TORONTO -- "See, if you really piss me off, I'll write a really mellow song about you -- that's about as angry as I get."

So joked Dido during the first of two sold-out shows last night at the Hummingbird Centre after she trotted out the breakup tune, See You When You're 40.

It's as if the angelic-voiced and pretty British pop star, who sold 12 million copies of her first album, 1999's No Angel, and appears poised to do the same with last year's Life For Rent, is in on the joke.

She knows she's a zen-like creature by nature, which doesn't do her any favours as a live performer.

Much like the similarly sweet-voiced Jann Arden, Dido's funny and charming between songs, but when she stops to actually sing the material in that breathy, soft voice of hers, she becomes oddly less passionate and emotional.

Let's put it this way -- Dido could pick up a few tips from her lively and animated bass player Keith in the stage-presence department.

As it was, she often belted out mind-boggling, verging-on-alien-like big notes, but stayed firmly rooted to one spot.

It helped that she explained later she had a physical ailment, which may have led to her being so stationary.

"Sorry about the giggling. I apologize for my behaviour," said Dido. "I have to take a lot of pills for a back problem. If I fall over, I will get up again at some point."

Improving Dido's song delivery somewhat over the course of her hour-and-40-minute set was a slick dramatic lighting show and her talented five-piece band, who broke out occasiuonally to either play on their own at the front of the stage or play each other's instruments.

And the show did have a few genuine highlights, like the hits Here With Me aka The Theme From Roswell, Thank You -- known best as the song Eminem sampled for Stan -- and White Flag.

Also good was the aforementioned See You When You're 40, and more dance-oriented songs like Hunter, Take My Hand, and Sand In My Shoes, all of which had the audience on its feet.

JAM! Rating: 3 out of 5