Transitioning into the New Season with Nick Hakim at Lincoln Hall

Article by Lhea Smith // Photos by Edna Holifield

D.C.-born and Brooklyn-based musician Nick Hakim graced Chicago this past Friday with a transcendent performance at Lincoln Hall. In celebration of his fourth studio album, I Can See, released in late July, Hakim has set out on a three-month North American and UK tour, with Chicago among the earlier stops. Hakim has continued to garner a dedicated fanbase through his previous album releases, including Green Twins (2017), his debut consisting of favorites performed on this tour, as well as Cometa (2022), which shares the same mesmerizing vocals and jazz, soul, and psychedelic elements that fans have learned to appreciate. I Can See was revealed to be an album six years in the making. The release began with the first singles, “Real Here Now” and “Water,” followed by three others and then the album itself in July. Consisting of a similar tempo to Cometa, I Can See exhibits vulnerability surrounding one’s character and addictions, as well as a sense of freedom and growth.

Setting the tone before the main act and breaking through the chatter, laughter, and jazz playing through the speakers came opener Arima Ederra. Ederra, an LA-based musician, welcomed the crowd in stylish form, transporting them into a reflective space. Performing songs such as “Gemini Eyes” and “First Time” off her newest album, A Rush to Nowhere, fans stood with their heads tilted up in awe of Ederra’s delicate vocals. Ederra has been touring on and off since May of this year, performing solo shows throughout that time as well as touring with artist Mack Keane in July. While originally from Atlanta, the singer holds Chicago dear to her heart, as she had familial support—her brother—in the crowd that night, even performing fan favorite “Shine,” which she didn’t perform the last time she was in the city. Working as a one-woman team, Ederra actively mixed on stage, demonstrating the range of talents she possesses. Often bringing fans to tears and performing a mix of ballads that leaned into the R&B genre, Ederra successfully established the mood for the night—romantic, introspective, and filled with a true longing in the heart.

As Ederra left the stage, fans waited in anticipation for Hakim. The rails got fuller, spaces became tighter, and the conversation grew louder as people crowded in. Once Hakim took the stage alongside bassist Josh Hari and guitarist Koa Ho, the crowd fell silent. Hakim opened with “Endlessly Waiting,” released as one of five singles from the album. This opening picked back up on the theme of longing as he crooned lyrics of reminiscing and relationships. Increasing fan engagement and calling on the older fans, Hakim smoothly transitioned from “Real Here Now” (2026) to “Qadir” off his 2020 album Will This Make Me Good. As Hakim inched closer to the end of “Qadir,” fans didn’t let it end, continuing the harmonies that follow the end of the song. More upbeat songs such as “Soft Wet Clay” enabled the crowd to go from teary eyes to swaying bodies, and as Hakim mixed and sampled sounds and songs in real time, fans braced themselves for the slow and fast tempos—as well as their sensitive hearts.

Hakim’s MIDI board acted as the other instrumental element of the show, as the only live instruments included piano, guitar, and bass. While Hari and Ho played alongside Hakim, they also provided additional vocals on stage, which became even more apparent when Ederra returned for a collaboration. Returning to the stage for performances of older songs such as “Happen” and “Vertigo” off his 2022 album, Ederra blended beautifully with Hakim, and the crowd fell even more silent in admiration than they did when he first hit the stage. Hakim and Ederra, in collaboration, once again established the intimacy that carried throughout the night. Hakim often sat at the piano throughout most of the show, occasionally standing when needing to readjust, grab his guitar, or when a lyric felt so powerful that sitting was no longer warranted. Hakim, along with Hari, performed with eyes closed, connecting with crowd members who also experienced the show in an eyes-closed daze.

Before officially leaving the stage and the hall lights coming back on, fans shouted for an encore. More specifically, one fan shouted for the 2017 song “Needy Bees” to be performed. That fan didn’t get “Needy Bees” exactly, but got something just as good: “Green Twins” off the same album. As Hakim pressed down on the first chords, the crowd erupted into shouts for the oldest song on the setlist, uniting fans of the album. Performed differently than the album release, Hakim continued with a ballad-like rendition, slowing down the song. Eventually ending on the album’s title track, “I Can See,” Hakim and fans enjoyed their last few minutes together, with couples embracing one another and friends dancing and swaying. As the song ended, fans applauded, whistled, and snapped for the intimate performance. Before Hakim officially left the stage, he showed his gratitude for everyone alongside a reminder to check out the merch booth—where they could find him post-show.