If last Sunday you opted for a night in front of the box watching Antiques Roadshow or another re-run of the tiresome Clarkson cavalcade, then you missed a very sweet teatime treat.

Irish singer Lisa Hannigan and her band of merry men came to the Zodiac room at the O2 Academy in Oxford - and three days on I am still smiling and humming along to her addictive lyrics.

Although Hannigan is known for her former collaboration with Damien Rice, she is quite rightly gathering her own following and it is very clear why.

With the crowd suitably warmed up by the diet version of the band Jupe, Hannigan, a large mushroom lamp and her band took to the josh stick fragranced stage.

Armed with a stoneware cup she took to the stage and filled the night with intoxicating smiles, thought provoking lyrics and a variety of musical instruments.

Hannigan is a quirky kind of a girl who you would want to spend time with, possibly at a knitting club. Her gestures and cheeky grin make you feel instantly warmed by her friendly nature. The guitarist looked like a fledgling version of the Northern Irish singer-song writer Duke Special; the drummer was one of the happiest in the world; and the band played musical chairs with the various instruments dotted about the stage, showing their adaptability and musical talents.

They played songs from Lisa's new album ‘Sea Sew’ and Air cover ‘Playground Love’ was slipped in too.

The friendly crowd listened intently. And apart from the band, all that could be heard was the unsticking of peoples shoes from the tacky floor; not a word was spoken as Hannigan perfomed.

Hannigan’s fame is gaining momentum.

Jools Holland cornered her on Tuesday night and the song she performed - ‘I don’t know’ - was proclaimed to be iTunes' single of the week; a feat not to be sniffed at.

An encore followed with a song that Hannigan proclaimed was her favourite; its haunting melody sending shivers down one's spine and tears to one's ducts.

The band joined her for the last song and the crowd went quietly home knowing they had witnessed a talented singer on the up.