Live: Nahko And Medicine For The People @ Electric Ballroom.

by | Jan 24, 2016

Live: Nahko and Medicine for The People.

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

“Not really sure what to expect tonight” was my response to a number of people asking about the Nahko and Medicine for The People gig at the Electric Ballroom.  The fact that it had been moved from a temporarily closed Shepherd’s Bush Empire proved their ability to fill a big venue, but despite their worldwide hit video Aloha ke Akua having over 4.7 million views, they remain relatively unknown in the UK.  I shouldn’t have been concerned; whereas some bands just play a collection of songs, Nahko and MFTP give a full on performance with extended versions of album tracks, mash-up’s of songs from rock to reggae, and a genuine feeling that you’re having the best time ever.

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

They’re led by the enigmatic Nahko Bear, who’s an interesting mix of Apache, Puerto Rican & Filipino descent, and who commands the stage and the band throughout the evening.  Unsurprisingly, this racial mix drives a similarly eclectic approach in their musical style and lyrical content, and its fair to say they deliver songs with a strong social conscience and awareness of living in harmony with each other and nature.  However, live they’re really hard to categorize and the best that I could do would be Counting Crows meets Arrested Development.  But even that doesn’t do justice to the broad range of songs that we were treated to tonight.

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

It was always going to be a good night as Nahko’s appearance triggered a slightly early singing of Happy Birthday from the crowd, which seemed to take even him by surprise.   Having thanked the crowd, the band launched into Directions and a much rockier than the album version of Vultures of Culture, complete with interplay with bassist Patricio Zuñiga and a few of Nahko’s trademark leaps in the air.  This led perfectly into the up-tempo Risk It with its messages of positive imagination and hope for the future, and which was a great example of how to extend a 5 minute album track into a 10 minute celebration.

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

However, these few songs just set the scene, and it was in the middle section where things got really interesting and eclectic, starting with  We Shall Overcome, a track not on any previous albums. Inspired by a poem that Nahko had read, it had a wonderful chilled Ibiza groove thanks to bassist Patricio, and violinist Tim, and featured a vocal reminiscent of Craig David.  Then in the next song drummer Justin “Chitty” Chittins came out from behind the kit for a hip hop mash up duet with Nahko of a whole load of songs, merged seamlessly into one monologue. Adele’s “Hello”, HQ Rox’s “I Cant feel my Face”, Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” all within one song?  Sounds messy, but it worked perfectly.

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

A violin intro from Tim then led us into the world of reggae with the wonderful spaced feel of Great Spirit, and the powerful Warrior People with its messages around equality and the treatment of native Americans. And of course in amongst all this there’s space for Aloha ke Akua, which has the whole crowd singing with hands aloft throughout.  There’s even space in there for a bit of R&B with Blackstreet’s No Diggety thrown in for good measure

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

Nahko & Medicine for the People with their eclectic mix of music with a social concious at the Electric Ballroom, Camden, London (Andy Sampson)

So I’m sure by now you would have got the message.  Musically eclectic, with a spirit of community, social change and belonging to the planet is what the band are all about.  And live they translate this into a properly entertaining set that never seems like its preaching, but makes you think about things in the best possible way.  By putting a smile on your face.  Job done.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00009If2smVLiD0″ g_name=”Nahko-And-Medicine-For-The-People” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Nahko and Medicine for The People

Live Review & Photography by Andy Sampson at the Electric Ballroom on 21 January 2016

Andy has his own great site here: www.soundritual.co.uk

The Jacques (Nick Sayers)

The Jacques Announce Riotous New Single ‘All The Other Sinners’ Ahead of Second Album ‘Make Repetition!’

London/Bristol alt-rock trio The Jacques are ramping up momentum ahead of their second album Make Repetition! with the release of their blistering new single All The Other Sinners — a searing, melody-drenched slice of chaos and catharsis out now.

Cam @ The Tabernacle (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Cam Captivates London With A Night Of Raw Vocals And Real Stories At The Tabernacle

In a sweltering Tabernacle, a somehow both vast and intimate venue, a sweat-soaked audience filled every seat for...
J.Fla (Press)

J.Fla Redefines Herself With Empowering New Single ‘Stellar Paradox’

South Korean singer-songwriter and YouTube sensation J.Fla has taken a giant leap into the cosmos with her newest release, Stellar Paradox, marking the start of a bold new chapter in her musical journey. Known to millions for her viral YouTube covers, J.Fla now turns the spotlight firmly onto her own voice with a genre-blending, emotionally charged original that paves the way for her highly anticipated upcoming EP, due in late summer 2025.

Chloe Qisha @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Chloe Qisha Closes The Rainbow Stage In Style At BST Hyde Park 2025

After a tempestuous afternoon that saw Hyde Park lashed by torrential rain and set times thrown into flux, it was Chloe Qisha who restored the calm — and then brought the fire — as she closed the Rainbow Stage on Sunday evening with a confident, emotionally astute set that proved worth the wait.

Lusaint (Jade Vowles)

Lusaint Captures The Ache Of A Sunlit Longing With New Single ‘Summertime’ Ahead Of ‘The Apothecary’ EP

Rising Mancunian star Lusaint has unveiled her latest single Summertime, a smoky, jazz-laced track brimming with emotion and understated power. Arriving in the wake of earlier 2025 releases Joking and Neon Lights, Summertime serves as the final preview before the release of her hotly anticipated new EP The Apothecary, due later this summer.

Tanner Adell @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Tanner Adell Brings Southern Sparkle To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival often dominated by heavyweight pop, Tanner Adell’s mid-afternoon set on the Rainbow Stage offered a thrilling detour into rhinestone-studded country pop — with a Gen Z twist and plenty of attitude. On a stacked BST Hyde Park Sunday that saw Sabrina Carpenter headline the Great Oak Stage for the second time of the weekend, it was Adell who delivered one of the day’s most memorable performances before the heavens opened and drenched London in a biblical downpour.

Gracie Abrams @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gracie Abrams Brings Intimacy And Surprise To BST Hyde Park 2025

Gracie Abrams, the rising pop luminary from Los Angeles, California, delivered a spellbinding set opening for Vermont’s Noah Kahan at BST Hyde Park on 4th July 2025. At just 25, Abrams has built a devoted fanbase drawn to her confessional lyricism and delicate vocal delivery — and her mid-afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage proved why she’s become one of pop’s most emotionally resonant voices.

The Royston Club (Sam Crowston)

The Royston Club Reveal Tender New Single ‘Cariad’ Ahead Of Anticipated Second Album ‘Songs For The Spine’

The Royston Club are stepping firmly into the indie-rock spotlight with the upcoming release of their second album, Songs For The Spine, set for 8th August. Following the Top 20 success of their debut, the Wrexham quartet return with soaring momentum: vinyl pre-orders sold out in minutes, streaming numbers rising, and a loyal, lyric-chanting fanbase that packs out venues across the UK.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing