"IT'S getting a bit warm, isn’t it – I almost wore a jumper,” says George Ezra, as he moves on to the solo section of his hour-long set. Warm is an understatement in the sold-out Leeds Beckett University Union, where Ezra and his three-piece band rattle through an up-tempo gig as part of his first headline tour.

The chart-topping Ezra opens with a boisterous Cassy O, a rousing quickfire song built on strong strumming guitars, and his energetic performance continues through Listen To The Man into the high-profile Blame It On Me, a catchy number combining his retro influences with the modern radio-friendly three-minute rock track.

Ezra has natural stage presence and knows how to work the crowd. He tells how his album Wanted On Voyage was written while touring Europe by train, giving rise to the mellow song Barcelona, with its plaintive and intricate guitar riffs. Ezra’s music clearly appeals to a broad demographic, albeit skewed towards the younger side, as evidenced by the number of people watching through their smartphones.

The solo performances best exhibit what sets Ezra apart from other acoustic singer-songwriters of this generation. They bring out his rawest blues elements and showcase the distinctive throwback voice which is at odds with his 21 years. On Leaving It Up To You, he declares, "I normally have a choir on this one", which encourages a responsive crowd to make up the difference.

The band return for the grimy Spectacular Rival, where the slow, pounding beats, coupled with the lazy drawled vocals, are reminiscent of a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack until crashing guitars bring a raucous climax. Ezra draws the set to a close with the stately and stirring Breakaway and his biggest hit, Budapest, the pleading lyrics and rollicking melody accompanied by the ubiquitous camera phones.

A two-song encore parades a fun cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun before the ultra-bluesy intro of Did You Hear The Rain escalates into an energetic finish to send everyone home on a high.

- Chris Way