WERW's Fall 2023 Launch Party Hosts Trio of Brilliant Indie Pop Singer-Songwriters

Hannah Jadagu, Devon Again, and Padma Bring the Indie Scene to Syracuse.

Words By Lauren Duncan / Photos by Harry Sutton / Graphic by Lily Greco

Syracuse’s student-run radio organization WERW – short for “What Everyone Really Wants” – hosts two annual launch party concerts, one each semester, featuring up-and-coming indie and bedroom pop artists. On November 16th, the station recruited Bandier student-musician Padma, Colorado-raised alt-pop phenom Devon Again, and NYU-student-turned-indie starlet Hannah Jadagu to perform. The event also featured four second-hand clothing boutiques, booths for student-run publications, and WERW merchandise.

Sophomore indie singer-songwriter, Padma, whose breakout single “I’m So Cool” reached 100,000 streams on Spotify last month, kicked off the show. The Massachusetts native began with a few tracks from her debut album “Daisy,” which turns one year old on December 9th. She then played her newest single, “New City, Same Song,” some unreleased tracks, and ended with a climactic finale, covering Radiohead’s “High and Dry.”

Padma’s voice is reminiscent of Billie Eillish’s, sheer and gossamer though filled with spirit and verve. Her songs are wistful and introspective, telling intimate stories of Padma’s relationships and life while growing up. Padma’s band consisted entirely of young women, featuring drummer Giulianna Iapalucci, bassist Annie Levin, and one-half of Luna and the Carpets, Anjali Engstrom, on lead guitar. The crowd built up around the stage as Padma played the intimate “Bro,” with her profound lyricism setting the energy for the night.

Devon Again took to the stage with a guitar tab attached to her ear and her signature blue-haired baby doll hanging from the mic stand. The energy shifted as her drummer, Emma Wellons, ripped into the drums, captivating the audience as Devon's melodies carried throughout the venue.

Although this was her first show at a university, Devon’s confidence was evident as she played with the crowd asking, “WHO WANTS HEAD?”, before starting her hit song “Head.” Devon’s playfulness continued as she covered 100 gecs’ “Stupid Horse,” stating that she “felt like getting silly.”

After her set, Devon listed Tyler, The Creator and Paramore’s Hayley Williams as some of her biggest influences. The 22-year-old singer told 20 Watts that she began writing music in middle school, before moving from Colorado to California. She always wanted to be a singer, joining jazz club and musical theater early in her life. After breaking into the music scene through TikTok virality in 2021, Devon has made a name for herself with a peppy, digital pop style. Someday, the crowd in attendance will be able to brag to their friends that they were present at Devon Again’s first-ever college show.

Closing out the night, headliner Hannah Jadagu brought together an eclectic but nostalgic alternative rock set of tracks from her first EP, “What Is Going On?,” and debut album, “Aperture.” Jadagu combined numerous influences with her tracks, certainly appealing to fans of No Doubt or Mazzy Star. The Texas native played guitar, with bassist Garrett Chabot and drummer Jacob Stockman filling out the sound.

Jadagu joked with the crowd that she “almost came here [Syracuse University,] but I chose to go NYU instead.” Her set was a great note to end the Launch Party, featuring elements of indie, bedroom-pop, and rock across her tremendous catalog of original work.

All three young women gave kudos and praised each other’s musicality, sharing a tremendous sense of support for one another.