The hum of anticipation fills the air as Kate Nash, the British indie-rock icon, steps back onto a tour bus after six prolonged years; her hands gliding over familiar but somehow changed surfaces—guitars, setlists, even friendships. The road is a chaotic place, an emotional tightrope walk between exhilaration and exhaustion. But for Nash, this tour feels different: sure, it’s about playing the old and what fans love, but more so on reconnecting with the audiences and herself.
“There’s this existential nature to being on tour now,” Nash reflects over a phone call from a quiet corner in Boston, a brief pause between shows while on her North American tour for 9 Sad Symphonies. “It’s different post-COVID. You realize how fragile everything is, and that changes how you approach it.” Back on stage, she reconnects with long-time listeners and breathes life into both old favorites and new material, knowing that the simplest acts—like traveling to meet fans—now carry a deeper meaning.
This intentionality is woven throughout Nash’s journey back to the spotlight. She curates every aspect of her tour environment carefully. “I don’t drink, and I’m really selective about who travels with me,” she says. “Creating a positive, healthy space is a priority.” Her bandmates, too, have become an extension of that support system, forming what she describes as a near-telepathic connection. These moments of synchronicity help navigate the chaos that inevitably follows life on the road, like the frantic first day of this tour, when a plane malfunction led to missed connections and hours of scrambling to recheck equipment.
Even as she embraces the challenges of touring, Nash remains rooted in the connections that matter most—those forged directly with her audience. She admits feeling disconnected from the overwhelming noise of social media and opts for the intimacy of Patreon, where she engages with a small, supportive community. “I don’t enjoy the aggressive behavior online, and it just feels better to meet fans in person,” she explains.
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Even while taking a stroll on an off day after her show at the Racket in New York City, she crossed paths with a young fan who shared with her that he’s been listening to her music for more than half of his life, something Nash doesn’t take lightly. “It leaves me speechless. I can’t believe people feel that about things I’ve made. It’s an honor, its so cool, it’s so sweet. My fans are so cool that I’m even like, ‘how do you even like me? you’re so cool,’” she shared with a laugh.
As Nash reflects on her latest record, “9 Sad Symphonies,” she draws a clear connection between her beginnings and where she stands today. While her debut album, “Made of Bricks,” was defined by raw, deeply personal lyrics, her new approach embraces the same storytelling spirit with a theatrical and cinematic twist. This time, she drew inspiration from places like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “The Sound of Music,” blending grand, film-like string arrangements with her signature quirky sound.
These days, touring isn’t just about returning to the stage for Nash—it also serves as a continuation of her activism. After spending a decade in Los Angeles and recently relocating back to the U.K., Nash now feels a renewed sense of civic responsibility, especially around voting and political engagement. “Voting is both a privilege and a responsibility,” she says. “It’s essential to use your voice, especially as a woman.”
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Her activism also extends to representation and visibility, particularly for marginalized communities. Nash speaks candidly about the pressures facing women and the LGBTQIA+ community. A standout moment came when her drummer, Maxi, performed at the Glastonbury Festival shortly after undergoing top surgery—a gender-affirming procedure for trans individuals that alters the chest. Nash proudly highlights the importance of that moment. “Moments like that are what it’s all about. Being visible, celebrating differences, and standing up for each other,” she says.
A unique aspect of Nash’s current tour is her concept of karaoke therapy, designed to foster unity and connection among fans before the show even begins. Inspired by the political tensions and divisiveness she encountered during her last U.S. tour, Nash envisioned karaoke as a way to diffuse stress and create a sense of community. The plan involves displaying song lyrics on a screen on stage, while microphones are passed around to a few lucky audience members seated throughout the venue, encouraging them to sing along from their seats.
“It’s about creating camaraderie and reminding people that we’re here to have fun. And before you know it, fans who never knew each other end up leaving as friends, singing along to songs they enjoy just like they would at home,” she says.
As the tour unfolds, Nash hopes “9 Sad Symphonies” resonates with fans in new ways. “I just want to keep growing as an artist and creating work that inspires me.”
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