Gig Review: Nation of Language at Village Underground

Nation of Language and Friko make night two of Nation of Language’s three-night Village Underground residency a memorable one

Nation of Language are a band that drew my attention ever since wondering randomly onto the Woods stage at End of the Road to capture their brilliance in the late afternoon idealistic Sailsbury sun. Their three-night residency at Village Underground (packed, oversold and impossible to move but with beautiful sound quality as always), was therefore going to be a high point: a chance to see them live in an intimate setting as opposed to the open festival fields.

New star rising Friko are first up; having recently headlined a show at Moth Club in Hackney; and already show they’re built for bigger and better things. Quick note here: I had the chance to check out Radio Free Alice on the same day at an early popup show in Bermondsey beneath a train station – who were also excellent, so you’d be hard pushed to find a better combination of three bands anywhere else across two venues. Friko are American but like the best American bands sound like they should be a British band and have the endearing awkwardness that makes them instantly relatable and honest.

Their setlist is instantly memorable, and they even have time for a Joy Division cover that fits naturally and honestly into their set like it was their own single – making such a unique Ian Curtis sound and making it their own always takes some going. From their original material: ‘Choo Choo’ is a particular highlight – a song about trains, so of course I was going to love it – these songs just spiral in a dizzy buzzle about the joy of riding back to family that anyone who’s spent time on the road or lived away from home can relate to – the sense of place and time that echoes the beat days of Kerouac and the classic American road movies in feel; given a hopeful indie rock melody that feels euphoric and infectious. The crowd are as packed out for Friko as they are for Nation of Language, and you can tell they have booked a good support act here and there – Friko being instantly visceral and eye-catching with an impressively intricate and detailed set that’s tight and proficient. “I wish I took the train today, I Wish I took the train everyday,” frontman Niko Kapetan sings like the endless hustle is getting to him and the endless life on the road would be thrown out of the way in favour of a 9-5 job of routine, structure and desk duties.

Also a standout: ‘Hot Air Balloon’ – which cements Friko as brutally honest and capable of being refused to be put in a box of fame – “I don’t want none of it!” he yells in desperation – calling to arms for anonymity that may be fading away from them. This thrives in their sense of need to get creative; to challenge their boundaries and embrace maximalism. Their new project is a delight – one of 2026’s best indie rock albums, and unfortunately if ‘Hot Air Balloon’ is anything to go by – the anonymity that Kapetan craves may be a thing of the past. This is a band that could reach big venues but will always feel more at home playing in pubs like MOTH or the Windmill. If you like Modest Mouse and Car Seat Headrest you’ll have found a latest obsession in these Chicago Natives – there’s also a touch of Sparks in Kapetan’s witticisms, with Korgan Robb on guitar,  Bailey Minzenberger on drums and David Fuller on bass rounding out the collective that feel incredibly unique in their talent: An 80s nostalgia synth-driven band like Nation of Language are always hard to find supports for – do you look forward or back? And in Friko – they’ve found the perfect answer: both – the need to reinvent whilst being unafraid to lay their influence bare.

Nation of Language are up next, and the setlist is curated this day by Alex MacKay, bassist, who thanks everyone for coming on his night, with Ian Devaney leading the fray with lead vocals, guitar and synth. Joined by Aiden Noell on synth they make a fascinating nostalgia-tinted band that offer something new. ‘Spare Me the Decision’ opens and they are away – firing on all cylinders. They’ve discovered a miracle hangover-cure pill; but won’t spill the beans – and are in excellent form all things considered. Already they’ve fallen for Village Underground’s charms and call it a second home, winning a packed crowd over. I would’ve loved more room to dance as it’s not until the end where people start leaving early for last trains that we can properly boogie – but to see Nation of Language in full in their groove is a rare treat – just shining on all cylinders and arguably the best I’ve ever seen them.

‘The Grey Commute’ – an onslaught on capitalism (“broken hands / begging at the altar of the grey commute… promising the world if we could only bear the cost / picking out the change from your purse and your pockets” are two pointed lyrics), ‘September Again’ and ‘This Fractured Mind’ – a searingly honest self-critique - come next, Alex’s set being curated to perfection as Nation of Language pull from A Way Forward, their second album, and it immediately becomes apparent what album Alex considers his favourite. It’s a full synth revival that allows them to hit the emotional high notes – kinda like a Robert Smith fronted Kraftwerk for those unfamiliar with Nation of Language’s unique sound.

 It’s a throwback but also a place that asks where synth-pop should be and whether it should exist in 2026, and the answer based on the first track alone is very much yes. The retro-groove plunges Nation of Language into a different era entirely, existing in a niche that’s outside shape or form. Introduction, Presence gets a good lengthy runout, the band robbed of a debut tour due to the 2020 Pandemic, with each album getting four songs each. Much of the back half is reserved for the debut: ‘Indignities’ into ‘On Division Street’; my favourite Nation of Language song – is all-timer. Devaney wins over the crowd for ‘On Division Street’ with a War on Drugs-style sound that evokes inner nostalgia, perfect for a warm summer evening. Each band has time for one stand out cover – the Kinks’ ‘Strangers’ is selected by Alex, a bit ropey, but charmingly disarming for the evening – and test Devaney’s improvisation skills. This is a change from a Pete Twonshend cover that opened night one and ‘Guns of Brixton’ cover that closed night three in memorable style – and whilst let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to see Nation of Language cover The Clash? I’m happy with the song that we got on our night – and there really is – having looked at the setlist – a demand and variety that would justify people attending all three nights of their residency.

The encore is reserved for a barnstormer of a back-to-back Nation of Language staple that win over the crowd as they don’t look like they want to leave. ‘A New Goodbye’ is immediately followed by ‘Weak in Your Light’ and then into ‘Inept Apollo’ a late addition not printed on the setlist, for a gloriously bombastic farewell tinged with nostalgia and excess. Notably absent from night two is ‘Dance Called Memory’ – which gets the runout on night three, but in terms of an intimate deep dive into Nation of Language’s back catalogue fans couldn’t have been better suited. Bravo Alex; what a wonderful setlist that was.

Photogrpahy of nation of language by Ebru Yıldız, photography of friko by Ava Blanchette @escyume