer-songwriter finishes the track, he takes a sip of his red wine on stage; in true Welsh fashion, the packed house encourage him to down his drink in one! He opts out, but says he’ll gladly down a pint of beer if one’s provided.

Something Beautiful gives us the first glimpse into Walker’s unbelievable soaring raspy vocal, the track goes down a storm – and, much to the delight of the crowd, he does indeed devours a pint of lager in one before killing a rendition of Just You And I. Angels follows, and then Serotonin, another new track.

Better Half Of Me – a tribute to the “love of his life”, who he will marry next year – sounds stunning, and as Wait For You rings out you realise just how many songs you actually know of Tom Walker’s. He has a formula nailed down, and nothing changes with new song Freaking Out. Another tribute to his fiancée, Universal Love, sounds as if it’s been on the radio for months if not years.

Walker and his able band take a well-earned breather, and when the eager crowd demand the Scot back he gladly obliges, draped in a Welsh flag. The set, just over an hour long, comes to a head with global hit Leave A Light On, gritty vocal again on point.

After spending a couple of days in Swansea, Tom Walker has nothing but good things to say and promises to be back to play in the city soon. Next time around he should be selling out the newly built Swansea Arena.

Sin City, Swansea, Wed 23 Mar

words OWEN SCOURFIELD