Morgan Nagler’s first UK performance in 17 years kicks off Saturday’s secret sessions at End of the Road

Playing solo with a bright orange Jazzmaster, Nagler introduced her set by reminding us of the beauty of being “without your telephones and out in nature.” And speaking of telephones, the first song she played, “Dad’s On Acid”, was inspired by the time she got ten missed calls from her mother, who was calling to tell her that — you guessed it — her dad was on acid.

She played three other songs from her debut studio album. I've Got Nothing to Lose, and I'm Losing It was released just this year, despite Nagler having built up an inimitable CV in the decades before it. Her credentials include everything from writing with Phoebe Bridgers and HAIM, to acting cameos on Frasier and American Pie 2, to being BFFs with Rilo Kiley. “Cradle the Pain”, “Hammer and Nail” (her favourite on the record), and the album closer “Heartbreak City” were played, with Nagler bringing a fan onstage to sing backing vocals during the latter.

Her chosen cover was by the “late and certainly great” Daniel Johnston: “Hey Joe” from Hi, How Are You (1983). “It was one of the first songs I ever learnt on guitar so I’ve just been playing it my whole musical life,” Nagler told Best Fit before the show. “It sometimes brings me to tears honestly. I think all of his writing is really painfully pure and beautiful.” She was introduced to the tune via Austin art-rock artist Kathy McCarty’s album Dead Dog's Eyeball: Songs of Daniel Johnston. Nagler says her version skews closer to McCarty’s, but with some altered lyrics that have crystallised as she's performed the song live several times over the years.

Nagler will play another set at 5:15 pm on the Talking Heads stage. Best Fit’s secret sessions continue throughout the weekend. Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates.