Kate Nash
A lot can be and has been said about Kate Nash since she broke into the mainstream in 2007. Many before and after her who reached superstardom quickly and unexpectedly have burned out, but Kate Nash is still here.
Away from the record label pressures of her early career, she has proudly taken ownership of her career direction. This now includes several acting performances such as in the Netflix series GLOW. The latest part of this journey saw her take to the main stage at Live at Leeds.
Mouthwash
After an early teaser of her classic hit ‘Foundations’, she journeyed through various stages of her career and sound with the shout along ‘Life in Pink’ and defiant ‘Do-Wah-Doo’. Nash followed this with a visit to her debut album ‘Made of Bricks’ with ‘Mouthwash’. This track invited the festival field to its first sing along moment of “And I’m singing “oh oh” on a Friday night”.
One certainty about the Kate Nash of 2023 is that she is sick of the forces in life that bring negativity. Fellow debut album track ‘Dickhead’ became a cathartic release of energy. She invited the crowd to use the chorus as a group therapy tool in response to each audience member’s own personal dickheads. “Why’re you being a dickhead for? Stop being a dickhead. Why’re you being a dickhead for? You’re just fucking up situations” became one of the more memorable festival field sing along moments while the heavy guitar backing added to the sense of defiance.
Sister
Up next was a visit to 2013 album ‘Girl Talk’ with ‘Sister’. Nash explained the importance of the album to her. She was able to release it after her record label had dropped her. This marked a moment where she was able to truly express her independence. ‘Sister’ is an emotionally raw and powerful guitar-based track that contrasts from the sound that brought her fame. But even 10 years later its honesty made it one of the highlights of her set.
Afterwards was 2022 single ‘Wasteman’ which provided Nash another opportunity to vent about more past negativity. Following this was a medley which included ‘Kiss That Grrrl’ and ‘Later On’ from the understated ‘My Best Friend Is You’, and ‘Shit Song’ and ‘Mariella’ from ‘Made of Bricks’.
Foundations
Fully embracing what the crowd were waiting for, Nash invited them to raise their hands and wave their fingertips. The instantly recognisable piano opening to ‘Foundations’ was met with thunderous cheers, and the full lyrics were sung or shouted back to her. Especially “You said I must eat so many lemons, ‘Cause I am so bitter. I said, “I’d rather be with your friends, mate, ‘Cause they are much fitter”.
While Kate Nash is much more than the 2007 version of herself, she does not shy away from the foundations of what people mainly remember her for. While she’s definitely not a one hit wonder, ‘Foundations’ is certainly one hit that she will always be remembered for.
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