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Kate Nash @ New Century Hall review – A night of nostalgia and storytelling

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Featured image: Alice Baxley


Kate Nash delivers an epic performance at New Century Hall on the fourth leg of her tour, celebrating the release of her new album 9 Sad Symphonies.

The evening begins with a lively set from Connie Constance who energises the audience with a mix of her infectious dancehall-inspired tracks. Nash makes an early appearance during one of Constance’s final songs, bounding onto the stage, igniting the crowd to dance along.

Opening her set with a further unconventional re-entrance, Nash returns to the whimsical Willy Wonka soundtrack, setting the tone for a night of surprises.

Launching into her set with ‘Millions of Heartbeats’ from her latest album, she showcases her signature storytelling style, paired with her distinctly British inflections fans adore.

The nostalgic energy peaks when she performs ‘Mouthwash’ from her iconic Made of Bricks album. Longtime fans erupt into cheers, singing every word of the beloved track, demonstrating Nash’s enduring appeal.

Midway through the set, Nash candidly addresses her recent announcement about joining OnlyFans. Explaining the financial challenges of touring as an independent artist, she rallies the audience with her unapologetic stance, declaring: “For those who ask me whether it’s empowering, I say that it is empowering because I want to!”

True to her unique style, Nash blurs the lines between artist and audience. She dances among the crowd during a high-energy song, urging everyone to crouch with her before leaping together as the drums kick in.

The tempo shifts during the middle of the set as Nash transitions into her softer tracks. A standout moment is her heartfelt song ‘Nicest Thing’, a fan-favourite from her debut album which leaves the audience swaying tearfully. Nash’s ability to create such a communal atmosphere highlights her versatility as a performer.

Before the night ends, she invites the audience to harmonise during ‘My Little Alien’, a touching song about her dog. The call-and-response interaction between the audience and Nash portrays her desire to create a genuine connection with her fans.

Then comes the moment everyone is waiting for: ‘Foundations.’ As the first note hits of the recognisable masterpiece, the crowd erupts. As Nash’s most popular song and 00’s anthem, ‘Foundations’ has every voice in the room belting out the lyrics, united in shared nostalgia and joy.

It is the perfect end to an exhilarating, nostalgic set.

Follow @katenash on Instagram to keep up with her tour. Follow @newcenturymcr for upcoming events in Manchester.

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Kate Dening

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