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Kate Nash, The Wallbirds

The Cockpit, Leeds on 25th May 2007
Reviewed by Dave on 27th May 2007

Last week I hadn’t heard of Kate Nash and this week I’m turning up to her gig half-drunk and in desperate need of a piss, “why?” you may ask, well because after stumbling across her MySpace and buying her latest single, ‘Caroline’s a Victim’, I have come to the conclusion that this girl is a brilliantly talented musician and her brand of anti-folk indie pop is quite ace.

The Wallbirds

The Wallbirds are a three piece country band, proper country mind, with a harmonica. Their set is a rather chaotic sounding “hoe-down” and the energy displayed by the band makes them an instant hit with the crowd.

Stand out songs from the set include ‘8 O’clock Blues’ and ‘Changes with the Moon’ both are quite slow numbers, yet the band remain energetic throughout. At times The Wallbirds are reminiscent of The Broken Family Band and ‘Changes with Moon’ sounds similar to ‘It’s All Over’.

Country music has a rich history and a fair amount of very talented musicians; it is often very difficult to stand out in such company as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams et al but The Wallbirds might just have what it takes, all they need to do is stay off the “swish”.

Rating: 9/10

Kate Nash

As Kate emerges onto the stage it is to rapturous applause, shouts of “’iya!” screams, wolf whistles and cat calls, she sits down behind her keyboard with a big grin on her face and simply says “That’s mental, thanks”.

With the London twang present in all her songs it’s easy to compare Kate to Lily Allen but you could also say that there is a little bit of Emmy the Great mixed in with a dash of Laura Groves rattling around in the 19 year old songstress.

Whether she was sitting behind her keyboard or playing her acoustic guitar Kate was impressive and she had a huge smile plastered on her face, she seemed to be genuinely happy to be playing to the packed, hot and sweaty main room of the Cockpit.

Kate’s set was a brilliant anti-folk affair and included some rather brilliant songs, my favourite of which had to be ‘Dickhead’ a simple little acoustic song about, well a dickhead, an acoustic version of the synth-driven ‘Caroline’s a Victim’ was surprisingly good, I didn’t expect it to work with an acoustic guitar but it was really very good.

Upcoming single, ‘Foundations’ sounds like a gorgeous indie pop number throughout which Kate gives the crowd the middle finger.

The closing two songs ‘Merry Happy’ and ‘Little Red’ are amazingly simple little keyboard driven songs which seem to satiate the crowd’s desire for Kate to stay and play all night, something she says she wishes she could do.

Kate delivered a brilliant set of wondrous anti-folk indie pop songs, keep both eyes on this cheeky southerner; I have a feeling she is going to be big this year. She will be returning to Leeds for the O2 Wireless Festival, so if you are there on the Saturday, check her out.

Rating: 10/10
Website: www.myspace.com/katenashmusic

holly yarker says:-

please help me im trying all day to find a site that tells you how to play kate nash moutheash on keyboard does any body know a website

8th August 2007 @ 12:30:14 GMT

usergirl84 says:-

luke from wallbirds is fit

5th September 2007 @ 12:27:45 GMT

Ashton Reay says:-

i love my uncle luke from the wallbirds

24th September 2007 @ 15:22:17 GMT

lindsey says:-

the wallbirds are ace seen them in inverness last night supporting the pigeons and they blew them out the water. hope to see them again sometime soon.

17th October 2007 @ 15:20:22 GMT

Kirky says:-

I saw the wallbirds at Nottingham last night supporting the pigeons. I never wanted the wallbirds set to end. They made the pigeon detectives look a bit silly!

7th November 2007 @ 14:56:49 GMT

Mortz says:-

the wallbirds are ace i cant wait to see them in doncaster 30th nov! got thier Single the other day I LOVE IT!!!! GOOO WALLBIRDSSSSSSS

29th November 2007 @ 11:55:16 GMT

tom says:-

hey this is tom lukes bro hope sin them at dincaster dome they was ace

19th December 2007 @ 12:32:58 GMT

Lily says:-

Walt from the wallbirds is hot x

I watched them last night supporting one night only, they were amazing!

24th May 2008 @ 10:17:31 GMT