Nikki Lane

Tuesday 6th June. Bush Hall. Nikki Lane. It’s back at my favourite small venue in London with its funky hall of mirrors on the walls, Edwardian plaster and chandeliers. Most of all its got good sound, good sight lines and showcases some great artists. Tonight, it’s the Highway Queen herself, Nikki Lane accompanied by her band the Kings of Hearts, Clubs and Spades as depicted on their coordinating black shirts.

Originally from Carolina Lane is now resident in Nashville and tonight it’s a showcase for her new album the excellent aforementioned ‘Highway Queen’. Its full of great story book songs and the quality of these really puts her in the top echelon of the current very competitive field of female country singer songwriters such as Angaleena Presley, Ashley Monroe, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price and Courtney Marie Andrews to name a few. All of whom are writing real life country whilst putting a contemporary twist to the typical country standards.

Support tonight was from Ruby Boots whom I had not heard before but certainly grabbed the audience’s attention with her strong voice of which we heard a lot more throughout the night accompanying the band on backing vocals in the main set.

Opening the set with the first two songs from the new album ‘Highway Queen’ and ‘700,000 rednecks’ her stall is set from the first note. The three piece band supporting her are excellent. The driving rhythm section never miss a beat and especially nice to see a bass player moving all over his fretboard rather than the usual two banal thrum. Special props to the talented Alex Munoz who I last saw on stage with Margo Price last year. Super guitarist, he’s got the licks without being too showy.

Lane has a great edge to her music which stands here apart from the crowd. Whilst possessing a classic country voice she blends in some light and shade when she lowers it an octave or two.

It’s a beautiful ninety minutes full of great songs played by an accomplished band. The warmth on stage spills out into the audience and is sent back in spades. Difficult to pick out a favourite although ‘Send the sun’ was particularly good as was the cover of Dylan’s ‘you aint going nowhere’. Can’t wait for her return where I will certainly be bringing more of my gig going buddies along.

So it’s four for four of great country gigs in the past month. A big thank you to Andrew Combs, Brent Cobb, Cale Tyson and Nikki Lane for keeping the genre alive and so glad that there’s an audience over here for you. Long may you and your friends keep coming back?

Keep on country rockin y’all.

eeing a show in Hollywood is much different than seeing a show in Denver. The Roxy had private booths for guests of the artists, so Nikki Lane could be found hanging out with her friends in a roped off area before her set. She was bouncing around the crowd in what looked like lingerie while guys in the men’s room were fixing their hair in the mirror. Ortega and Romano were nowhere to be found, but Moreland was sitting at his almost empty table, face buried in his phone while a female friend went to go grab them drinks. It was all a little surreal and the country vibe seemed to have left the room with Romano. But then Nikki Lane made her way from the VIP section onto the stage and I realized we were in for another kind of country. Just as real as everything that came before it, but different. Lane has been called the ‘queen of outlaw country’ and she wore that crown well throughout her performance. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Lane now calls L.A. home, and she seemed right at home during her headlining set. She was pretty much the opposite of John Moreland.

White cowboy hat, black romper with her ass hanging out, a pair of boots, a guitar and a huge attitude, Nikki Lane kicked the night off with “Highway Queen” before demanding someone bring her a towel because “I got needs!” As she covered Buddy Guy’s “Gasoline and Matches” I couldn’t help but see a confident, countrified Zooey Deschanel up on that stage. Before “Man Up” she told the unfortunate story about her failed marriage as if she were shrugging off a bad hair day — “I did a dumb thing and got married, now I got a divorce on my record” — the failure was blamed on her man being bad at his job, “his job as a husband!” Where Moreland will crush souls with tales of missed opportunities, Lane deals with a divorce by sleeping with strangers and partying with the wild ones. “This next song is about fucking someone you don’t know yet.” She also admitted to moving to L.A. at 18 to meet boys, before having all the single people introduce themselves to the person next to them. “I’m just trying to get ya’all laid.“

- See more at: http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2015/05/02/hollywood-palomino-night-the-roxy-04-26-15/#sthash.eLN3F9DF.dpuf

Storming the outlaw country genre with a vengeance, Nikki Lane is a welcome figure amongst a traditionally male-dominated genre. Singing unashamedly about lonely one-night stands, shady ex-boyfriends and dodgy fellas, Lane pours her heart out with her music. Penning her heartbreaks she creates pure, Southern country music with a rough, moody and edgy twist. A tall, sombre figure with a perfectly coiffed bush of thick jet black hair and a stern fringe, Lane’s image is in perfect sync with her music. She cuts an imposing figure on stage, but her music cuts through her image to reveal the vulnerability of the singer within. Her music is the type of which we can all relate to. Her lyrics are poignant and heartfelt. Her melodies are beautifully rhythmic and her voice is authentically country. Lane’s music is somewhat reminiscent of 1960s country music, especially tracks such as ‘All or nothin’, but with a contemporary twang that appeals to a modern audience. The orchestral arrangements on her track are stunning and add something just a little extra to her music, whilst the occasional rock and even pop hooks are also to be found. Sad, sassy and stunning, her music is a welcome addition to the outlaw country genre.

My first time seeing Nikki Lane at the Borderline last night was a real pleasure. Supported by Jonathan Tyler, she joined him for one tune. He's from Texas and plays a country blues style with a stoner overlay (or should that be underlay). Ms Lane stepped up in flowery dress and cowboy hat supported by Tyler on guitar and Erica ? on harmony vocal. She interspersed the songs with funny stories and some hilarious asides. The set took in originals, a Merle Haggard tribute (Sing Me Back Home), a duet with Jason (Spiritualised) Pierce - they toured and wrote a song together - closing finally with a sing along You Ain't Goin' Nowhere for which they were joined by a Florida/German duo.

She has new record due soon and said if she's not back touring here by March she expects to be hounded one social media.

This performance was SO good. Lukas Nelson and Nikki Lane are rockstars! The energy they brought was closer to a rock than country show.

Alt-country represented in Brooklyn! Great to see a packed house for the genre at the Music Hall.

I bought a ticket but I couldn't go. I hope it went well. I was so hoping to see and hear you. Hopefully you'll be back to the New England area soon.
Very best wishes for your continued success,
jim harkins

She was kickass and totally brought het albums to life. the openers where phenomenal. Named Clear Plastic Masks awesome selection of merch.

Loved the cobalt venue! Was quaint and cozy with amazing sound.

She is awesome, I can't believe she isn't playing in front of thousands. Never a missed note, always on. Saw her open for Social Distortion and became an instant fan.

I’ve seen Nikki play several times and she was great and it was cool to see her at Globe Hall. Very small and intimate setting. I hope she’s back in Denver soon!