New Wave Lights Up the Jazz Cafe with 2026 Soundwave

New Wave’s 2026 Soundwave show at the Jazz Cafe felt like a moment the community had been waiting for. On the 29th of January, anticipation built steadily from early evening into nightfall, with fans, artists, and supporters gathering outside the world renowned venue, ready to be part of something special. As the doors opened, the Jazz Cafe quickly filled with conversation, laughter, and expectation, the kind of atmosphere that signals a night built on shared love for music. The space carried a familiar warmth, but there was a heightened energy in the air, a sense that this Soundwave edition was set to leave a lasting impression.

Photo Credit: Victoria S

As the crowd settled in, New Wave DJ PDR took control of the room, continuing his exceptional run of sets at New Wave shows hosted at the Jazz Cafe. His smooth, carefully curated selections guided the sold out crowd into the evening, balancing calm and momentum in a way that allowed people to arrive fully in the moment. Each transition felt intentional, gently lifting the mood while leaving room for conversation and anticipation. It was a reminder of PDR’s role in shaping the identity of these nights, creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming while subtly preparing the audience for the live performances ahead.

Host Vinch soon followed, stepping on stage to connect directly with the audience and anchor the evening. With an easy confidence, he spoke about what the night would hold, setting expectations while celebrating the excitement and love of music that had drawn everyone together. As he spoke, the venue continued to fill, with guests taking their seats on the top floor while others packed closely together below. The Jazz Cafe became a sea of faces, the energy rising as the room reached capacity, creating the perfect moment to introduce the night’s opening act.

Photo Credit: Victoria S

Leonie and her band took to the stage as the first live performance of the evening, immediately shifting the atmosphere into something intimate and reflective. She performed a selection of songs from her EP It Could Have Been Nice, alongside her popular single Groupie, her soft vocals floating gently across the room. There was a quiet confidence in her delivery, supported beautifully by her band, allowing each song to breathe and resonate. The audience leaned in, connecting not just to the sound, but to the emotion woven through her lyrics and melodies.

Between songs, Leonie shared her appreciation for the crowd and spoke about how special it felt to perform at the Jazz Cafe, a venue that carried personal meaning for her and her family. She mentioned how happy her mother was to hear she would be playing on that stage, adding a layer of sincerity that deepened the connection with the audience. Her performance was a graceful balance of musicianship and vulnerability, her guitar work anchoring each song as the band elevated the arrangements without overpowering her presence.

Photo Credit: Victoria S

Leonie closed her set with her most popular track, Beach Song, bringing her performance to a beautiful and fitting end. The room responded with warm applause, recognising an opening act that had not only set the tone for the night but had created a genuine emotional entry point for the audience. As she left the stage, there was a sense of appreciation that lingered, the crowd clearly ready for the next chapter of the evening.

Photo Credit: Victoria S

That chapter began with another interlude from PDR, smoothly transitioning the energy once again before Vinch returned to introduce the next artist. Building excitement, he led the crowd in the chant “CEEE BOOO” for Ceebo, a rising rap talent generating increasing buzz within the UK underground scene. As Ceebo entered the stage, he immediately took command of the mic, launching into tracks from his latest project blair babies. His set marked a distinct tonal shift, bringing sharper edges and urgency, as he showcased his lyrical ability across a range of instrumentals while engaging the crowd with moments of call and response that kept the room locked in.

Photo Credit: Victoria S

To close the night, headline act Tia Gordon took the stage, supported by her talented band and greeted with palpable appreciation from the audience. Seated on her high chair, Tia serenaded the Jazz Cafe with a selection of soulful songs from her stellar catalogue, her voice carrying both strength and tenderness. Mid performance, she paused to give a heartfelt shoutout to a fan who had reached out to her earlier in the week, asking her to share a personal message to their significant other on the night. The gesture landed softly across the room, a beautiful reminder of music’s ability to connect people beyond the stage.

Each performance felt intentional and heartfelt, touching the crowd in different ways as the room swayed together in quiet admiration. The evening came to a close as another successful collaboration between New Wave and the Jazz Cafe, adding to a growing legacy of shows that spotlight exceptional talent across the UK music scene, with the promise of continuing this powerful run well into the future.