CLASH Live in collaboration with WeAre8...
14 · 11 · 2025
Last night in East London, attendees got a preview of what to expect at this year's The Great Escape. The launch event celebrated the first fifty artists set to perform at Brighton's premier festival next year, leaving the city adorned with seagull motifs. Despite the pouring rain, it felt like a fitting homage to the seaside town we will all be heading to in May.
The festivities kicked off at CLASH’s takeover of The Jago, a smoky, divey venue just off the main street in Dalston. Upon entering through the side door, you are greeted by a stage featuring the best of the First Fifty.
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First up was Dermot Henry, performing solo with his guitar, cables trailing to catch the light. With a mop of brown hair and an open face, his music is characterized by a folky sincerity. A drumbeat from upstairs fills the space, and Henry cleverly incorporates it as a click track to blend with his performance. He is currently in the studio, recording new material, and has already completed eight songs.
Following him was Isak Benjamin, a more subdued presence. Accompanied by keys, guitar, and a drummer, the stage begins to feel more expansive. The standout moment was his track ‘Two Souls’ from his latest EP, capturing the essence of a particularly bad night. Benjamin's evocative line, “Why are you in my dreams? Why am I on my knees?” resonates deeply. Sporting a Western snap shirt, he later infuses a Middle-American country twang into the performance.
Then there was Tommy WÁ, the highlight of the evening, who played tracks from his latest EP, ‘Somewhere Only We Go’. Dressed in a busker's hat, it was evident that WÁ prioritizes live performances above all else. He radiates energy on stage, creating a sense of homecoming. Though he is a crooner, there is also a grittiness to his voice.
Now, it’s the morning after, and WÁ has taken to Instagram to announce something we will learn more about later today. “It’s something I’ve prayed for, and I hope it is received well,” he states. Exciting news is on the horizon.
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Words: Kate Jeffrie
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Last night in East London, people experienced a preview of what to expect at this year's The Great Escape. The event took place to honor the initial fifty artists.