I first wrote about Kate Nash in October and how i expected her to have a large following in the U.S. Well, her first short stop in Los Angeles was sold out. I would say that’s a sign of doing pretty well. Not to mention the fact that this gig was after the announcement of the Brit Nominations, the UK’s equivalent to the Grammys and Kate is nominated for 3 Brits which include: British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act and British Single (off topic but bat For Lashes got 2 nods). When i purchased my tix for the Troubadour show (the day after it was announced) and the lady selling tickets said the gig was almost sold out. To compensate, Kate did a short set at Amoeba Records. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go so the Troubadour gig would have to suffice. Anyways, moving onto the show.

Kate was pretty much everything i expected live- she had a nice voice facial expressions emphasized the witty parts of songs. Her voice was clear, accent distinct and yet the lyrics weren’t inaudible. What i didn’t expect was how rock the songs sounded- heavier, less pop than the record, more electronic beats, and how into the songs she was. I didn’t like the drummer because he basically overwhelmed each song- it was like it was the drummer show and Kate wasn’t a part of it. But I liked the parts were when Kate closed the songs out by hitting various keys. At the end of her encore, she started pounding on her keyboard until her bracelet broke and it was flung into the crowd. Yes, it was returned to her. But i guess it was a sign to stop, bow, and exit the stage.

Most of Kate’s more intimate, quieter numbers were played on guitar whereas the poppy witty songs were piano based.

Setlist:

The Wizard of Oz/ Play Intro
Mariella
Stitching Leggings
Skeleton
Birds (guitar)
Nicest Thing (guitar)
Dickhead (guitar)
We Get On
Mouthwash
Foundations
Merry Happy

—————————-
Little Red (solo on piano)
Pumpkin Soup

Birds was really pretty live. I thought the version on the record was a little weak but i didn’t even notice when she was playing it live. Her facial expressions and reactions added a lot to the song. It was as if she was just telling a story with a guitar in hand.
Shit Song was really fun live- reminds me a lot of a Motown song with keyboards and an electronic beat.
Merry Happy- one of my favorite songs off the record and it was fun to hear it. Just a great song to close out the set with.
I really missed the sound of the strings because it made the guitar songs more rich. So, i hope next tour, Kate brings along her violinist. If you can, check her out while you can still see her in small venues because its only a matter of months before she’s going to sweep up her Brit Awards and play one of the large venues…