FRIENDSHIP. returns to The Great Escape with ‘SSR from Tokyo’ showcase

Tokyo-based music company FRIENDSHIP. will bring its curated showcase event SSR from Tokyo back to Brighton this spring as part of The Great Escape 2025. Taking place at One Church on Friday, May 16th, the matinee event runs from 12pm to 4pm and will feature live sets from four artists pushing the boundaries of Japan’s indie and alternative scenes: The fin., She Her Her Hers, VivaOla, and Ålborg.

The event, a continuation of the SHIBUYA SOUND RIVERSE (SSR) series, is designed to strengthen the cultural and creative ties between Japanese and UK music communities. FRIENDSHIP., the digital distribution service behind the showcase, debuted at The Great Escape in 2024 and returns this year with a line-up that spans indie rock, R&B, and alternative pop.

The fin.

Kobe-formed indie-pop duo The fin. return to the UK this May with a special five-piece lineup for The Great Escape, joined by Tomo Carter (drums), Kazuya Takenouchi (guitar), and Hinata Ishii (sax/synth). Now based between Japan and abroad, core members Yuto Uchino and Kaoru Nakazawa have developed a sound shaped by ’80s synthpop, shoegaze, and chillwave, drawing comparisons to US indie pop while maintaining a distinct identity.

Over the years, they’ve supported acts such as Phoenix, The Last Shadow Puppets, Mew, and Circa Waves, and played key slots at SXSW, FUJI ROCK, Strawberry Festival, and la Magnifique Society. Their UK return follows a 2024 remix by producer Bad Milk and comes ahead of their new single ‘Nebula’, out May 7th.

“ We’re so excited to come back to The Great Escape this May. Last time we played, we were blown away by the atmosphere of the city and the festival itself. It really stayed with us. We can’t wait to return, share our new music, and connect with everyone again. See you there! ”

Yuto Uchino, The fin.

---

She Her Her Hers

She Her Her Hers will make their European live debut at The Great Escape, following a sold-out run across Japan and China in support of their latest album Pathway. Formed by Hiroyasu Takahashi, Tomasong, and Taiki Matsuura, the Tokyo-based trio have steadily expanded their reach across Asia through a string of self-directed releases and large-scale tours, including 17 dates across the region during their ‘Diffusion of Responsibility’ era. Known for a sound that balances atmospheric textures with understated melodic structures, the band will also play their first UK headline dates in London and Manchester. Their joint headline shows with The fin. on May 18th and 19th at Oslo Hackney have both sold out.

“ Hello everyone, we are She Her Her Hers from Japan. This May, we’ll be performing in the UK for the very first time—and it will also be our first live show in Europe. It’s something we’ve been hoping for over the years, so being invited to play in the UK, a country that has influenced our music deeply, means a great deal to us. We’re really looking forward to sharing our songs with you in person and experiencing the atmosphere of the city and the people. Can’t wait to meet you there and spend a special moment together. See you at TGE! ”

---

VivaOla

VivaOla joins The Great Escape with a sound shaped by a cross-cultural background and a precise command of modern R&B. Born in Seoul and raised in Tokyo, he began making music in high school before studying at Berklee College of Music. Now based in Tokyo, he works as both a performer and producer, with credits including The Third J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE. His music—rooted in trap soul and defined by stripped-back arrangements and a distinct tenor vocal—draws on themes of identity and emotional distance.

“ It’s my first time in the UK, and I’m just really grateful to be part of The Great Escape. Can’t wait to connect and share some real moments with you all.”

---

Ålborg

Yokohama-based five-piece Ålborg make their UK debut this May with a headline show at London’s Hope and Anchor on 15 May, followed by their appearance at The Great Escape. Since forming in 2022, the band have developed a sound centred around acoustic guitar, trombone, and tightly arranged rhythm sections—drawing from folk, chamber pop, and alternative rock without leaning too heavily on any single reference point. Their 2024 album ‘The Way I See You’ builds on that approach, layering flute, steel guitar, and brass textures into carefully structured compositions. After gaining early attention with their debut single ‘Girl’, Ålborg were selected for FUJI ROCK’s “ROOKIE A GO-GO” stage in 2023.

“Hi! We’re Ålborg from Yokohama, Japan. This is our very first time playing in the UK, and we’re so excited. If you’ve got any favorite spots, cool people we should meet, or things we shouldn’t miss—please tell us. We’d love to make new friends and connect with people from all over the world. Can’t wait to see you at The Great Escape❤️”

---

Watch the official teaser for FRIENDSHIP.’s SSR from Tokyo showcase at The Great Escape 2025. Featuring The fin., She Her Her Hers, VivaOla, and Ålborg.

Last year’s SSR from Tokyo showcase drew a packed crowd to Brighton’s WaterBear, with sets from LITE, domico, Helsinki Lambda Club, and Kaneko Ayano highlighting the depth of Japan’s indie scene. Each act delivered a focused 30-minute performance, with Helsinki Lambda Club later releasing the track ‘THE FAKE ESCAPE’ in response to their UK appearance. Kaneko Ayano, who closed the event, returns to London this year for a headline show at The Garage on May 22nd as part of a wider UK tour.

RELATED: Shibuya Sound Riverse: FRIENDSHIP. bring Tokyo’s finest to Brighton

The SSR initiative, launched in 2022 by FRIENDSHIP. founder Kazuto Yamazaki, continues to evolve as a platform for international exchange. Following its Brighton appearance, the next major SSR event is scheduled for September 28th in Tokyo, spanning four venues centered around Ebisu LIQUIDROOM.

Tickets for the festival, running from May 14th–17th and spanning more than 30 venues across Brighton, are available now via The Great Escape official website.