Nilüfer Yanya

Nilüfer Yanya

Apr 07

MISS UNIVERSE COMES TO TOWN

When: 3 April 2019

Where: CCA

Support: Westerman; Lizzie Reid

Band Previously Seen: 29 Aug 2017 at SWG3 Galvanizers Yard supporting The xx

I always turn up early for gigs so I can hear all the support acts as quite often I am really taken with them. One of the reasons for going to this gig is that I was impressed when I saw NY as the first support act for The xx at the SWG3 Galvanizers Yard – a big open, outside space which did not faze her and it made me want to see her again in a more intimate setting. And tonight my early bird instincts pay off: Lizzie Reid is a revelation – great voice, good band, great songs. Her Facebook page stresses her nu-folk style and delicate song writing but for me tonight it was the rockier songs that stood out.

NY delivered the set of a star in waiting – she is a good songwriter, has a beautiful singing voice and is an interesting guitarist. Her latest album, Miss Universe, has some great pop leaning songs (see sample video below) but the set shows that her natural instincts lean towards a jazzier bent (which is presumably why some have made Sade comparisons). Her rhythm section give able support but the key member of her band is the keys/sax player (sorry don’t know her name).

Despite her obvious abilities, and the many glowing reviews for Miss Universe, NY is, if anything, a relatively shy stage presence which in turns adds to her charm and makes the crowd warm to her even more. After their encore, as the band leave stage she realises that they should probably acknowledge the crowd’s cheers and take a bow but some of the band have already left and the moment passes.

The CCA is less than half full and was possibly not the best Glasgow venue for her but a better indication of her ascending star is that but her upcoming London gig had sold out. I suspect next tome she visits Glasgow the venue will be bigger and probably sold out.

Band page

Sample video