Kate Nash is a kaleidoscopic talent. From her DIY beginnings with 2007’s Made of Bricks to the radio-ready My Best Friend Is You, and back to her angsty, independent – yet still glossy and fun – Yesterday Was Forever, Nash effortlessly blends genres and tones. This year, Nash signed with Kill Rock Stars to release 9 Sad Symphonies, an album full of complex compositions and songs that deliver an oasis of community in a world of chaos. No matter what soundscapes Nash explores from release to release, her unique blend of candid emotional intellect, cheeky humor, and sheer joy – all of which were on display during her Oct. 22 performance at Thalia Hall in Chicago – remain a constant through every era.
Joh Chase, Nash’s label-mate, opened the show with a compelling set full of personal storytelling and electric guitar riffs. Songs like “Avalanche,” “Right Way,” and “Another Lover” – which featured Chase’s looping vocals – connected with the attentive crowd.
“[Kate Nash] is just such a good person and it’s such a huge privilege for me to get to be here and also to get to play right before Revenge Wife, who’s going to be coming out in a second,” said Chase midway through the set.
Revenge Wife, the solo project of HOLYCHILD lead singer Liz Nistico, got the crowd moving with a setlist that included the poppy “Confessions of an Earth Angel” and the stark and synthy “Myth of a Salesman.”
Before playing HOLYCHILD’s “sexual anthem,” “Bathroom Bitch,” Nistico took time out to thank Nash, Chase, and fans – especially those who have been supporters since the early days.
“How many of you know HOLYCHILD? Thank you. It’s amazing there are people who have jumped on to the Revenge Wife train now and I’m so excited about that,” Nistico said noting how special it is to reconnect with longtime fans. “I did HOLYCHILD for so long and we played Chicago a bunch so if anybody was on that journey… it really means a lot.”
When it came to the evening’s headlining set Nash didn’t waste much time before highlighting songs from 9 Sad Symphonies – the lyrics of which were already known word-for-word by everyone in attendance. “Millions of Heartbeats” – a completely universal anthem about living in a world of constant bad news and increasing pressure – addressed the reality of our times with an upbeat melody and a sense of camaraderie that spread joy across the venue. “Vampyre” and “Ray” also found all the kindred spirits in attendance relating with Nash’s depiction of love and life.
It wasn’t just the music that resonated with fans. All night long, Nash made room for genuine human connection, reaching out to fans in the front row during “Life in Pink” and hopping into the crowd to dance with everyone during “Misery.”
“It’s so amazing to be here for the first time in six years. I just signed a record deal this year with Kill Rockstars and I’m label-mates with Joh Chase who opened up for us this evening. I was like independent for 12 years, as many of you know. It was really hard,” Nash said with a laugh, thanking her new agents and fans, adding, “We had some very good times and it was a big decision to sign to a label, but I feel really, really good about it.”
“Sister” – performed lying down – and “Foundations” were further highlights of the night.
Check out photos of Kate Nash, Revenge Wife, and Joh Chase performing at Thalia Hall below and click here to pick-up tickets to future tour dates. More information can be found at Katenash.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
