Currently amid a creative purple patch, British singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya has just released her much-anticipated third studio album, My Method Actor, garnering her further critical acclaim. Ahead of her performance at Rescue Rooms in December, Nilüfer made an additional stop in Nottingham as part of her in-store promotional tour for the new record…
Arriving to the upstairs room at Rough Trade, I’ve already made peace with the fact that I might not see much of the performance tonight. Even with 30 minutes till the planned stage time, the tiny space is already full, with a few people stood beyond the supporting walls trying to get a glimpse of the stage where Nilüfer will be performing. For me though, as long as I can hear the music, then anywhere will do. I grab a spot at the bar and, as Nilüfer and her band take to the stage to huge applause, I can just about get a peek of the stage through the wall of bodies.
She opens the set on new album track Call It Love, with it’s wonderfully chilled-out guitar groove and soothing saxophone – the perfect song to ease folks into the Monday evening set.
“Thank you all for coming down – it’s been a while since we last played Nottingham,” she says as she greets the crowd, shortly before launching into a slightly rawer version of second album favourite, L/R. Expecting just to hear the new record tonight, it’s also a pleasant surprise to get treated to her debut album closer, Heavyweight Champion of the Year.
That said, the set mainly pulls from the new record and it’s great to hear some of the new songs in this cozy live setting, with recent single Like I Say (Runaway) and title track Method Actor both sounding majestic. It may only be a short set but it’s almost spiritual at times, the crowd deadly silent as Nilüfer retunes her guitar between each song, clearly captivated and awaiting her next sonic gift. Midnight Sun is one of those gifts, with her pitch perfect vocals and melodic guitar riffs just spellbinding to behold.
After introducing the band and stating that she hopes the audience enjoyed the intimate live experience, it’s sadly already the end.
“Thanks so much for buying the record, the CD, the ticket, whatever. It really means a lot,” she says sincerely, clearly grateful for the support tonight. She shows her thanks further by treating us all to a sublime cover of PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me, bringing a softer touch to Polly Jean’s snarling classic.
All in all, this is a great preview for what we can expect from her show later this year at Rescue Rooms, and hopefully the two band members with her tonight will return too, after an impressive performance. An artist with immense talent, I’m glad it won’t be too long before Nilüfer returns to NG1.
Nilüfer Yanya performed at Rough Trade on 16th September 2024.
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