GIG REVIEW: Kate Nash
- Posted on March 11, 2008 11:05 AM
- 2 comments
Kate Nash
Hammersmith Apollo, Monday 10th March
Review by Zarina Raja
Hammersmith Apollo was swarming with girls in their early teens that were dressed like Kate Nash, Beth Ditto or Natasha Khan; the make-up was layered on thick and so was the glitter. The crowd was a complete mix of teeny-boppers and their parents; with an average age of about 14, the atmosphere was excitable and pleasant. There was no sweat, no pushing, no shoving and no beer-sloshing but there was an inappropriate amount of screaming.
Kate Nash got a huge, annoyingly high-pitched shriek as she came on stage. Looking as lovely as ever, she quietly took her place at her keyboard and burst into a thunderous version of ‘Pumpkin Soup.’ Although ‘Pumpkin Soup’ is by far the worst Kate Nash song, you have got to hand it to the girl – she sure knows how to rock out at a keyboard. Red hair billowed under the flashing lights as her hands flew across the keys; she bounced up and down, belting out her vocals like her life depended on it.
An impressive start for Kate Nash continued through the next part of the set. She thanked the audience for coming and told them that it was ‘good to be home.’ She also revealed that it was her largest gig so far.
Kate Nash is Pop at it’s absolute finest; she writes her own songs, sings (in tune) and plays key instruments such as the keyboard and guitar. It is clear that she is the ideal role model for young girls and is a great way to kickstart a love of music. Forget Girls Aloud and their crass Pop tunes, binge-drinking antics and weak morals when it comes to men. You wouldn’t catch the feisty, flame-haired Nash taking back a cheating boyfriend would you? ‘I’d rather be with your friends mate, ‘cos they are much fitttaaaaaa.’ Yeah!
Her set took a slight dip as she proceeded to the front of the stage - guitar in hand – and performed a couple of her slower songs. Although they were good, the buzz in the Apollo lost its vibrant edge and people began to talk among themselves and mill around. This, however, was perhaps not the fault of Kate but of the poor sound quality which meant she was fighting to be heard.
Of course, this placid energy did not last long; Foundations got a rapturous response and had people bobbing, singing and yelping ‘you say that I must eat so many lemooons…’
Kate Nash impressed me – she has single-handedly given Pop somewhere to go; making it about the music, playing your own instrument and giving young girls inspiration to be more than part of an emaciated clan of wannabes.
Related Links
Buy Kate Nash tickets
Kate Nash MySpace
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Comments (2)
Stuart de Voil
I was at this gig, and being a 30 something male, felt initially as if I had made a VERY wrong move. However, as soon as some other 30 something people entered (don't worry, I was with my girl, therefore not a perv), I realised that Nash can belt it for ANYONE. Kate's newer stuff appears to show a very punky edge (possibly driven by her "too cool for school" bandmates), and will be an interesting topic for the "pop press" to handle. Yeah, the constant movement and hyperactivity of pubescent teenage girls was annoying, but at least they were excited about their heroine, not dreaming of heroin !! Finally, I feel REALLY sorry for those that went home before the encore, the exploding tickertape and awesome version of "Merry Happy" just finished the night perfectly. Viva la Nash !!!
Posted on March 11, 2008 10:20 PM
ray
Saw her April 19th in Philly. Terrible show. The sound was horrible; couldn't hear her voice and so, I heard the chords and the piano and the bass and every song is the same. If it wasn't for her lyrics, the shodiness of her compositions would be so apparent, noone would be paying any attention to this girl. I hope for her sakes that she matures, gets more skilled on her guitar and piano and more adventureous in her writing because, if not, by next year, she will be a complete unknown. Total Waste of Money.
Posted on April 21, 2008 7:44 PM
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