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Live Music Review Dillon, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

DOMINIQUE DILLON de BYINGTON plays plaintive piano pop for the autumn season.

The Brazilian-born, Berlin-based, artist casts a demure presence as she slips out from behind a black curtain to sit at a single grand piano at the centre of the stage.

Uttering the odd quiet “thank you” in-between her bleak ballads, Dillon has a mournful beauty to her voice that is spellbinding to listen to.

The consummate pianist gives a run-down from her latest EP, When Breathing Feels Like Drowning, including RIP Beth, 1335 and Wicked Games, a cover of The Weekend.

And tonight's show honours the stripped-down feel of that release, given that she has previously toured with choirs and brass section, although this newfound intimacy is perfect in the wood-panelled auditorium of QEH's Purcell Room.

Fans will also enjoy piano-only versions from her brilliant debut This Silence Kills, including Tip Tapping, Your Flesh Against Mine and You Are My Winter.

At the end of her set Dillon stands briefly before sitting down again, explaining “this is the part where I'm supposed to leave, but I'm just going to stay,” in indignation of the proud encore tradition.

Dillon bashes out a couple more on the piano before rising with the mic to sing her last one out to the crowd, donned unusually in a baggy Rammstein jumper and red heeled shoes.

Excellent stuff, but at times you get the feeling that she's not much of a fan of performing live.

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