Kids Return: Dreamy Pop Melodies from France, coming to The Great Escape

By Ash Young

They’ve been releasing music as Kids Return since 2021, but their friendship started out more than a decade before. Boasting a discography of songs that effortlessly stoke the embers of nostalgia, the already award-winning Parisian duo of Clément Savoye and Adrien Rozé will be bringing their talent to The Great Escape this year on May 15th, a must-see performance for all lovers of psychedelic yet soft indie pop-rock. With the festival only a few short weeks away, we wanted to know a little more about what makes Kids Return the brilliant artists they are, from beginnings in childhood rock bands to playing renowned venues around the world.

How long have you both been making music? Were there any projects before Kids Return?

We’ve been making music since we were about 12 or 13. That’s actually when we met. In middle school, we each had our own rock bands! Clément played drums and Adrien played guitar. Later, Adrien joined Clément’s band on keyboards. Much later on, the two of us started Kids Return together.

What was the inspiration for your latest album, “1997”, and what was the process behind making it like?

The idea behind that birth year, which we both share, is that we grew up together. What we talk about in the album is our lives, our experiences, and our feelings, like friendship breakups or the fear of time passing. Also, 1997 references the ‘90s albums that inspired us, both Britpop and French Touch.The process was longer and more in the head, but paradoxically more rock and more raw. That stronger rock energy comes from the fact that we had just come off nearly two years of touring our first tour.

Of all the songs you’ve made, which would you say is your favourite, and why?

We’re really happy with Teenage Dreams. It’s a song that stayed with us for a long time, because the piano riff was originally something we used as an intro in our live shows. We love how the vibe was reworked and the way the structure takes you somewhere. The vocals were done with a gospel choir, Adrien and the choir sang together! 

What was it like finding out that your first album, “Forever Memories”, made Les Inrockuptibles’ list of the best albums of 2022?

It’s very rewarding! And actually, 1997 is also in Les Inrockuptibles’ best albums of 2025 and I think it ranked even higher than Forever Melodies! So we’re improving, haha.

You performed at Eurosonic 2023 where you were awarded an MME Award; what was that experience like?

It was an amazing experience! The show was great, everything went really well, and receiving the award was crazy. We didn’t expect it at all. There was a real vibe: it was snowing outside and freezing cold, it felt unique.

You’ve already played quite a few iconic venues in your few short years as a band, which venue has been your favourite?

Red Rocks is definitely the most iconic place we’ve played. It’s stunning there. During the show, there was a lot of wind, it knocked our keyboards around and even cut the sound at one point, haha. But we were so carried by the mood and the energy that it actually made the concert even better when the sound came back.

You played at Summer Sonic in Tokyo, Japan in 2023; as you’re named after a movie filmed in Japan, what was that experience like?

Honestly, it might have been the best experience of all. Going to Japan was a dream. The show was incredible! There were so many people, and we played just before Liam Gallagher.

You’ll be playing at The Great Escape Festival here in Brighton next month, how are you feeling about that?

We can’t wait! Playing in England means a lot, since all our favorite bands come from there. Last October, we played our first headline show in London and it was amazing. Brighton seems really cool. I (Adrien) actually went there in 2013 on a language trip when I was in middle school. Back then, I had a band, and the single cover was a photo I took of Brighton beach with the big wheel! I think it’s still on SoundCloud ! It’s called Romance by The Jools.

What direction do you think Kids Return is heading? Any sonic spaces you want to explore or focus on? Any genres you want to stay in or try out?

Right now, we’re in a phase of exploration. We’re already working on what’s next, heading toward new horizons that feel even more like us. We can’t say much more yet, but it will be a new chapter, a new side of Kids Return.

See Kids Return live at The Great Escape in Brighton on Friday, May 15th, 2026 where they’ll be playing the TGE Beach – Soundwaves stage at 10:15pm. If you can’t make it, catch them at the Pete The Monkey music festival in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer on Sunday, July 12th, 2026, or at the Chez Hubert Festival in Le Juch on Saturday, August 8th, 2026.