Summer Sessions Edinburgh: Paloma Faith @ Ross Bandstand, 17 Aug

Prior to this evening, British country-pop duo Ward Thomas, fronted by twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas, have already played a couple of dates this year with Paloma Faith (Kent and Gloucestershire in June) before arriving at Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens tonight to perform as part of the Edinburgh Summer Sessions.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, Ward Thomas premiere exclusive material from their upcoming third album Restless Minds, due for release in October. The pair really seize their chance to perform in front of an enthusiastic live audience, delivering a highly polished performance and harmonising together beautifully as they encourage the audience to sing along to their cover of Zedd, Greys' The Middle. As the duo exit the stage to the high-powered outro from their latest single Lie Like Me, they're met with a rapturous applause.

The audience barely pauses for breath as Paloma Faith takes to the stage complete with backing dancers that move and sing with all the synchronicity of a 1960’s girl group. As the sun begins to set, the high winds pick up adding to the drama of the night; at times it even seems as though Faith is posing in front of a wind machine. Paloma Faith is a vision, effortlessly gliding across the stage dressed in a glamourous 1950s-style yellow two-piece with matching evening gloves and a striking head of hot pink hair. The staging reflects Faith’s background in theatre, made from holographic materials, like an arctic prism which props up her band.

Faith’s incredibly soulful voice carries right to the back of the Gardens as she sings old favourites including the emotive single Only Love Can Hurt Like This, as well as newer material which focuses on toxic masculinity and negative self-image. Faith is fun and inspiring, with a heart and voice of pure spun gold she maintains a positive dialogue with the audience throughout the set. Using her unique and privileged position on stage to appeal to our social consciousness, it's clear that Paloma Faith has returned with an agenda – to promote a self-described ‘epidemic of kindness’ through her music.