AMPED – NADIA SHEIKH - NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Genre bending bi-lingual singer songwriter Nadia Sheikh has to be one of the most accomplished young artists of the Amped competition. With positive reviews and air play as far as BBC 6 Music, Radio X and Planet Rock the self-proclaimed ‘Spanglish’ London singer/songwriter is turning all the right heads. She has graced stages at Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Spain’s Bennicasim festivals and supported Stereophonics on a European tour back in 2020. With a brand new single Neverending Trial just released this month and an EP of the same title due for release later this year, Nadia is on course to make 2023 the biggest yet.

Competing in our London Amped Competition semi-final last month (which will prize the winner £5 and a slot on this year’s Lakefest main stage) Nadia Sheikh was one of just 25 artists who made the exclusive cut from over 500 entries. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be this time but it was such an incredible performance that we had to catch up with the woman herself.

How would you describe your sound in three words?

Alternative Pop Rock

Shortlisted from 543 artists down to just 25 – how did that feel?

It was such an honour to be chosen from such a big pool of people! Specially with so many great bands and peers in the mix too!

Most competitions have only one winner, were you shocked to find out there was also an opportunity to play the Amped stage?

It’s great that rather than just make it a big competitive thing, they’ve made community out of it and still champion all the bands that got pre-selected!

You are playing the Amped stage – what can festival goers expect from your set?

Some of the songs off my upcoming EP “Neverending Trial” and the last one “Undefined” and probably some new tunes too.

Who is one band/artist you want to catch at Lakefest?

Johnny Marr is going to be great! And McFly will be a super fun set for sure. I saw The Native at The Great Escape a few weeks ago and they were great too

Who stood out for you at the semi final?

Loved the energy of Gentlemen and the Few and they played so well. Jordan Hemingway’s voice is also amazing. Everyone killed it though!

Of all the bands competing who would you like to see win the prize?

Ohh that’s a tricky one! I haven’t seen all the other finalists play, so wouldn’t know what to say!!

What else have you got planned as a band this year?

I have some more music dropping before my upcoming EP ” Neverending Trial” comes out in September and we have two very special headlines in Manchester and London on 28th and 29th September, so really looking forward to those!

One track of yours that everybody should listen to?

Neverending Trial, it just came out!!