It’s only five past six (pm) when a slightly Gollum-like cameraman instructs the way-too-timid crowd to “move it, move it, move it”.

He’s not doing a Reel 2 Reel impression though. Na-ah. He’s ordering us plebs to part left and right, creating a divide that leaves the center of St Paul’s newly Ikea-d floor totally empty. It’s the best act of God this reviewer has witnessed since Moses parted the Red Sea, not least because Camden’s own demonic disciple is now triumphantly making her way through the swell of still-too-timid hands. As Amy Winehouse reaches the stage, the Vodaphone staff dotted around the venue breathe a collected sigh of relief – things have gone to plan. Filming for the first gig of Channel 4s TBA series can now begin.

Slinking and shimmying her way through most of last years (Brit-winning) album Back To Black, one thing about the Winehouse live experience soon becomes clear: her backing band are shit–hot. She’s flanked either side by a bunch of capable muso’s who not only look the part (Dior suits) but also sound it too. It’s this built-in security that stops the gig – and its main protagonist – from going off the rails. Think she’s missed the intro to ‘Addicted’? Well, she has. But that’s ok because the players here are skilled enough to let their singer catch up without the whole thing falling apart.

It’s this voyeuristic streak that is most appealing about Winehouse. You’re half expecting her to fall over, or walk offstage mid-song. So when she doesn’t – instead churning out a performance that should (and probably would) make  Ronnie Spector freak out – it leaves you way more impressed.

While this evenings biggest cheers are saved for new single ‘Back To Black’, ‘Rehab’ and ‘Me & Mr Jones’, a fantastically busy cover of Toots & The Maytals ‘Monkey Man’ seems sadly lost on the audience. Equally, the backdrop of a massive (hopefully authentic) church window seems oddly out of place – until, that is, the lights go up and the band kick into full swing. At that point, it’s difficult to imagine you’re anywhere but in the presence of something truly great.