We check out one of Notts' most exciting new acts at their sold-out headline Bodega show...
At just nineteen and fifteen years old, Nyrobi and Chaya Beckett-Messam are already headlining Nottingham’s Bodega, with their unique blend of nu-metal, rap/hip-hop and electronica. The pair fostered an atmosphere of defiance, acceptance and confidence, celebrating all the things that make them unique, and encouraging their audience to do the same. ALT BLK ERA is more than just music – it’s a movement. This first sold-out assembly of misfits will surely be the first of many up and down the country.
The alternative singer-songwriter sisters were joined by two emerging talents to support them. The night kicked off with Kynch; a scrappy, energetic band that brought together raw punk energy, indie stylings and even a pinch of blues. Their performance was raucous, bursting with aggression and power, which was perfectly apt for the night ahead. With pounding drums and brutal guitars, they got the blood pumping around the room, as a perfect warm-up.
And then what looked like a sheep made its way through the crowd. Storm St Claire, wearing all white, entered the stage, joined by Dan Fraser on stage in a pink bunny hat. I mean, consider my attention grabbed. This self-professed ‘Lil Bratty Rockstar’ captured the hearts of the audience by inviting them to sit down on the ground during a song that dealt with themes of identity and the challenges posed in a world that doesn’t accept people who are different.
It was a really striking moment, with many audience members obliging and joining the performer, and perhaps the first sign that the night was going to be a celebration of uniqueness and unashamedly being yourself. Storm St Claire discussed being neurodivergent, queer, non-binary and disabled in between genre-smashing tracks embodying this ‘brat-punk’ uprising that we’ve been seeing with performers like Delilah Bon, who Storm St Claire and Alt Blk Era supported on tour recently.
After these wonderful warm-ups and a slice of time to grab a drink from the bar, the air-raid esque sirens arrived. A disembodied voice warned us that what was to come could spark ‘mass hysteria’ and that by attending we had ‘opted to comply’. These theatrics set the stage for the love letter to all things gothic, punk and dark, given the clear influences from the horror and fantasy genre on the work of ALT BLK ERA.
Nyrobi and Chaya entered the stage to rapturous applause, screams of joy and glowing smiles. This is a city bursting with pride for the pair, who are truly pushing the boundaries of alternative music. The sisters did not let this rock their boats however, soaking in the atmosphere and releasing that energy back in the room with their explosive performance.
They opened their set with creepy doll-like taunts of ‘playtime’s over’ before providing us with blast after blast of power with both familiar and unreleased ALT BLK ERA tracks. Hits like Off With Their Heads got the room shaking both with the booming bass to the track, the screeching guitar and the crowd throwing themselves into the air in time with the girls. However, the energy sustained throughout the evening, familiar or not (as well as their signature Arctic Monkeys medley), with cheers of approval and adoration for the performers filing the room in between every song.
Tracks like Oggy Oggy had the crowd chanting ‘Oy Oy Oy’ straight back at the stage in what was well and truly a participation event. I think perhaps this is the magic to ALT BLK ERA – not only are they representing young black alternative people in a scene were very few people look like them, but they create an experience where everyone is involved. Well and truly, by attending we did agree to comply – their raw superstar presence compelled the room to engage. They commanded The Bodega with an admirable ease that you wouldn’t have expected from musicians this young.
Nyrobi’s shredding aggression and Chaya’s delicate aspirance complement each other wonderfully in a way, and on some of their slower, softer ‘Lunar’ tracks, their harmonies were simply stunning. For example, going from Rockstar to Rockstar: Lunar we got to experience the full extent of their magic going from a rousing call-to-action to a more R&B style ballad. Every second of their set was both impressive, exciting and engaging. Everyone in the room was fully engrossed in the ALT BLK ERA experience.
The rockstars also came equipped with these beautifully gothic black lace masquerade masks that were offered to every audience member. The masks symbolised the way in which we hide who we are to the world to fit in. On their command, we took off these masks before enjoying a string of unreleased tracks that we can expect to see on their upcoming EP. I can assure you, you’re in for a treat.
Their first ever headline gig was a complete and utter triumph for the duo, who have a bright future on the horizon. They already have amassed a cult following in their hometown, and have the ferocity to take on the entire world – and they won’t give a damn if you like it.
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