Beth Orton, Southampton Guildhall

THERE'S no denying that Beth Orton is a talented singer/songwriter, blessed with a stunning voice.

But background music is background music and however beautiful her songs are they're not the kind of thing you want to stand up for an hour and a half to listen to.

The fact that most people are used to listening to Beth Orton while doing something else was proved at her gig at Southampton Guildhall by the fact that a good third of the audience were chatting at any one time, even during songs they cheered and applauded.

That said, the concert did pick up after the first half-hour or so, with Beth playing some more up beat numbers and crowd-pleasers including Ted's Waltz, God Song and Central Reservation.

But the venue just didn't do her justice.

This is music to be enjoyed in an intimate venue, sitting down with your friends, not standing in a hall struggling to see over other people's heads.