The Great Escape

With AlunaGeorge, Parquet Courts, CHVRCHES

Location: Brighton
Date: 16th – 18th May
Headliners: AlunaGeorge / Parquet Courts / CHVRCHES
Why Go? To catch salty wind of up-and-coming acts, and dip into a couple of music talks.

 

Seaside merriment for the eighth year running, The Great Escape is one of Europe’s largest music events that’s been dubbed the UK’s answer to SXSW. Taking place in mid May across an incredible 30 venues in the picturesque town of Brighton, the three-dayer will play host to a varied bill of hotly-tipped musicians.
 
Treasured venue the Brighton Dome will see two huge acts performing underneath its gilded roof. Firstly, the legendary Billy Bragg, who has inspired countless audiences and artists alike in his 30 year spanning career and is currently releasing his thirteenth solo album. Also taking to the grandiose venue will be Bastille and his melancholy electro-pop sound, riding on the wave of success after the release of the acclaimed LP ‘Bad Blood’. 
 
With the specific intent to champion new music, showcasing acts like Allah-Las, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Clash’s own One to Watch King Krule, and electro-pop threesome CHVRCHES, The Great Escape will reach out to over 16,000 music lovers during its three day run. Other artists making waves in the seaside venues will be new hip hop breakthrough acts Iggy Azalea and Brooke Candy, alongside Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Sweet Baboo and new red hot trio London Grammar.
 
David Rodigan MBE, a man who needs no introduction, is poised ready to select in his legendary ‘Ram Jam’ setup. Joining him will be recent Warp-signees Darkstar will be weaving their dream-electro vibes through the air alongside R&B experimentalist How To Dress Well and a whole host of other acts still to be announced. 
 
As ever, the festival will be breaking boundaries with its melting pot of genres, but in addition, there’ll be the Great Escape convention – hosting a variety of insightful industry talks and panel debates for music professionals and fans. With confirmed speakers including Arts Council England chief exec Alan Davey and Rough Trade co-owner Stephen Godfroy, as well as Radiohead and Nick Cave manager Brian Message and Madness’s Garry Blackburn giving top tips in the business.
 
Not only will TGE be collecting the bleeding-edge raw talent from the shores of the UK, it’ll also provide a platform for emerging talent from all over the globe. A festival with a special international focus, this year there’ll be standalone showcase ‘Don’t Panic! We’re From Poland’, presented by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, so you can all just calm down and remember that they’re from Eastern Europe.
 
Explore The Great Escape’s interactive lineup online here: http://www.thinglink.com/scene/365093958193250305 giving you the opportunity to swot up on acts before you set sail. 
 
Line Up: AlunaGeorge / Bastille / Parquet Courts / Billy Bragg / Toddla T Sound / Troumaca / Beach Fossils / CHVRCHES / David Rodigan / How To Dress Well / Darkstar
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