NIKI performs during Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Aug. 12, 2023. STAFF.

SAN FRANCISCO — Singer-songwriter NIKI showed some impressive musical versatility in her first performance at Outside Lands on Saturday. The Jakarta-born 88Rising artist writes, produces and records her own music and that grasp of her own material showed in her performance. Her set offered a little bit of everything from pop anthems to energetic and emotional rock-sounding songs and quiet acoustic ballads.

Flanked by a drummer, guitarist, bassist and violinist, the 23-year-old, born Nicole Zefanya, showed an impressive range from the start. That band rocked out to an extended instrumental, setting the stage for her entrance.

NIKI performs during Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Aug. 12, 2023.

“This is my first time ever playing Outside Lands!” NIKI announced to the crowd excitedly after the opening song. Of course, she’s not new to festivals, and as one of the first successful artists for her label, she’s played at large festivals like Head in the Clouds.

Taking the stage with an acoustic guitar in hand she opened with the mid-tempo “Before,” then picking up the pace for “Keeping Tabs.” Her voice was as versatile as her music, shifting from soaring heights to a whisper.

“This song is about Facebook,” she said before launching into ballad “Facebook Friends.”

The songs were personal and introspective, opening a window into her life. They were breezy and intimate. On “High School In Jakarta,” clearly about a personal experience, a key shift on the bridge led to a massive jump-along.

NIKI is on the road in support of her 2022 album, Nicole, and just about half of the material came from that album. She kept the banter fairly short, but was personable when she talked between songs.

“This song is about losing someone to New York and being really salty about it,” she said before moving into “La La Lost You.” She closed out her set with “lowkey” and “Every Summertime.” The latter song apropos, referencing rushing through the nearby Outer Richmond neighborhood in a taxi after staying out late and missing class.