Beautiful, healing, monumental, and heavenly are just some of the words I’d use to describe Birmingham-born singer Laura Mvula, who played an intimate show at The Drake Underground last week. Her debut album, Sing to the Moon, was released just under a month ago and has already received international praise from the press. She has even been called “The voice of 2013” by the Evening Standard.

I arrived early for the show and had no idea what to expect. I was surprised to see a line forming (one-and-a-half hours before she was set to take stage) all the way up the winding stairwell into The Drake Lobby. And who was this crowd? It couldn’t be defined by any one subculture. Mostly over 30, cool haircuts, varying style, and just about every ethnicity that breathes in Toronto was represented. It was a refreshing scene, and everyone was there because they knew what I didn’t: Laura Mvula will never play a small venue like this in Toronto again.

Joined by six other band members, including her little sister on violin and brother on cello, the group could hardly fit on stage. Especially with an upright bass and harp. (Ooooh! A harp!) When Laura began the set with “Like The Morning Dew,” the packed crowd respectfully turned completely silent to listen to every word and hang on the vibrations of each note. It was magical.

I closed my eyes and imagined clouds parting as explorers spotted the first bit of land; I saw babies taking their first breath; I saw people running on a beach—where they were going, I have no idea. This is epic music made for the big screens. My friend Zoe describes Laura Mvula as perfect songs for Sunday mornings. To me, it’s the music played when something major is about to happen: a discovery, a celebration of life, the dawn of a new era. Hey Olympic committee, get on this for Sochi 2014. These songs were made for the world!

If you don’t believe me, take a listen on Rdio or check out this breathtaking video.