Review: Kate NASH Lights Up The Sky At Teragram Ballroom
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY JOEY POVINELLI ☆
KATE NASH DOES NOT STOP - Since age 16, Nash has been writing songs and was on tour only a few short years later. She has changed her sound, moved around the world, acted in a Netflix series, and wrote a musical, all while staying true to her vision. Now, touring the US for the first time in six years, Nash brought charisma and confessions to the Teregram Ballroom.
On the heels of her latest album 9 Sad Symphonies, Nash and her band brought the musical theater-style arrangments to vibrant new life with a classic four-piece setup (including Nash on one of two guitars). The show started with a complementary theatrical scene: mirroring the latest record’s aesthetic, her band (Boom Buratto on guitar, Emma Brooks on bass, Chrissy Lopez on drums) partook in a baroque tea time before Nash took the stage. Once the show kicked off, each member shined including drums going crazy on “Mouthwash” and regularly guitar shredding throughout. 9 Sad Symphonies was refreshing to hear stripped back and aggressive. “Misery” became anthemic with the new arrangement; real catharsis was felt in its chorus, “misery is out to get you.”
The band wore white shirts and ties while Kate sported a whimsical floral dress. Her playing was a highlight as she switched between acoustic and ripping electric guitars. It’s evident that Nash loves what she does and puts her all into each performance. She had boundless energy and seemed to be reciting each lyric as if they were coming off the top of her head in a direct, stream of consciousness.
Nash also told engaging stories like how adopting a dog in Echo Park led to the writing of “My Little Alien,” a high point of the show with the audience participating in the backing vocals and lights augmenting the chorus. Nash was a tornado of energy- jumping up and down; making direct eye contact with the audience while waving her hands as if caught in a passionate rant.
Live delivery allows Nash’s lyrics to shine even more than on a record. She is a poetry-first artist as her direct, witty observations are delivered in rapidfire. She’s also not afraid of ballads either, she included slowed-down observational tunes like 9 Sad Symphonies “ Space Odessy 2001” (which includes funny comments on the film’s length).
Her setlist had cuts from the entire catalog. She highlighted 2013’s garage/punk-inspired record, Girl Talk, with a blazing medley that featured “Cherry Pickin’,” “Death Proof,” and “Part Heart.” The audience seemed to know every song: the place was packed and singalongs erupted regularly.
Whatever’s next from Nash, one thing’s certain: you won’t find it from anyone else.
