Nina Nesbitt’s Confessional Pop on Jake Bugg Tour at Ace Hotel DTLA

Nina Nesbitt. (Photo: Select Specs)

There’s something particularly special about a new pop artist on the rise whose songs aren’t your average cookie-cutter pop.

At only 23-years-old, singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt seems to know what she’s doing. Her writing feels incredibly personal, emotional and heartfelt; her music blends elements of folk meets alt-pop and R&B; and above all, her music feels familiar, relevant and universal.

Her music has the ability to capture the voice of a generation — and with up to 4.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, it’s clear that Nesbitt is on her way up. And I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Nesbitt just kicked off her nationwide US tour opening up for English indie-folk singer-songwriter Jake Bugg this week, playing the second night of her tour in Los Angeles at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel Tuesday night.

Just having recently gone independent, Nesbitt’s incredible single “The Best You Had” — an emotional tune about the pain one goes through after a breakup and feeling like your pride is hit when an ex has moved on — remains Nesbitt’s most-streamed song on Spotify with up to 24 million streams and rising. Tinged with heavy piano keys and modern pop elements, her confessional style of writing shines, as it remains a song that hits deep and personal to the insecurity of feeling less than worthy.

Her newest single “Somebody Special” takes a rather mature look at love, as it inspires one to rediscover one’s sense of self-worth and that you only deserve the best. It’s catchy with incredibly rhythmic grooves and a chorus that makes you come alive.

When performing live, Nesbitt has a knack for genuinely connecting with her audience. Her confessional songwriting and stripped-down acoustic and piano set on this tour allow her music to really shine and resonate with audiences.

As it’s been four years since her last full-length album Peroxide in 2014, Nesbitt has passionately been working under the radar songwriting for other artists, inspired by the stories of fans and friends. She parted ways with Island Records in May 2016 and has been making her way as an independent artist — and doing it well, I might add. Her songwriting and sense of self, identity and sound shines through her new material, and the world seems to be responding well.

I myself was incredibly blown away by how heartfelt, real and personal her songs are. They carry a whole lot of emotional weight and depth, as Nesbitt’s voice cuts clear with pure singer-songwriter. She has the ability to make pop sound, feel and be real again, telling real stories that pierce through your heart and make you feel like you’ll be okay. Almost like a comforting ear through your pain or heartbreak, I instantly became a fan (watch my recap and vlog of her Spotify performance last weekend as well, here).

Nesbitt is set to release her new album this Summer 2018. Currently, she is touring North America this March and April supporting Jake Bugg. For tickets and more information, go to ninanesbittmusic.com.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
03/26 – The Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA*
03/27 – The Theatre at Ace Hotel – Los Angeles, CA*
03/28 – The UC Theatre – Berkley, CA*
03/30 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR*
03/31 – The Showbox – Seattle, WA*
04/01 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC*
04/03 – The State Room – Salt Lake City, UT*
04/04 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO*
04/06 – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX*
04/07 – The Parrish – Austin, TX*
04/08 – The Kessler – Dallas, TX*
*Supporting Jake Bugg

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