Over the years I’ve been to a lot of live shows, from Skepta’s surprise shutdown in Shoreditch to Masego’s jazzy infused hip hop performance at Kamio. Both were great shows in their own right, but none quite like the live display of NAO’s debut album: ‘For All We Know’.
Now it’s common knowledge, amongst my friends, that I like a drink when stepping out especially to an event such as a concert. I feel it adds to the experience and partly sets the mood and tone of the experience. So I tend to, rightly or wrongly, pour up before going to a concert. However NAO’s was different – I was running on BMT and didn’t have the time to overindulge in Captain Morgan’s and ginger beer (goes down smooth if you’re wondering) before heading out. I stepped into Shepherd’s Bush Empire stone cold sober… and what I experienced was simply… amazing!
People have been inquisitive as to whether NAO’s voice sounds the same live as it does in her mixed down recordings. I can confirm. Her voice is nothing short of angelic live. It’s the type of mesmerising voice that can still noise in a room and draw everyone’s undivided attention to it. This is exactly what happened when NAO kicked off the show with the softly sung ‘Intro (Like velvet)’, which seamlessly transitioned into the upbeat funky ‘Get to Know Ya’. This is what I loved most about the concert, the balance it offered. One minute NAO’s smooth tone would have you trapped in a trance soul searching. The next – you’d be lost in an electronic funk, ecstatic with life and your (imaginary – if you don’t have one) partner. It was an emotive rollercoaster. The light production and live band deserve a mention here too. The lighting was timed so well with the accents in the lyrics and instrumentation; it made the show that even more epic.
Where NAO would hold a note for longer or increase her pitch in accordance with the song, the lighting would carefully mirror this which supported the acoustics with great visuals. At times it felt like I was on ecstasy (disclaimer: I haven’t taken ecstasy, but I can only imagine it’s something similar to this). The live band was a great touch too; it brought the album to life in such vibrant and energetic way. It allowed NAO to dance around stage, engage with the band/crowd and throw her stage presence around to greater effect.
“You’re a holiday, a glass of ocean slipping down my throat, and landed on my hopes, I’m dreaming…” echoed out as the lights dipped and NAO prepared to end the show on the high of her hit single ‘Bad Blood’, which was arguably the most special moment of the show. TRULY. HONESTLY. SPECIAL (*Joanne the scammer voice*). I can’t put a numerical rating on this show, but it definitely fits into my top 5. No wait, top 4. Actually, top 3. Put it this way – I came back the very next day to watch her perform the same show again (remember these are unadulterated sober decisions and thoughts).
Written by Luke – Idiots Guide to 25.