Accompanying the release of her third studio album, Nao presents us with a live performance of ‘And Then Life Was Beautiful’, the title track of the upcoming LP. Directed and choreographed by London based Alexandra Green, the visual is a continuous one shot that captures Nao and her chorus of singers in an emotive performance, and seemingly as one being.

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Alexandra Green ‘I felt immediately connected to the track and equally now the visual. It feels like a full representation of my core values, as well as a lot of those who were involved. The moment I heard the track I knew that it was special and wanted to make something that felt commanding, sensual and empowering. I wanted to create a moment that focused on the raw, visceral beauty of the singers to create something that felt equally emotional and engaging. Nao and the singers were mesmerising —  both on and off the camera —  and I really wanted to give their performance space to breathe. I believe there is a beauty in simplicity, and the women held the space so intensely and with so much strength; it was inspiring to watch it unfold.

During the rehearsal process there was this incredible moment with Nao and the singers where they were sitting in a circle working through the track. It felt like a really intimate moment that I was allowed to witness, similar to what I have with the dancers I work with in the studio. There was a palpable sense of love and joy that I feel really translates in the visual.

I had a very clear idea of how I wanted to develop the movement alongside the vocals. I knew that I didn’t want anything too complicated, and that in a space like St John at Hackney, it was important to think about how the architecture fed into and related to the visual - how the 7 women were placed in space and time as the scene unfolds to create striking imagery.

After over a year of not experiencing live music, it felt very emotional hearing the voices of Nao and her singers. I don’t think I truly realised how much I had missed it until that point, and I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to develop a visual that matched the stunning vocals. There is something I really love about a one shot - potentially as it plays into my background in choreography, developing and rehearsing something over and over again, and then getting it right a handful of times. Not only is it a testament to the talent of the people involved but it’s a real moment when you get the take you love.

The energy on set felt intensely powerful and beautiful but simultaneously calm and gentle - a combination of a female driven crew and a supportive space where I felt so in awe of everyone. The whole process was a dream. So many exceptionally talented people had an invaluable input to create something that I hope inspires people in the way that the song and experience has inspired me, providing a feeling of togetherness after a period of collective separation.’

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