Omeara, one of London’s most iconic venues, was overtaken by bows and bunnies on the night of February 16th. Who else could it be besides the captivating Nieve Ella? Back in London for her first-ever headline tour, Omeara was filled with her impressively dedicated fanbase. Nieve is no stranger to the stage – opening for the likes of Inhaler and Dylan whilst also making a rather formidable festival run this past summer.
Few artists can so quickly create such a dedicated following. Nieve has that invaluable quality that makes fans feel a genuine connection to her. Perhaps it’s because she never shies away from the truth (an impossibly charming quality) and always makes a point to interact with fans in person and online. She even inspires her fans to dress like her and bring lookalikes of her favourite stuffed animal to the show. I did not hesitate to tie a bow in my hair while getting ready for the gig, feeling it would be wrong not to.
Nieve recently released her second EP, Lifetime of Wanting, in September of last year. It’s a collection of indie tracks full of insanely catchy, raw, honest lyrics and an addictive electric guitar. Nieve has caught the attention of many and is a live act worth going to see.
The excitement for the show started with Nieve’s personal pre-show playlist, which included some of her biggest inspirations like Sam Fender, Phoebe Bridgers, and of course, some Shania Twain. As Nieve and the band walked on stage, the anticipation for their first song was palpable. The show opened with ‘Big House’, a swoony indie-pop single she released last year. Unsurprisingly, the crowd screamed back every word. Yes, I mean screamed.
The set continued, including tracks from her first EP, Young & Naive, such as ‘Fall 4 U’ and ‘19 in a Week’. The crowd did not disappoint, full of energy and endless excitement as they were singing every line with passion and conviction. ‘His Sofa’, a personal favourite, was one of the best tracks to see live – probably because it’s just so damn fun to scream “fuck it!” at the very beginning of the song.
The set closed with Nieve’s first-ever single ‘Girlfriend’, a powerful and emotional end to a fantastic show. She said her heartfelt goodbye to the crowd, looking grateful and in awe of the love she was receiving. (Just accept it Nieve, you are a rockstar!) The walk out of Omeara was bittersweet, feeling buzzed from the show while simultaneously sad it was over. Fans lined up outside of the venue for a chance to meet Nieve, another display of the unflinching dedication of her fans.
Catch Nieve Ella as she continues her tour in April, or this summer on the festival circuit – you won’t want to miss it.
