Music: The Great Escape

The Festival returns with plenty to catch around Brighton

Founded in 2006, The Great Escape has firmly established itself as a leading event for showcasing new music, aimed at punters and industry people alike, turning Brighton into a music mecca for three days every May. This year there will be over 300 bands from 20 countries playing in 30 venues, along with many impromptu street gigs.

As always with The Great Escape there is a mix of seasoned pros and up and coming acts, some unknown even to music journalists. It’s what makes the festival so attractive to both new music lovers as well as the industry delegates, many of whom are here to sniff out new talent. It really is an excellent opportunity to see new acts, and to refresh your love/hate for those artists you know already.

This year there will be an opportunity to cram in three days with the relatively unknown likes of Theme Park, Grimes and Hooded Fang (both from Canada), Toy (emanating from the disastrous Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong project), America’s Howler and Alabama Shakes (one of the hot tickets this year), France’s Francois & The Atlas Mountains, Milagres, Retro Stefson (from Iceland), Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny and Chew Lips. You can also check out some better known acts such as Lianne La Havas, Dry The River, Mystery Jets, Django Django, Gaz Coombes and Willy Mason. Moreover, there are three special shows at Brighton Dome: Maximo Park, Africa Express Sound System and The Temper Trap – available to all Great Escape ticket holders, as well as to the general public.

Compared to previous years Brighton isn’t so well represented this year, although Abi Wade, Tall Ships and Nordic Giants have all made it on to the core programme. However, there is once again an Alternative Great Escape featuring a healthy smattering of local talent in Brighton, as well as music from around the country that didn’t make it into the main billing.

The Hub, launched last year, is based in Jubilee Square and is the first Great Escape venue where all festival goers visit to collect their wristbands. From then on it becomes a general meeting place as it has a licensed bar plus an open air stage with live music and DJs throughout the day.

The Great Escape, Thursday 10–Saturday 12 May, various venues. Day and three day tickets are available at www.escapegreat.com