Nina Nesbitt at Bush Hall

Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt has an acute creative vision that resonates with her fellow teenage following. Her early venturesupporting Ed Sheeran was followed by a succession of numerous EPs and albums, and tonight Nesbitt celebrates the upcoming release of her Modern Love EP with her first live show of the year, under the decorative lights and intimate surroundings of Bush Hall.

Backed by a solid rhythmic entourage, the singer assumes a down-to-earth presence and enjoys a set consisting of new and classic material side-by-side. Prior to her new release and live shows, Nesbitt spoke of a “big departure” from her early mahogany guitar foundations to a more mature and evolved identity. She marks her creative intentions with People in Love, a power ballad in which she unleashes her breathtaking vocal potential, and the brooding R&B energy of Take You to Heaven.

The night reverberates with Nesbitt’s simple and timeless folk-pop identity, devoid of radical inventiveness and pretentiousness. An Amy Macdonald-like folk-rock feel echoes through opening number The Apple Tree that ripples away with serene acoustic guitar harmonies and buoyant drum-lines in the backdrop, and the charming vocals of Nesbitt glide gently through the surroundings of the hall.

As promised, there are a number of new tracks scattered in the set, including Masquerade, whose haunting ambience is unfortunately riddled with unwanted cable glitches. The Scottish teen singer also treats the crowd with a mid-set medley striding through Mr C and covers of Hotline Bling and Can’t Feel My Face. She and her band conclude with latest hit Chewing Gum, unleashing a radiant sound world full of quivering rhythms, dazzling, sonorous synth and a leaping vocal melody, rich in attitude and panache.

Aside from the opening technical intrusions, the lively crowd gratefully appreciates Nina Nesbitt’s chic musical personality. Perhaps the eyes and ears of today are yet to see the best of the 19-year-old Edinburgh-bred talent. A little more experience in the music world will hopefully be the spark to assert her presence in the near future.

Isaku Takahashi
Photos: Guifré de Peray

For further information about Nina Nesbitt and future events visit here.
    

Watch the video for Chewing Gum here: