Seraphina Lotkhamnga on October 25th, 2014

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While most pop singers go for over-the-top sex appeal, flashy sets and costume changes, 30-year-old British singer Jessie Ware opts for a fashionable, loose black pant suit and a simple pony tail. Ware, who just released her sophomore effort “Tough Love” on Island Records, has never been one for excess, and her intimate, lottery ticket-only show Thursday night at the historic Tower Theater in downtown Los Angeles was yet another way the rising queen of quiet storm kept things classy. At the 800-capacity venue, playing her third show in the City of Angels, the soul chanteuse (whom some have begun to call the “cool Adele”) laid bare all her emotions, dispensing one love song after another in her smoky voice.

• ||| Photos by David Benjamin

With just the first drum bang of “Running” – the song that catapulted Ware’s career – a sea of cell phones shot up hoping to capture the singer in an outfit that would put “Scandal” star Kerry Washington to shame. Other songs from Ware’s debut “Devotion” (“If You’re Never Gonna Move,” formerly known as “110%,” “Sweet Talk,” “Wildest Moments”) popped up in the setlist, but there was a purpose to night. Before going into the title track of the new record, Ware – who at times was barely audible because of the constant, hysterical cheering and screams of “I love you, Jessie!” – shared, “This is a live listening party for the new album. I hope you enjoy it!”

Ware continued to thank her fans for entering the lottery to attend: “It’s been nice doing these small shows. It’s kind of like ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’!” She went on to find a fan who had tweeted her about attending the show alone, made sure to point out her biggest and most enthusiastic fist-pumping fan and warned others to “watch out!” Bubbly, interactive but still poised, Ware conducted the show with a warm enthusiasm. Tasteful dance moves, vocal riffs and belted smoky notes demonstrated Ware’s talent was natural. Opening up and making wisecracks about herself, Ware welcomed her fans into the next chapter of her career and even a bit into her personal life: “This is a song about my now-husband,” the recently married singer shared about her high school sweetheart before going into “You and I (Forever),” which she co-wrote with with R&B crooner Miguel. “[It] took him a while to put a ring on it.”

Grabbing the hands of delirious fans and two-stepping it with her band during “Sweet Talk,” Ware maintained a genuine flow even when the lights went dramatically dark before she performed the new album’s closing track “Desire.” She even took time out before the sensual “Kind Of…Sometimes…Maybe” to give her drummer a birthday surprise – she recruited the crowd for “Happy Birthday,” and her bandmate was presented with a candle-topped cake.

To follow up her passionate performance of “Pieces” (co-written with Jimmy Napier, who is known for Sam Smith’s smash hit “Stay With Me”), Ware brought David Okumu (of the Invisibles) to help her with “Sweet Song,” a tune they wrote together. Okumu co-wrote and produced Ware’s “Devotion,” and Ware was not shy about showing her gratitude as he stayed on stage for the Dev Hynes collaboration “Want Your Feeling.”

Ware saved her most anthemic songs for last. “Wildest Moments” produced a massive singalong and augured a tender ending with the gospel-rock ballad “Say You Love Me,” a tune she wrote with the U.K.’s favorite redhead, Ed Sheeran.

“Tough Love” may have had a lending hand from renowned producers such as Benny Blanco and BenZel (Blanco and Two Inch Punch), but all the seductive beats and smooth melodies wouldn’t be complete without Ware’s sophisticated delivery. When compared to other formulaic pop stars, Ware deserves those ear-splitting screams from the crowd. When she comes back around for another tour, there’s no doubt the hysterics will only get louder.