Back in June, Kate Nash announced a UK and Europe tour in support of 9 Sad Symphonies – the singer songwriters fifth album, and first in six years. We were thrilled to attend her performance in Manchester at the newly restored New Century Hall, a vibrant venue that has been revitalised to continue its important role in the city’s live music scene for years to come.
Kate opened her set with the whimsical ‘Millions of Heartbeats’. Released just this past March, the track was met with the kind of response usually reserved for longtime fan favorites, making it the perfect choice to kick off the night. The acoustic-infused ‘Vampyre’ followed, during which Kate embraced her mischievous side, skipping across the stage while delivering some of her sharpest, most tongue-in-cheek lyrics; “the priest caught you in the church while you were having a wank.”
After taking us back to her debut studio album Made of Bricks with the melodic ‘Mouthwash’, Kate took a moment to address the crowd, explaining the reason behind her recent surge in media attention. Having turned to OnlyFans to fund her tour bus, Kate has used her platform and voice to shed light on the ongoing crisis in the music industry, drawing attention to the financial pressures and systemic challenges that are making it increasingly difficult for artists to sustain their careers.
Kate’s latest album is deeply rooted in the theme of finding hope amid despair, and while ‘Misery’ explores mental health with unflinching honesty, it also offered one of the most heartwarming moments of the night as Kate joined fans in the crowd. In a powerful display of connection, Kate invited everybody to sit before leading them in a synchronised jump, creating a unifying and uplifting experience for everyone.
Though she excels at piano pop hooks, they’re not where her talent lies and Kate delivered a triple-whammy of jarring rock with the blazing medley of ‘Cherry Pickin’’, ‘Death Proof’ and ‘All Talk’, followed by ‘Part Heart’. In a striking contrast, Kate seamlessly swapped her electric guitar for an acoustic to perform ‘I Hate Seagulls’. After a playful moment of misremembering the lyrics, she restarted the witty track, and the crowd eagerly hung on to every word, clearly enjoying the lighthearted slip-up. She then surprised everyone by slowing the tempo down further, following with the poignant and universally relatable ‘The Nicest Thing’, a heart-wrenching love song that struck a deep chord with the audience, leaving a lasting emotional impression.
Kate clearly takes immense pride in her latest album – and rightly so, especially given how powerful it sounds live. The hopeful, uplifting ‘Ray’, with its poignant lyrics about overcoming depression, radiated with emotion, while the infectious energy of ‘Wasteman’ had the entire crowd bouncing, as everyone celebrated embracing their power. Nearly two decades after breaking onto the scene, Kate remains as unapologetically bold as ever, with her trademark lyrics sharper and more resonant than ever before.
One thing that’s undeniable about Kate is her deep connection with her fans, effortlessly engaging with them throughout the show. Before launching into ‘My Little Alien’ from her 2018 album Yesterday Was Forever, she shared the heartwarming story of adopting her dog, then invited the crowd to join in on the song by teaching them some harmonies. No matter which album a track was from, the audience erupted in enthusiasm, and this energy reached its peak during the final two tracks of the night. First came a dynamic medley of ‘Kiss That Grrrl’, ‘Shit Song’, ‘Later On’, ‘Mariella’, and ‘Foundations’. The latter, the song that started it all, sounded as musically tight as ever. Despite being a perfect pop anthem from the outset, Kate’s sound has only grown richer and more refined over the years.
As the room erupted in rapturous applause, Kate reappeared on stage to perform ‘Space Odyssey 2001’. Cinematic in scope, the low-tempo track serves as a wistful recollection of memories from her first date with her now-partner. True to her unique artistic vision, Kate is one of the few who can craft a beautiful love song while simultaneously delivering a playful critique of a critically acclaimed film – complaining, of course, that it’s simply too long. Maintaining the downtempo vibe, the night drew to a close with ‘Birds’. Brimming with the nostalgia of her debut album, the track tells the story of a couple, with the boy professing his love for the girl through a charmingly quirky comparison to birds. A testament to Kate’s exceptional storytelling ability, it was the ideal conclusion to an unforgettable night.
Seamlessly blending new material with well-loved tracks from her back catalogue, Kate delivered a joyful, heartfelt performance to a Manchester crowd overflowing with love and energy. As one of the most vibrant artists on the scene today, it’s clear that she still has so much to offer. What’s even more admirable is her willingness to challenge the industry giants who are profiting, while independent artists and grassroots venues continue to face hardship.
