It’s quite incredible. Zolani Mahola is minute - she can’t be more than four feet tall - but the South African lead singer of Freshlyground has a voice the size of a mountain range. Several mountain ranges, in fact.

Between belting out sweetly booming vocals Mahola moves quickly, almost frenetically, about the stage, occasionally breaking into a full-on dance routine with epic violinist Kyla-Rose Smith. The other seven members of her band, while only slightly less energetic (bit hard when you’re stuck behind a drum kit) are no less dedicated to rocking a show. And any band that can get the entire Barbican on its feet is worth paying attention to.

Hip-hop band Tumi and the Volume gave a commendable and earthy performance to open up, but it was to a largely seated crowd. It was only when Freshlyground came on (kicking off with a superb instrumental intro) and delivered their easy-going, melodic African pop music did the crowd break out into wild dancing. ‘Things Have Changed’ and the sultry grooves of ‘Buttercup’ made sure that while it was hardly rocket science, it certainly wasn’t boring.

To call it populist would be correct, but would only be part of the story. Freshlyground aren’t clever; they aren’t deep or even particularly original. But what they lack in those aspects they make up in sheer showmanship. For make no mistake, this was an awe-inspiring, earth-shaking live show, more event than evening.

Rob Boffard