ASIDE from his wan cover of John Lennon's Real Love from John Lewis's Christmas advert with Monty the lonesome CGI penguin last winter, Chichester singer-songwriter Tom Odell has kind of fallen off the radar since his number one debut, Long Way Down.
There has been the promise of a new album, ongoing talk of recording sessions, but no release plans on his website, which made the timing of his summer season of outdoor concerts, with Blackpool chanteuse Rae Morris in support, out of kilter with the record's progress.
In pop's quick turnover, this loss of momentum may explain the 2,000 turnout under a cloudy Dalby sky, whereas Friday's divinely southern Paloma Faith show and tonight's beautifully northern Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott double act have sold out.
Nevertheless, the golden-haired, silver-tongued posh piano man has retained his allure for the teen girls gathered at his feet, or as near as a barrier allows, and he has lost none of the precocity that had him winning the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award in early 2013 before releasing anything of note. Precocity that had him opening on a Thursday night with the new hit-in-waiting Friday Night and teasing the girls with "Do you want to come and sit on my piano?".
Fans enjoying Tom Odell's Dalby Forest concert
Electric as an eel on his piano stool, he puts you in mind of the Elton John of the 1970s, both in his balladry and ballsier blues and soul, with two backing singers et al, though he did come unstuck in a raucous mid-set jam, held together by ex-Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.
As much as half the 80-minute set was freshly minted, of which the witty confessional Parties – worthy of Neil Hannon's Divine Comedy – and the gorgeous Constellations were the cream of Odell's second coming, where they complemented such peaks as the sublime Grow Old With Me and Another Love and the regular Nick Cave-style closer, Cruel.
Meanwhile, his exclusive Dalby premiere raised eyebrows with its unfinished line "Rubbing up against my...". Ooh, Prince would have loved that.
Apparently, it's called Concrete but unlike concrete, the restless Odell never settles. He didn't have time for an encore or even to say goodbye, but then he has only just said hello again.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here