Live Review

Kate Nash – The Academy, Dublin

• 9th Apr 2010

Burning bras, singing about wankers and Kate Nash screaming “I don’t have to be your baby”… just another normal night in the Academy.

This description may better fit in with a gig review of a 90’s Riot Grrl punk show, but this one was not far off.

Kate Nash debuted a new look and a very new sound at her first Irish gig since 2007 on April 7th, in the Academy on Abbey St. With a cropped, grown-out edgy bob and a darker wardrobe, Kate debuted some of her songs from upcoming sophmore album ‘My Best Friend Is You’.

Taking inspiration from as diverse influences as 60’s soul group The Supremes and feminist Riot Grrl band Bikini Kill, Nash has a whole other persona coming into play with her difficult second album. After taking time off to buy a rabbit, learn how to drive and get cuddled up with Ryan Jarman of The Cribs, Kate is back with a bang and a bag full of attitude.

The sold-out over-14’s show was jam-packed, with two queues spanning the length of Middle Abbey St. Supporters Sisterlovers, a 3-piece from Cavan riled the crowd up for the main show before Kate graced the stage at 9pm.

With her signature quirky charm and devious smile, the cockney beauty tantalised the crowd by opening with her new single ‘Doo Wah Do’. Kate was surprised her Irish fans knew all the words of the infectious little ditty before declaring “I won’t be happy if you don’t know the words to this” and launching into 2007 hit ‘Mouthwash’.

Mouthwash sent the crowd wild, as did the other older songs dotted throughout the set. If you didn’t know the Nash you knew and loved had changed, cut to her reading poetry, focusing more on guitar than on piano and singing about “wankers who her sister went out with” in her “new ‘Dickhead’” type song.

The most likeable thing about the now grown-up Nash is that the floral cuteness may be lost, yet the sharp-wit and attitude is all there in bucketloads. Her songs are darker in theme, (homophobia, cocaine, friend troubles) and stronger in delivery like ‘Mansion Song’ which was quiet, chilling and full of raw emotion.

‘Foundations’ and ‘Birds’ which are two fan-favourites were saved for mid-set and the end, while Nash finished with a new song and ‘Merry Happy’.

All in all Nash was flawless, except for minor fumbling chords on the guitar which only added to her down-to-earth appeal. The album sounds matured, seasoned and darker but Nash can only be herself, which is the main reason we all love her.