New Wave Magazine at BRITs Week 26: Kwn and CARI Light Up Patterns, Brighton

Image Credit: Sophie Vaughan

Before the BRITs officially started New Wave Magazine stepped into an intimate corner of Brighton for BRITs Week 26 at Patterns — a close-quarters celebration soundtracked by kwn and CARI, performing back-to-back into the night.

BRITs Week 26, delivered by DHL in support of War Child UK, continues to prove that live music can move more than just a crowd. Through a run of exclusive shows led by some of the industry’s most exciting names — including Fatboy Slim, Olivia Dean and kwn — fans directly contribute to War Child’s vital work, funding aid, education, and specialist mental health support while championing the rights of children impacted by conflict.

The night opened with CARI, bass guitar in hand, taking centre stage. Blue neon lighting washed over the room, casting a cool glow that matched the softness and control in her delivery.

There was an ease to her presence, subtle yet assured, as she worked through singles from her debut EP FLUX, alongside a teaser of an unreleased track set to arrive in the coming months. The crowd leaned in, attentive and receptive, absorbing every note.

kwn followed with an hour-long set that stretched beyond her recent album With All Due Respect. She treated longtime supporters to earlier favourites including ‘Sweetie’, ‘Five More’ and ‘Eyes Wide Open’, alongside the first live performance of her latest single ‘Hopeless Romantic’. Each track was echoed back word for word, ad-libs, harmonies and all, transforming the room into a unified chorus.

Beyond the setlist itself, it was kwn’s command of the room that defined the night. Her live vocals felt looser than on record, stretching notes; reworking melodies, and slipping in playful ad-libs that made each song feel uniquely hers in that moment.

kwn drifted constantly from side to side across the stage, never static, punctuating verses with small dances that radiated how much she genuinely relished being there. Between songs, she leaned into light-hearted exchanges with the crowd. At one point joking, “Is it stereotypical to say Brighton’s full of gays?” A knowing wink from a proudly queer artist at an event rooted in unity and community, the comment landed as both humour and affirmation.

Image Credit: Sophie Vaughan

There was a noticeable ease to her presence, too, a growth from earlier performances where the talent was undeniable but the stage still felt like something to conquer. Now, she looks fully settled into this life. Dressed in an indigo heavyweight denim set with red light shining from behind her.

She carried herself with assurance, letting the music breathe without ever losing momentum. The structure of the set moved fluidly, opening with 'bite me INTRO', revisiting older records, leaning into fan favourites ('stand on it', 'all the girls', and 'war to be over'), then closing on her most recognised track ('worst behaviour').

It was the feeling in the room that mattered most. The audience didn’t just watch; they roared every lyric back at her, often so loudly it swallowed the room whole.

In a venue as intimate as Patterns, there was nowhere to hide, yet Kwn thrived in that closeness, turning the night into something that felt less like a gig and more like a shared celebration.

Before closing, Kwn paused to capture the moment, stepping to the edge of the stage for a group photo with the crowd behind her — a snapshot of shared elation, community and purpose. In a venue as intimate as Patterns, the connection felt tangible, a reminder of how powerful live music can be when it serves something bigger than itself.

You can support War Child UK’s life-changing work by donating here (War Child UK - A safe future for every child living through war) . Every contribution helps protect, educate and stand up for children whose lives have been affected by conflict.

The BRIT Awards 2026 took place on Saturday 28th February, and was broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

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