Openers Reek0 and HiTech provided the ideal warm-up to the main act, ensuring the energy was high for when Nia started her performance. With Reek0 combining UK rap and jungle he was a perfect start to the gig. HiTech gave us a faster-paced DJ set and brought the tempo up ready for Nia’s to start. Nia herself was on at 8:45 p.m. and her set lasted 75 minutes.
The UK DJ and singer provided a vibrant performance, opening with a remix of Florence and the Machine’s ‘You’ve Got the Love’ while maintaining her personal style with her distinguishable breakbeats. For the first half of the show she played a DJ set, moving through some of her biggest non-vocal hits, such as ‘Off Wiv Ya Headz’.
Halfway through, she moved from a DJ set to vocals switching the energy to a slightly more emotional one, slowing down a bit with her more anxious vocal hits - such as 'Unfinished Business', 'Forbidden Feelingz', and her debut song 'Sober Feels'. Towards the end of her set, she brought the energy way back up with her last 15 minutes being back to DJing, closing with 'Baianá'.
The show was no doubt elevated by the visuals. With the backdrop changing with each song, assisted by brought and colourful lights, I think the lighting really pulled the whole performance together, visually giving the gig a 90s feel. Nia herself had a captivating stage presence, dancing and jumping around both while DJing and singing.
Nia spoke earlier this year about wanting to improve the rave and party scene up North (she grew up in Leeds) and this is something she provided. Nia Archives is one of the most exciting new artists the UK has to offer and is a must-see artist if you haven’t already.