Live Review: Youn Sun Nah at the K-Music Festival

Platforming some of Korea’s leading artists, the K-Music Festival gives us all an opportunity to explore and relish the rich diversity of artistry Korea has to offer. From the National Changgeuk Opera Company debuting their production of Lear to the No Noise ensemble, performing with the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, there is a fantastic line up to experience.

International award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer Youn Sun Nah performed at Union Chapel, London on October 6^th as part of the festival, marking her 30 year career. Performing with multiple award-winning pianist Bojan Z this was a concert full of soul enriching music, astounding musicianship and a level of artistry I have truly never seen.

Youn Sun Nah somehow manages to combine strength, power and intense drama with a beautifully honest sense of vulnerability and lightness. I have never seen anything like it. The setting was perfect. Union Chapel is a stunning venue and despite the huge space, Youn brought us all in, closer and made it feel like a truly intimate space where we were honoured to be. A space where she was free to be, free to express, free to share her immense artistry with us.

Released in August of this year, Youn’s Elles album is a stunning collection of interpretations of female led songs, songwriters and performers, including Sarah Vaughan, Edith Piaf, Bjork and Maria João, many of which she performed tonight. ‘Killing Me Softly’ performed with just voice and Kalimba was a captivating and stunningly beautiful reimagining of this classic which even included a moment of audience participation where Youn’s connection with the audience was on full display. The audience sang elegantly and unobtrusively, understanding the delicacy of this moment. This was beautiful and powerful.

In complete contrast ‘I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango)’ was a masterclass in technical and performance virtuosity from both Youn and Bojan. Influenced by Grace Jones’ rendition of the Astor Piazzolla classic, Youn demonstrated her exhilarating and unique interpretive skills. Tango, musical theatre, chanson, opera and jazz performed with an intense sensuality and power – it was all there in this one performance. The skilful way that Youn used her voice to emulate a range of instruments and percussive sounds, using an incredible vocal range was astounding. She was living and breathing her instrumentation. Truly phenomenal.

Youn has been inspired by the legendary Norma Winstone for many years ( I will explore this more an upcoming interview with Youn) and she ended her performance with a jaw dropping performance of ‘Just Sometimes’. The emotional intensity of this performance was remarkable and I was not the only one who shed a few tears during this performance. Such a deeply emotive performance, it was Oscar worthy.

Youn Sun Nah is a performer like no other. The audience were completely – and quite rightly – captivated throughout. We were transported to another world. A world of virtuosity, vulnerability, eloquence, beauty, empowerment, vulnerability and truly astounding storytelling. Youn Sun Nah was – is – magnificent.

I must thank Steve Rose from Measure PR. Discovering Youn’s work has been a gift and I was thrilled to speak to her recently to explore her work. Interview coming soon.