Anna Calvi & The Heritage Orchestra, St John at Hackney Church

Anna Calvi cuts an imposing figure; with her impeccably coiffed hair and her signature red blouse, you could mistake her for the star of some 1940s film noir. She’s chosen her image well. Her well-crafted image perfectly complements the composure, theatricality and elegance of her spacious rock music. 
Calvi may only have released two albums, but both have been nominated for the Mercury prize. The Londoner first came to public attention in 2011 with her widely acclaimed self-titled debut. The album is a remarkable display of self-possession. The arrangements are tense and dramatic. Calvi plays the guitar masterfully, but what really shines through is her voice, which in its power and control bears similarities to forbears like Edith Piaf or Elvis. She returned in 2013 with One Breath, which deepened and developed the style she’d showcased on her first album. ‘Eliza’ and ‘Suddenly’ are rich with beguiling grandeur.
This year, Calvi released an EP of cover-versions entitled Strange Weather, which saw her reworking songs by five artists, ranging from current sensation FKA Twigs to 1970s synth-punks Suicide. Although its quality varies, the EP is well worth a listen, not least because it suggests a number of possible routes that Calvi’s music could take.
On December 13, Anna Calvi will be play a one-off gig at St John at Hackney Church. She’ll be joined by an orchestra as well as a selection of as yet unnamed collaborators. It’s worth remembering, then, that she’s worked with such greats as David Byrne, Marianne Faithfull and Brian Eno. This promises to be a genuinely unique performance.