THE world of Daughter is a dark, emotional place haunted by past lovers and broken hearts.

So it’s no wonder I suspected their live show at the HMV Ritz could make or break a rainy Monday night in Manchester. Well reader, I’m pleased to say it made it.

Led by the shy yet enchanting Elena Tonra, the London-based trio’s debut album If You Leave spins a web of ethereal vocals and folk-tinged guitar.

And judging by the lyrics, whoever Tonra was writing about did ‘leave’, making way for a void of pain and bitterness – surely the best ingredients for great songwriting.

When the band take to stage, the crowd erupts with cheers and woops. These are clearly a band with a loyal following of fellow heart-broken fans.

But there’s no dancing at the Ritz tonight. Instead we’re marooned out in the chilling soundscape of Daughter’s beautiful music.

They open with ‘Still’ – one of their more stripped down songs from their debut where Tonra’s poetry about estranged lovers drift out to the audience – who are either rooted to the spot by the sticky dance floor or entranced by her stunning voice. I’ll go for the latter.

‘Winter’ is the stand-out song of the whole set. But this is not a winter filled with cosy knits and mugs of hot chocolate. This is a Russian style winter to, as Tonra sings, to "crush all of the things I once loved.”

Only with Human does the pace pick up with the pounding percussion and soaring guitar. It’s almost as though Tonra is trying to wake up from the slumber of pain.

You think she’s almost going to do it...until the final line: "I think I’m dying here."

It’s true, there’s no escape from the theme of death in Daughter’s music but the stunning vocals and guitar will leave you haunted in the most wonderful way. A brilliant live act.