However, the packed room suggests ordinary civilians are finally catching on. And not before time: Gilmore is a dream fusion of Lucinda Williams' songwriting expertise and Chrissie Hynde's crystalline vocals. At just 28, the Cheshire-based singer's grasp of imagery can be breathtaking, not least when she sets a scene in Avalanche: "3pm. Blue as a road sign, with a gag and some cheap wine."
Her songs confront depression and visit doomed characters such as Rosie, whose personality, Gilmore explains, "is a great place to visit but you wouldn't wanna live there". A stream of dark beauty is broken up by entertaining covers (Dead Or Alive's You Spin Me Round, delivered in a sultry style) and the banter with her guitarist-husband, Nigel Stonier. Comparing his new double harmonica set-up to the pompous double-necked guitars made infamous by prog rock, he reveals how fiasco struck once in Nottingham when he blew the wrong one. "Nobody noticed," deadpans his wife.
Then it is back to intensity, with Black Letter having the messianic feel of early Waterboys and Dance in New York a sure-fire hit - if it was not seven minutes long. Such is the way of giant talent, but it will be a travesty if she follows Bo Diddley and only makes the front pages when she is gone.
· At the Phoenix, Exeter, tonight. Box office: 01392 667080. Then touring.
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