Self-described psychedelic RnB singer-songwriter Greentea Peng returned to Rock City with intention, clarity and energy to burn...
Whether Greentea Peng had much energy for Nottingham city (“I spent like, a day and a half here… It’s alright.”) was debatable. But as she delivered her message – both personal and political – through clouds of burning sage, there was no questioning the very real, very regal energy of the heavily tattooed South London-born visitor.
Her set welcomed you in like a warm afternoon; then, every track, every jazz-soaked interlude and cosmic electric guitar riff, turned up the heat level by level. The band moving as one, her voice and her vibe at the centre of it all, gentle but strong. Smooth but edgy. An artist moving, not just with integrity but intention.
However hard you try, the straight-backed London swagger (real name, Aria Wells) has you comparing her, on some level, to Amy Winehouse. But that can’t turn you off when it’s done with the soulful, queen-like energy of Erykah Badu. Hazy, cleansing, honest, raw.
As the temperature climbed and the band shape-shifted effortlessly from reggae to jazz to neo soul, the crowd chanted “searching for balance, praying for clarity” at the top of their lungs and it was clear 2021 track Hu Man was the one they were baying for.
Even in the grubby darkness of Rock City, there was no better week to round off a set than by covering Bob Marley’s Sun is Shining. Then, with the energy at its peak, a mash up of Groove Armada’s Superstylin’ and Sweet Like Chocolate by Shanks and Bigfoot, leaving everyone on the delicious, Greentea Peng high they came for.
Greentea Peng performed at Rock City on 2nd May 2025.
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