NIKI causes a Buzz across Manchester, as she brings her world tour to the Ritz
On the 6th November, NIKI packed out the O2 Ritz in her first visit to Manchester as a part of her ‘Buzz’ world tour, promoting the new album of the same name.
One notable thing was the similar dress sense by many members of the crowd, in a garden party theme – as orchestrated by Niki on her social media. The togetherness and cohesion of the crowd was something that continued as the gig began to start.
With a pre-show playlist consisting of throwback bangers including Taylor Swift and the Rascal Flatts, the crowd were more than warmed up for the 1 hour 15 minute set that was to follow.
The house lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted as the stage lights began to flash and buzzing sound effects emerged from the speakers. NIKI and her band entered the stage to rapturous cheers as the first notes of her single ‘Too Much of a Good Thing’ rang out. Back-to-back bangers followed with short stories about the origins of the tracks. Favourites such as ‘Colossal Loss’, ‘Blue Moon’ and a medley of 'Focus', 'Lowkey' and 'Autumn' lead us to the midpoint of the set, with the crowd’s energy still high.
Pink lighting illuminated the simplistic stage set, as NIKI introduced a cover which she dubbed as ‘one of the greatest pop songs of all time’ – a full crowd singalong to Katy Perry’s 2010 hit ‘The One That Got Away’ followed, a highlight of the concert for sure.
After the applause settled, the lights came up and NIKI was now sat, acoustic guitar in hand to play a few stripped-back songs. A sea of phone torchlights illuminated the former 1920s dancehall as NIKI sprung into ‘Did You Like Her in The Morning’, “La La Lost You’ & ‘Oceans & Engines’.
Aleena, a NIKI fan who attended the gig, said “it was one of the most beautiful concerts I’ve ever been to, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. Her acoustic set was amazing and had me welling up.”
The gig then transformed into its powerful conclusion, with an epic guitar solo from guitarist Jacob Brown, who came centre stage to conclude the rendition of ‘Nothing Can’. Popular track ‘High School in Jakarta’ and new, album track ‘Tsunami’ almost concluded the set, but the gig could not finish without the tour’s namesake track ‘Buzz’.
The band, all on stage in matching black hi-vis jackets playing the finale of the show, which even led to NIKI herself, spinning around on the floor, whilst still playing the closing guitar chords. Bows were taken to applause and there was no encore needed in this gig as NIKI left everything out on stage.
NIKI continues the 'Buzz World Tour' across Asia, Australia and New-Zealand in February next year with tickets on-sale soon at https://nikizefanya.com/
Follow NIKI on socials, @nikizefanya, and her album Buzz is out everywhere now.
Concert attended and reviewed by Adam Skinn & Matt Hallsworth
