Nadine Shah & The Royal Northern Sinfonia: BBC Proms

The Glasshouse International

Centre for Music

Mercury Prize nominated, South Tyneside-born Nadine Shah made her BBC Proms debut, with a sold out concert overlooking the Tyne. Unfortunately we missed the support band Knats (now, also Mercury nominated) but apparently they were fantastic, even if you’re not a jazz fan. The band members were in the audience afterwards and seemed down to earth and really canny—having their photos taken with people. Awaiting the main act the presenter told us to please switch our phones off, as the concert was being recorded for the BBC Proms (which immediately made me want to shout something obscene). It was a late one at 10pm on the concourse, so the sun had gone down. Nadine Shah joined the Royal Northern Sinfonia on stage for a bold but perfectly matched collaboration.

Making a striking stage presence dressed in black with a flash of sequins and opening with ‘Aching Bones’, we knew we were in for a very special night. With subjects including grief, womanhood and addiction, Nadine radiated raw emotion and her powerful voice sounded fantastic. Under conductor Ellie Slorach’s unshowy leadership, the strings, brass and woodwinds added a rich layer of texture to her compositions, without losing the intimacy. Warm, interesting and funny, Shah revealed to the sold out crowd how nervous she had been. Her love of the North East and pride in her roots was evident, as she gestured towards the stunning view of the river and the bridges lit up in the dark. She seemed to relax more towards the end, opening up about the importance of keeping a loved one’s memory alive by still talking about them. There was also a special mention for her dad’s curtain business in Blaydon: “It’s the BBC so I can’t advertise—but get your curtains in Blaydon. Google it.” Highlights were ‘Stealing Cars’ and ‘Holiday Destination’, and the dramatic strings on ‘Greatest Dancer’ sounded fantastic. In the past I’ve been to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, but I enjoyed this so much more. Less pomp and circumstance; more honesty, that was both moving and relevant. Wrapping up the evening she thanked us all and hugged the conductor who wiped away something from her eye (maybe a tear?). Massive applause at the end. A very special event and I was so glad I went. Loved it.

Deb Snell