Wednesday May 14, 2008 (8pm)
For anyone who saw the appeal in Lily Allen's music, but not in Allen herself, Kate Nash is here to complete the picture. Bringing the same kind of street-smart lyricism to her songs, Nash comes across as quirky, genuine, and eminently likable. She's a hell of a songwriter too — her debut, Made of Bricks, includes numerous bona fide hits ("Foundations," "Merry Happy," "Pumpkin Soup") — and her switches from piano to guitar don't cause the slightest misstep. Live, things get more intense, as Nash incites her percussion-heavy backing band, speeding up tempos, bashing at the keys, and occasionally giving in to outright rock revelry.
– Brett O'Bourke