Nieve Ella's KOKO Show Seemed Like a Special Moment

      Nieve Ella has previously discussed her commitment to her craft – and she is currently demonstrating this, one headline performance at a time. The indie-pop sensation from Shropshire is establishing herself as the Gen-Z icon the world is seeking, combining attitude with intellect, and passion with genuine, heartfelt energy.

      Performing inside the ornate red embrace of London's KOKO, beneath a giant mirrorball and intricate plasterwork, Nieve embodies the essence of a rising star, adorned in high boots and a flowing white dress.

      Opening for her on this tour, Fred Roberts appears charmingly awestruck.

      “This is a pretty cool thing to do on a Wednesday,” he comments, his low voice transitioning into soft sung melodies. Accompanied by lead guitarist Rosie, Roberts delivers a confident half-hour set, featuring a dreamy, slowed-down rendition of Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Taste’, successfully getting the full house to join in – it's clear he has a solid fan base present tonight.

      Another standout moment is his performance of his debut single ‘Runaway’. “Let’s get hyped!” he encourages – a little more energy at this point would have enhanced the experience, but overall it’s a warmly received and skillfully executed support set.

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      Now it’s Nieve Ella’s turn, and she eagerly shows her excitement about being on stage for her biggest headline show so far. With her rock star persona and laid-back pop sound, the dramatic buildup of ‘Anything’ serves as an exhilarating opener. Following that is ‘The Things We Say’, a poignant and heartfelt track delivered with an infectious smile that Nieve can't hide.

      The first major singalong of the night erupts during the beloved ‘Blu Shirt Boy’, before Nieve and her band welcome a special vocal quartet on stage to enhance ‘Sweet Nothings’ with improvised harmonies. The unreleased track ‘Good Grace’, characterized as “Ganni Top’s little sister,” is energetic, alluring, and enjoyable, leading into a slowed-down segment of the set. Here, Nieve performs Role Model’s ‘Look At That Woman’, shares an intimate seated duet with Fred Roberts on ‘The Reason’, and showcases her vocal prowess in ‘Glasshouses’, hitting long, powerful notes.

      With the energy restored, Nieve continues with her main set. ‘Lucky Girl’ is casually introduced: “this is a treat for you,” she says, presenting the live debut of an intense rock ballad delivered with passionate grit. ‘Ganni Top (She Gets What She Needs)’ feels like the climax of the evening, with rolling rock riffs and a driving beat easing into raucous pre-chorus chants after the inevitable “Screeaaam!”

      ‘Meet You In The Middle’ propels the audience euphorically toward the “end” of the show. “Brace for what’s coming… I’m tired of being silenced / Won’t forever hold my peace”… This moment feels like a cathartic triumph for Nieve, a solo proclamation of female empowerment, strength, and resilience.

      After cramming 14 songs into approximately an hour, Nieve steps off-stage for barely a minute before returning to perform a musical interlude, followed by a three-song encore (including a ‘Happy Birthday’ for bassist Fran). The show culminates in the joyous, energetic ‘Sugar Coated’, leaving everyone with a wave of positivity.

      The performance has been impressive and self-assured – it’s clear Nieve is relishing the moment. She is at a stage where new experiences and accomplishments are coming rapidly; she’s embracing it all, discovering new skills and strengths, while still remarkably in awe of her journey.

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      Words: Phil Taylor

      Photo Credit: Mollie McKay

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