They’re playing our The Great Escape First Fifty showcase tonight. Best bring a safety helmet.
Words: Jamie Muir.
The countdown is on. The Great Escape – everyone’s favourite seaside home of new music – is returning once again in 2023, but before then their annual First Fifty evening of showcase shows across East London is ushering in the first wave of names announced, with everyone’s favourite neighbourhood Dork hosting a special night at The Shacklewell Arms
All going down tonight (Tuesday 15th November), we’ll be bringing Lambrini Girls and Terra Kin down for all the fun – headlined by buzzy alt-rap titans Joey Valence & Brae. Trust us, when we say it’ll be spectacular then you’re guaranteed it’s going to be bloody spectacular!
Tickets are still on-sale – so make sure you grab one now to catch some amazing names you’ll be hearing a lot of in the year to come. Before then, we checked in with Joey Valence & Brae to look ahead to the show and also ask the hard-hitting questions (such as their plans for when they’re fifty – get ready it’s a big answer!)
The Great Escape returns in 2023 between May 10th-13th, with tickets available now.
Hey Guys! How’s it going? What are you up to today?
Currently we are about to play our first show of our UK tour. Brae and I are lathering ourselves in butter, which is a normal pre-show ritual we do.
How has the year been for you guys? What’s been some of the highlights?
2022 has been incredible and we’ve had an unbelievable amount of fun. We’ve released a lot of music we’re super proud of and have played our first shows and headline tours. It’s been amazing seeing our fanbase grow.
Playing Reading & Leeds must of been a good time?
Reading and Leeds were some of our favourite festivals we played. We love the UK and that energy was unmatchable.
How did you guys first meet? I’m sure it’s an amazing story right?! What were your first impressions of each other?
We met at Red Lobster and the rest is history.
When was the moment you knew you wanted to make music together and you had something here?
We had super similar music taste and we would just converted all of the fun we were having in college into music that we enjoyed.
What has it been like seeing that reaction to putting music out there?
We were extremely surprised people caught on so fast. It was just us messing around doing what we love. It’s really cool that we’ve been able to build such an awesome fan base.
If you could sum yourselves up in one sentence, what would it be?
Mmm, I love Ketchup!
You’re playing The Great Escape’s First Fifty on the Dork Stage – what can people expect from your set at The Shacklewell Arms?
Well currently I’m unable to walk real good so be prepared for me to be flying through the air like Cirque du Soleil.
Back in London, what was it like last time you were here? Any favourite parts of London you particularly enjoy or want to visit while here?
It was nice and sunny, which is something you don’t see here very often. Our show in London was one of our favorites and it was our first real sold out show. It’s awesome meeting all the fans, which is our favorite part of any show. We went to a McDonald’s in London and that was probably our favorite part.
When you’re fifty years old – what can you picture yourself doing?
Owning a McDonald’s and Cheesecake Factory.
What can people expect in 2023 and beyond?
If things go as well as expect, Joey and Brae will be the first dual president of the United States. ■
