The London stop on their current tour proved to be an electric moment in their meteoric rise, as fans packed the venue to bask in the band’s shimmering grooves and vocal harmonies that felt both timeless and achingly contemporary. The energy inside The Roundhouse was palpable even before the band stepped on stage. The historic venue, its circular architecture lending an almost ritualistic feel, became a temple for Say She She’s blend of disco, funk, and soul.

Front and centre was Nya Gazelle Brown, radiant and commanding, her presence amplified by the visible strength of performing while heavily pregnant. It spoke volumes about the ethos of Say She She: bold, unrelenting, and rooted in feminine power. Alongside her bandmates Piya Malik and Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, Brown delivered harmonies that felt less like music and more like an invocation, weaving the audience into their sonic tapestry. 

The setlist leaned heavily on material from their second album, which has solidified their place as purveyors of modern funk with a vintage soul. The most magnetic moment of the night came during “Astral Plane” a track whose swirling melodies and soaring choruses seemed tailor-made for The Roundhouse’s acoustics. Fans swayed, hands raised, as the song’s celestial groove transcended the room’s physical space. The interplay of lush instrumentation—bubbling basslines, shimmering guitars, and the crystalline tones of their voices—was nothing short of hypnotic.

But Say She She’s appeal lies not just in their music but in their connection with the audience. Between songs, the band were engaging without it feeling forced, reflecting on the journey that brought them from small club gigs to sold-out shows at iconic venues like this one. Brown, in particular, received an emotional ovation when she paused to acknowledge the significance of performing while on the cusp of motherhood, a moment that added depth to the evening’s communal vibe. 

The band’s influences are easy to pinpoint—Chic, Donna Summer, and the cosmic jazz of Sun Ra—but their ability to distill these into something wholly their own is what sets them apart. As the final notes rang out and the band took their bows, the crowd’s roar was deafening, a clear testament to Say She She’s ability to transport listeners to a place of joy and connection. On this chilly Camden night, the band didn’t just warm the room—they set it ablaze. Say She She is no mere revival act; they have the potential to be the architects of a new soul revolution.

Words and Photos: Thomas Jackson