Following the return of live shows, Nicholson performed her first ever gig outside of her native North East: on the mainstage at Wilderness Festival no less, opening up for Jamie XX and Bicep. No pressure. More festivals followed for the soloist including All Points East, Cambridge Folk, Alt-Escape, Live At Leeds and Liverpool Sound City, before Northern Music Trust commissioned Nicholson to form a band and headline Sage 2 for their debut show.