On a rainy night in Nottingham, Miles Kane turned the small Rough Trade stage into a riot of sound and connection, and I was lucky enough to be right in the middle of it. Seeing him live and meeting him was an incredible experience that will forever be etched in my mind.
His venue of choice was Nottingham’s Rough Trade, a quiet and intimate setting, ideal for capturing the essence of the gig and fostering rapport with the fans. This venue has quickly become one of my favourites, with cases of musical equipment doubled as furniture, adding to the venue’s charm. With just 150 people packed inside, I felt like being part of one big family of friends. Kane’s set was short, only performing 8 songs in total, which allowed him to focus on meeting his fans, reinforcing that connection with his fan base.
Firstly, he began with songs from his upcoming album ‘Sunlight in the Shadows.’ Kane has an extremely distinct voice which carries itself so perfectly across a room. No matter where you stood, you felt close, and the whole room seemed to agree. ‘Love is Cruel’ and ‘Electric Flower’ were quite possibly two of the most outstanding songs I’ve ever heard live, which holds much value coming from a frequent gig goer. ‘Rearrange’ was comfortably my favourite song of the day, and judging by the cheers around me, I was not the only one who thought the same. It’s one I have listened to for years and never gotten tired of, which is a testament to Kane’s sensational songwriting ability. Beneath warm lights, Kane’s melodic delivery still commanded the room with effortless ease.
At this point, the masses were climbing on chairs to get a better view of this masterpiece, myself included. ‘Come Closer’ came soon after. It was one of those rare gig moments when the entire room felt united by lyrics and melody; A wall of singing reverberated throughout the venue as the smell of beer filled the air. Miles Kane finished his set with ‘Sunlight in the Shadows’, a song sharing the name of his upcoming album. Emotions were exceptionally high at this point, and it was certain that all would reminisce about this for days to come.
Next came the signing and a long queue. People flooded the merch table to get their time with Kane and tell him how his music meant to them. The queue had died down after an hour, which is when I had joined, filled with anticipation. Miles was nothing short of lovely, and it was clear how much he valued his fans for putting him where he is now. This was easily a top 5 gig for me, with meeting him being the cherry on top.
For fans and newcomers alike, a Miles Kane show is not just a gig, but a reminder of why live music still matters.
Words & Photos: Belle Smith
