Photo by Molly Daniel

Last Friday, British singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya hit the Sinclair in support of her most recent album Painless, which dropped back in March. Though she’s been releasing solo material since 2016, Yanya’s profile really started to shoot up with the release of Miss Universe in 2019. She added to that a tandem of EPs the past two years, which primed her for a live set loaded with plenty of tracks to choose from. 

Plenty of locals were eager to come out for her set, leaving little room on the floor of the Sinclair. After support from Ada Lea and Tasha (both of whom played beautifully), it was Yanya’s night, and she made it one to remember. The openers were a little more lowkey and atmospheric, easing the crowd into a relaxed state that gave the headlining act all the more focus. Not to say that those opening acts aren’t deserving of their own spotlights, but Yanya’s music has a bit more energetic catchiness, especially for a Friday night in May.

In addition to her own material, Yanya rocked the house with a cover of PJ Harvey’s “Rid of Me,” which she has been busting out in live performances lately. While it doesn’t stray too far from Harvey’s original, Yanya’s cover maintains the song’s dynamic push-pull energy. It’s not surprising that Yanya is a PJ Harvey fan; both artists find a striking balance in presenting vulnerability amidst a swirl of intensity and aggression. 

Definitely try to catch Nilüfer Yanya as she continues her tour or on the festival circuit this summer.