A Concert Aligned with Demand
Nadia Batson’s ARTFORM Experience returned to Brooklyn this past Sunday, June 29th, bringing the amphitheater at Restoration Plaza to life with a concert that was both fete and showcase, anchored by an artist who understands precisely what her audience wants. Batson, who has hosted ARTFORM in New York for several years, did not simply perform; she matched her catalogue with the tastes of the diaspora in attendance, reflecting a near-perfect alignment between what she delivered on stage and what her listeners have been playing in the weeks leading up to the event.
The marketing began in mid-April, with Batson using her own Instagram to preview songs and maintain direct connection with her followers, while targeted radio spins on WBLS kept her sound circulating in New York. Her 2019 single “FATT” returned to WBLS in May and June with four spins, including two during the week of the show, keeping her voice in the city’s airwaves as ARTFORM approached. “Soca Party,” produced by Swick B, held its steady presence on radio, while “So Long” continued to enjoy consistent airplay across stations throughout New York.
On iTunes (World) charts in the United States, Batson’s audience signaled readiness in the weeks leading up to ARTFORM. “Coffee,” her 2024 release produced by Papo Productions, reappeared for three consecutive days in late May, marking its first chart return since February. “Best In A While,” produced by Don Iko and Quiet Storm, saw a flurry of activity from March onward, while “Bartender” returned in late May and mid-June, then spent multiple days on the chart during the event week, peaking at #51 on the day of the show. “In Meh Space,” also produced by Quiet Storm, reached its highest position in May, while “Market” held steady on the reggae chart, and “Everytime” from 2023 continued its intermittent presence.
The alignment between Batson’s setlist and these data signals was evident. On stage, she performed “Market”, “Fattt”, “Coffee”, “Fallin”, “Bartender”,”In Meh Space”, “Best In A While”, and “Catching Feelings”, among others, matching what her audience had been revisiting on their own devices in the lead-up to the event while offering additional tracks to round out the evening.
This year’s ARTFORM was billed as Nadia Batson Live with Full Band + Special Guests, with Voice (Trinidad & Tobago), Alison Hinds (Barbados), Kerwin Du Bois (Trinidad & Tobago), and Anika Berry (Trinidad & Tobago) announced in advance. On the day, Rane, DEV, and Taller Dan and others joined the lineup, providing the audience with a full cast of performers that brought depth to the experience while keeping Batson at the center.
The event was both concert and fete. Batson emerged in a royal purple NY Yankees fitted, an homage to Brooklyn energy that resonated with the flags waving in the crowd, a testament to the Caribbean diversity in attendance—from Trinbagonian and Bajan to Guyanese, Jamaican, and other caribbean communities who found familiar sounds in her set. During the performance, Batson remarked, “Management, we’re going to need a bigger venue,” a telling reflection of the turnout and the atmosphere in the courtyard that afternoon.
Restoration Plaza’s amphitheater, which holds an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people, was a fitting venue for Batson, whose expanding catalogue and consistent delivery continue to resonate with Brooklyn’s Caribbean community, a population that exceeds 300,000.
For Batson, ARTFORM was more than a performance; it was a demonstration of an artist tuned into her audience, meeting them with the songs they actively stream while delivering the celebratory spirit that defines a Caribbean summer gathering. As one attendee summed it up simply, “10 outta 10… party nice.”
Listen to Nadia Batson catalogue on Spotify here:
