From the size of the queue outside Komedia, it was clear something special was happening inside.

Alabama Shakes, fresh from a tour supporting Jack White, are the current toast of the alternative music crowd.

After forming in 2009, they have steadily been making a name for themselves. But things have really taken off since the White Stripes’ former frontman took them under his wing.

Word quickly spread, radio airtime followed and they now find themselves playing to a packed upstairs at Komedia – a venue they could have filled twice over.

The undoubted star of the show was lead singer Brittany Howard. With a voice remarkably similar to Janis Joplin, you almost didn’t notice the other three band members as she belted out song after song.

Best described as blues rock, there are also hints of soul, Americana and good old-fashioned rock and roll.

The band were tight and the sound was sharp. The crunching blues riffs and driving bass are nothing we haven’t heard from other groups over the past few years but Howard’s voice is. She effortlessly hit notes that most other singers could only dream of.

On the weaker songs, Howard’s voice got them over the line, and an instantly forgettable album track was all of a sudden a maybe single.

They certainly have some great songs but they are by no means the finished article. At this year’s Great Escape they showed us what they are capable of. Hopefully next year they will provide it.