Photos: Miguel, Jessie Ware, Tory Lanez and more at the El Rey

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Jessie Ware and Tory Lanez at the El Rey Theatre (Photo by Rayana Chumthong)
Jessie Ware and Tory Lanez at the El Rey Theatre (Photo by Rayana Chumthong)

“Shhhh … It’s a Party,” proclaimed the marquee at the El Rey Theatre on Thursday night, the site of the the Friends Keep Secrets Label Showcase, the blowout thrown by Benny Blanco’s label.

And there were secrets. The set times weren’t made public beforehand, and then surprise guest Miguel joined Tory Lanez during his set, which ended with an impressive bit of crowd walking by the Toronto rapper, born Daystar Peterson.

Jessie Ware did an acoustic set in the middle of the evening, performing the songs “Wildest Moments,” “Tough Love,” “Kinda, Sometimes, Maybe,” “What You Won’t Do” and “Say You Love Me.” She also did a cameo during Lanez’ set.

Cashmere Cat, aka Norwegian producer Magnus August Høiberg (whose debut album is forthcoming on Blanco’s label), was clearly an anticipated crowd favorite, playing some of his adored tunes such as “Adore,” “Be My Baby,” “Party Girls,” “Do You,” “Wedding Bells” and “Rice Rain.”

BenZel, the duo of Blanco and Ben Ash, kicked off the night, followed by Ryn Weaver’s acoustic set, Ware, a set from Francis and the Lights, a DJ set from Herbert Holler, Lanez and Cashmere Cat.

Photos by Rayana Chumthong