IN late October 2015 a young solo singer played support at another busy Friday night at Southampton’s The Joiners.

Nothing unusual so far, but fast forward not much more than a year and the same act is at the legendary BBC Maida Vale studios for Radio One’s Future Festival, a showcase for what will be some of the biggest new sounds of the year.

At The Joiners that autumnal night was Declan McKenna, then 16 and now heralded as one of the most exciting new song writers in Britain and already a veteran of many shows in the UK, America and Europe.

This month Declan is coming back to the south to The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth ( March 22) with a full band and his melodic music and sharp lyrics that challenge subjects like poverty in World Cup Brazil, the treatment of transgender teenagers and the actions of American right-wing news anchors.

Though the messages in songs like Isombard, Paracetamol and break through debut Brazil, are thoughtful, the tunes are still bouncing with plenty of energy and madness at gigs. Like his heroes Declan appreciates messages for and about his generation can go a lot further when wrapped up in an upbeat number.

“It’s cool to play a small part in getting young people interested in things happening in the world and right now there’s a lot happening in the world” he told me.

“The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Nina Simone wrote fantastic songs whose lyrics, whatever they were about, subversively rebelled against the powers that be. They’ve stood the test of time and that’s where a lot of my musical influence and inspiration comes from.

“If I can write a good tune and add some words with substance then that’s something really cool.”

Away from the music, there was a competitive edge on last month’s trip around Europe with Stockport indie kings Blossoms, as Declan, 18, explained.

“Playing FIFA on tour could be quite brutal; I’d go into a game thinking I’m good and then Blossoms and their crew would rinse me something like 9-1. The trouble is I’m the best on my bus, but it’s all different playing them, a travesty, probably the most competitive it can get.

“They are definitely Premier League, but I guess I’m still Championship. The only consolation is that I’ve a couple of tunes on FIFA so it helps resolve the situation if you lose a game and your music comes on afterwards.

“It’s been a really wicked, fun tour so far and great to be part of. European fans are slightly more reserved than here, but it’s been a really nice seeing people enjoying the set in places I’d never been to before.”

While Declan has been on the road things have been going well at home with latest single The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home being play-listed on Radio 1 and other national stations. It shows the Hertfordshire star at his harmonious best.

Arctic Monkeys and Depeche Mode producer James Ford is working on Declan’s now imminent debut album, but Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent winner is keeping his cards close to his chest about other details. Even Steve Lamacq couldn’t get more news when Declan appeared on his BBC 6 Music show before our chat.

“I’m staying tight-lipped about the title name, but I can say that we’re finalising art work and everything else that goes around an album, which I like to be involved with” said Declan. “For the show in Portsmouth, expect some great tunes, a lot of dancing and balloons. I’ve heard good things about The Wedgewood Rooms, I’m looking forward to it.”

Declan McKenna and his band play The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth on Wednesday March 22 with support from Orla Gartland. More at declanmcke