Artist: kwn / Cari

Venue: Patterns

Town: Brighton

Date: 26.2.26

Brits Week 26 for the War Child charity has been in action over the last couple of weeks with a stellar line up of artists playing in cosy venues around the country with names such as Robbie Williams, Olivia Dean, Fatboy Slim, Myles Smith, Lambrini Girls, Spiritualized, The K's, Jacob Alon, Josh Baker, Rossi and Jack Savoretti giving their time to promote the War Child cause.

Compere for the evening

So it was that last night I arrived in Brighton at Patterns, a venue more tuned to being a dance club but tonight opening it’s doors for fans of kwn, an extremely popular British singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer. Indeed her popularity was clear on getting inside and hearing that the queue outside had started at about 11:00am! 

For those who patiently waited in the unusually clement weather the chance to be up close and personal with their idol was worth it. The devotion to kwn and her music from the fans was just amazing to be a spectator of.

Cari

Cari

Before kwn we were treated to a set from modern R&B singer Cari, who produced a sultry, jazzy performance reminiscent of a smoky late night club vibe.The song Bleeding stood out with an intense delivery.

Cari

Cari left the stage all too soon, with a hosted intermission to remind the gathered crowd on what War Child stands for and its continued existence, where the need is still as strong as ever.

kwn

The crowd were already shouting out for their favourite kwn songs as she was within earshot backsatge, before the ceiling must have risen a few feet when she entered the small stage such was the screaming crescendo. Kwn briefly looked stunned and later stated this may be the loudest audience she has experienced and that this was her first live show of 2026. How good she felt about that.

kwn

kwn

The interplay during the set with some of the songs was to quote John Travolta “electrifying” at times with a “to and fro” Rap with the audience as though they were a part of the act. I am sure this deep enduring connection is what endears kwn to her audience.

kwn

kwn

An hour flew by with an airing of the big cross over song “Worst Behaviour” along with kwn classics “Back of the Club”, “Hopeless Romantic”, “Stand on it” and “Clothes off”. Each song was greeted as though it may be the last time it would ever be heard, such devotion clearly caught the attention of kwn. 

kwn

kwn

All proceeds from the shows go towards War Child’s essential work providing aid, education, specialist mental health support, and more while standing up for the rights of children whose lives have been devastatingly affected by war. Right now, it’s the deadliest time in history to be a child. 1 in 5 children globally (over 520 million) are currently affected by war. But there is hope. With support from music fans, War Child can help children put the pieces back together. By joining the charity for the intimate, one-off performances of some of their favourite artists, fans will be directly contributing to help War Child rebuild children’s lives.

kwn

About War Child UK            

War Child is driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war. War Child works in some of the hardest-to-reach places to support those who are hardest hit. It aims to reach children as quickly as possible when conflict breaks out and stays long after the cameras have gone to support them through their recovery. War Child works with local communities and governments to help protect and educate children, and support them to heal and learn, for a safer, brighter future. Because one child caught up in conflict is one child too many. War Child understands children’s needs, respects and stands up for their rights, and puts them at the centre of everything it does. War Child boldly campaigns on the root causes of conflict and helps to amplify children’s voices, so that it can advocate for change on the issues that matter to them. Together with its partners, War Child delivers vital work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Every day, its local teams are in communities and refugee camps creating safe spaces for children to play, learn, and access psychological support. War Child also specialises in responding rapidly to emergency crisis situations as they happen, offering immediate and critical aid to keep children safe and help them through their trauma. War Child will never give up on children affected by conflict.      

War Child - website

Photographs by Dan Reddick