Actors who move into music often have a very tough time proving their commitment and sincerity. But after two gold-selling albums and a solid reputation for stage-demolishing, microphone-shattering live performances, no one can deny Juliette Lewis is in it for the short-term.

Headlining the NME club night at a packed-out Koko with her new outfit the Romatiques is a poignant moment for Lewis. She tells a whooping crowd that the first ever London show she played was an NME-sponsored night where she was given the slightly insulting 7PM support slot, and wasn’t even granted a mention on the promotional flyers. “Now look at us!” she yells with obvious pride. Five years on she’s earned her spurs.

Water thrown on stage by an over zealous fan had Lewis slipping painfully onto her back minutes into the set, forcing her to disentangle half her outfit and take off shoes mid-song, but she handled this with an endearing humbleness and distinct lack of diva-ish behaviour, managing to make mild whiplash look sexy whilst maintaining perfect pitch.

The crowd were treated to some Licks-era classics, including the hit ‘Hot Lips’, and new material from the forthcoming album Terra Incognita was debuted to very enthusiastic response.

With considerable lung power and a raucous, bluesy voice that could move mountains, Lewis stopped having to prove herself some time ago. She can now be recognized as the exhilarating, natural talent she is.

Charlotte Richardson Andrews