It’s an hour and half before Naïka is due to take the stage at Irving Plaza, plenty of time for fans to grab dinner, a drink, or enjoy the mild early spring night. Yet they’re lined up early, trailing down the street and wrapping around the block, to ensure a prime location inside.
Naïka’s first tour in the U.S., “ECLESIA,” brings her unique brand of jazzy R&B-slash-pop to American audiences.
Inside the venue, the vibe turns tropical. Warm orange lighting catches off an elaborate stage design of greenery a drapes, and a DJ pumps booming house over the crowd. It’s truly packed, more than I’ve seen at Irving Plaza in recent memory. Ahead of her arrival, the audience chants in unison, hitting the three syllables of Naïka’s name in triplicate: “NA-EE-KA, NA-EE-KA, NA-EE-KA.”
When Naïka struts on stage, easily commanding attention in a fluttering red two-piece outfit and hair blowing in the wind, it’s clear why. More than just a concert, fans are here for a party.
A party that Naïka is more than willing to deliver.
Energy Levels
Picture, if you will, a Hollywood beach movie. It’s a humid night at the resort and the outdoor bar and dance floor are overflowing with bodies and sweat and glitter. People have jumped at the first opportunity to break out the silk scarf tops and flowy low-rise skirts. As far as concerts go, it’s easily the most pink-cocktails-per-capita that I’ve seen. Somehow, inexplicably, there are red rose petals scattered across the floor.
This is the vibe that Naïka has curated, a pulsating bass line that thrums through the crowd: sexy, free, fun.
As the suave notes of “BLOOM” trickle through the venue, fans are up and dancing like it’s a club. After the harsh, snowy winter New Yorkers have just persevered through, it’s the kind of hot, steamy dance party we deserve.
Standout Performances
BARELY BARELY: “Barely Barely” is a tropical, smooth production that centers Naïka’s feather-soft vocals. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still pack a punch. The crowd is whipped up even further by Naïka’s mesmerizing, fluid choreo to the rhythmic “dangerous / so dangerous” post chorus. It may seem an interesting choice to have the song so early in the set due to its lighter sound, but in combination with the amber glowing lights that catch off Naïka’s gold jewellery, and the pulsing of the crowd as fans dance, it feels hypnotic.
WHAT A DAY!: One of Naïka’s more outwardly political songs, “What a Day” explores the contrast of Western problems versus the global south. It starts off fairly small: she sings of stress, a broken nail. But later verses grow more serious: “What a day indeed / foreign troops came into Haiti / So much suffering from the greed / and the world keeps going / What a day for crime, kids are dying in Palestinе / Blood is paving Congolese mines, and thе world keeps going.” It has a rousing, choral arrangement that gives the chorus more power – but it’s the audience participation that transforms it. The repeating “Ayy / what a day/ what a day / what a day” originally feels glib, a criticism of how desensitized people are to violence from across the world. But with the voices of fans added, Haitian flags and Palestinian keffiyeh’s being waved from the audience, it builds from unaware to fully aware.
ONE TRACK MIND: The obvious fan favorite of the night, “One Track Mind” is exactly the kind of let-your-hair-down song that fans have been waiting to get loose to. It turns the audience into a dance floor-slash-karaoke session, as fans know every word (including the scathing French outro). Even the “zo-ba-do-ba-do” vocables in the background are sung along to. It may be the latter half of the setlist, and well into the night, but the fans only seem spurred on by the late hour. Jackets and empty plastic cups have been discarded to the edges of the sticky venue floor, surely to be regretted tomorrow, but not even a thought now. The only thing on the crowd’s mind at this point is enjoying the energy of the song.
High Notes
Naïka identifies as a “third culture kid.” With a Haitian mother and French father, she grew up in many places across the world: Kenya, France, South Africa, Vanuatu, Guadaloupe, and the U.S. Her music often dives into her multicultural upbringing, and so does her show: she sings in English, French, and Haitian Creole.
In a quiet moment of the set, before an acoustic version of “Layers,” Naïka takes a moment to reach out to fans in the crowd that may feel the same as her: the ones “in between,” as she calls it.
The difficulty of growing up “third culture” is not being able to connect to others with the same upbringing, even your own parents. It’s something many in New York City can understand, a major multicultural city in and of itself. What makes Naïka’s show so impactful is how she’s able to sing about her own, specific experiences growing up, yet she’s able to connect with everyone in the audience. Naïka’s mission is to create a home for those who “belong everywhere and nowhere.” In the crowd at Irving Plaza, it’s evident she’s succeeded.
For Fans Of
Spicy margs.
If you like your heat in both temperature and flavor, Naïka’s show is right up your alley. Unwavering, bold, and guaranteed to get you up and dancing.
But there’s another layer to this metaphor. For many, it may be tempting to only consume music that’s easy and digestible – the stuff that sounds nice but means nothing. Something you can dance to and turn your brain off, the cloying sticky sweetness of simple syrup and lime juice and a sugar rim.
While Naïka’s music sounds smooth like honey, it’s not one-note sweet. Naïka doesn’t just make dance floor hits, she explores community, identity, diversity, and current events.There’s a depth, complexity, and yes: an unapologetic spice to it.
Verdict
Naïka’s tour is sold out for a reason, but if you can worm your way into getting a ticket, take the opportunity. It might be the last chance to see her in such an intimate venue, as it’s clear much larger things (and venues) are in her future.
The “ECLESIA” tour continues across the U.S. through April, and then hits the European festival circuit this summer with major stops at Fabrique, Razzmatazz, and Sziget.
Be sure to follow Naïka on Instagram and YouTube for updates and news.
Looking for more recaps? Check out our review of Big Ocean in NYC.
