The Great Escape Brighton 2016 Review

We all know how most UK festivals work- you show up, you camp somewhere, usually muddy and wet, you sneak a few bottles under your shirt/short/hat/combination and you head to the arena for some musical action. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a massive festival fan, but the Great Escape is a different kind of festival altogether. It’s almost completely focused on ‘new music’, and with that tagline comes a whole new era of ‘festival’ in general. Although it is a brilliant collection of new music, with everything from up-and-coming indie bands to an underground grime scene, whether it’s festival status is truly deserved, is debatable. You don’t have the same camaraderie as camping in a field and getting wasted with your friends, it’s a completely urban environment and I can imagine for a non-brighton dweller can be quite hard to navigate.

 

For those of you who are unaware of what the Great Escape is, it’s a four day extravaganza in which various venues around Brighton host gigs and events under the same umbrella.

I grew up in Brighton, and seeing the Great Escape flourish every year has been a real beauty to behold. It puts the city in a good mood, there are loads of artists wandering around, I get to go to venues I’ve never been to before or wouldn’t go to without reason. It’s nice to promote new talent and isn’t massively overpriced for what it is. There’s a lot of nice little treats that come with your wristband, like a couple of free drinks at certain places or discounts on food and fringe events. It makes the city way more lively and you look at Brighton through rose tinted glasses, it brings a bucket load of atmosphere to my friendly city.

The long weekend itself was hectic, Some of the acts were unrefined, some were okay and some to be quite frank, some were pretty dreadful – with new music comes it’s fair share of risk – but when you get the one show that gives you the ‘I’m going to be able to brag about seeing these guys before they were famous’ feeling, it gives you goose bumps and an air of cockiness that lasts all evening, and that’s what GE is all about.

The festival is well known for its urban music vibes, with patterns showcasing Lady LeShurr in a packed out, madly energetic gig, however even with Stormzy playing a ‘spotlight show’ and music from Craig David’s new DJ act TS5, there was a very melancholic, Scandi-Pop, indie vibe to the majority of the festival, but that might be tailored to maybe the shows I happened to catch. A few favourites to call out were HER and SISKA, both French and both very different. The first was oozing sex all over the hope and ruin and had powerful vocals with highly sensual lyrics. The latter was a soulful, almost folky, bass filled vibe with some of the best vocals I heard all weekend.

Alongside all the lesser known artists, there were still some heavyweights pulling crowds to bigger venues, with Jake Bugg bringing the energy to Wagner Hall, which in itself is a masterpiece, even if a little hard to find. An amazing tucked away venue behind Saint Peters church- outdoors, fairy lights, and a cute little bar with a stage surrounded by foliage. It’s the type of place you had to stay at all day to see the one act you were actually interested in at 21:30. Mystery Jets also played a lively set, with a more prog-influenced feel than anything we’ve seen from them before at the Corn Exchange, a venue more central, capable of holding bigger crowds, and one of the best organised throughout the festival. The newly rejuvenated ‘Old Market’ also saw its fair share of action, with The Temper Trap playing a beautiful Amazon Live: Front Row gig, bringing a fresh lease of life to the venue.

 

 

Alongside the full blown Great Escape, is its rebellious little sibling that crops up all over the shop, The Alternative Escape. Although technically still a branch from the same tree, the Alternative Escape boasts something a little different, showcasing newer acts from specific labels and the Black Lion pub even hosting a few more learned events and East Street Tap remaining a hot spot for music and some definite refreshment throughout the evening.

It’s been over ten years since its humble beginnings in 2006, and although it’s continuing to bloom into a must-see of the summer, I do feel it needs to be slightly refined. They’ve got some great ideas and concepts, but the venues need to be stronger, maybe a few more outdoors stages, a few more quirky events, and just that little bit extra on top of the music. The music is great, but when you hit a three hour lull in the middle of a saturday afternoon, I can imagine those of us not from Brighton would feel quite irritable, which is the last thing you want in a crowd. But I say this from the perspective of a mum wanting to see it’s baby do well. The focus is on the music and the bands, and that’s something that gives it an edge, which can be lacking from the larger, more mainstream festivals these days. Things are only going to get better, and I for one can’t wait till next year.

 

Rockness announce Plan B as headliner + Temper Trap and more

First up, one of the most important British artists of his generation, PLAN B is heading to Dores for what will be an explosive headline performance. Steadfastly refusing to be pigeonholed, PLAN B is a bonafide 21st century original.  From the critically acclaimed debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Word, the oozing-with-soul breakthrough The Defamation of Strickland Banks, to last year’s soundtrack and film of the same name Ill Manors, PLAN B’s powerful and totally unique social commentary and musical narrative marks his return to RockNess as unmissable.

Plan B

Following a tour of sold out headline shows across the globe in 2012, Australian indie rockers THE TEMPER TRAP will play RockNess as part of only a handful of festivals this year. Meticulous arrangements and unashamedly catchy tracks highlight why they closed the year supporting Coldplay and are destined for greatness in 2013.

Notable for their fusion of styles, irony-laden lyrics, humorous personas and outrageous live performances, RockNess is delighted to welcome back ALABAMA 3. Get set for another tasty serving of psychedelic, technobilly rave ‘n’ roll underpinned with quality songwriting and accomplished playing.

Never limited solely to the dancefloor, JORIS VOORN creates soundscapes as much for the listener as for those seeking a full on club experience. As a DJ and live performer VOORN has joined an elite group of international DJs with global appeal. As a producer his work straddles the spectrum of electronica from atmospheric interludes to broken beats, house to deep soulful techno, the results of which can be found in the possession of Carl Craig, Laurent Garnier, Pete Tong and Sven Vath amongst many others.

LEN FAKI exploded into earspaces with his masterful Rainbow Delta / Mekong Delta EP, a perfectly wrought piece of ‘big’ techno with an unmistakable voice. FAKI has retained this unique voice ever since at both the packed out gigs he plays as well as across the management of two highly acclaimed techno labels Len Series and Podium.

CARL CRAIG is one of the most important names in the Detroit second generation of techno producers and DJs, with a formidable output inspired by the genres of jazz and soul.  His unique style, along with the reputation of his Planet E Communications label which serves as a vanguard for the art of techno, has played a pivotal role in sparking a new movement of electronic music and generating a die hard fanbase across the world.

A critically and commercially acclaimed, Grammy nominated producer, the UK’s NIC FANCIULLI has worked with artists as diverse as Kylie Minogue, Underworld, U.N.K.L.E., Tracy Thorn and JOSH WINK (also announced for RockNess 13). Responsible for a sleek, intelligent yet driving strain of house and techno, FANCIULLI’s own Saved Records has become an important purveyor of the electronic discipline.

Arguably the hottest property on Hospital Records, the UK’s most prolific drum and bass label,NETSKY burst on to the scene in 2009 with his eponymous debut album of liquid funk.  Pretension-free and mainstream-appealing, the Belgian’s follow up is a 15-track shot in the arm laden with trademark hooks and creative flair. No surprise his remixing magic is in high demand too, including for RockNess artists PLAN B, MADEON and SKREAM. Check out NETSKY LIVE! this June at the festival.

Netsky

THE FUTUREHEADS are true innovators, completely distinctive and occasionally mad. What other band could follow a four album-strong repertoire of exhilarating post punk garage rock with a wonderfully wacky collection of acapella songs spanning the likes of Kelis, Sparks and The Black Eyed Peas, as they have on recent fifth album Rant. This is what continues to set THE FUTUREHEADS apart and why their RockNess appearance is much anticipated.

London’s MARK HENNING has risen up as one of the international underground’s leading players and is signed to Glasgow’s SOMA RECORDS. Inspired by a diverse breadth of music from Dinosaur Jr to Dan Bell, HENNING’s sound sits somewhere between house and techno with futuristic bleeps, outright funk, darkness, deepness and straight up grooves.   

An artist’s artist, ALEX METRIC started out as a nuskoolbreaks producer, succeeding this with numerous awards, highly successful collaborations and a Radio 1 show. His remixing magic has been applied to the work of many high profile bands including U2, Depeche Mode, Gorillaz and La Roux, and more recently METRIC, along with Steve Angello collaborated with Ian Brown. A favourite at clubs and festivals around the world, we are very pleased to welcome ALEX METRIC.

Keeping on the new, fresh trance direction of this year’s RockNess, MAT ZO brings an experimental tour de force to his sets which are fast gaining repute to all who behold. Hailed as ‘one to watch’ by the mighty ABOVE & BEYOND, MAT ZO’s Radio 1 Essential Mix sessions give an insight to the tasty treats lined up for June.   

Bristol Drum & Bass composer REDLIGHT is another exciting new addition to this year’s proposition. With a number of dancefloor destroyers to his credit, as well as collaborations with Chase & Status, Ms Dynamite and Ceelo Green executed to devastating effect, the sound of the REDLIGHT imprint is spreading fast.  

Joining this array of quality is young Russian maverick PROXY. Signed to Tiga’s Turbo Recordings,PROXY produces massive techno with an unmistakable Russian industrial aura. Check out the huge blistering kick of ‘Vibrate’ and ‘Raven’ to hear what he is capable of.

Soma’s HARVEY MCKAY has emerged from Glasgow’s underground scene to become one of the hottest electronic prospects around, with a reputation for one-off originals, killer remixes, deep driving house and powerful techno always with a dark energetic signature party mood. Slam, Adam Beyer, Green Velvet and Luke Slater are fans of HARVEY MCKAY, and his set is highly recommended.

Rounding off this latest RockNess slam dunk, ANIMAL FARM aka Daren Quail, Chris Lamb and Charles Turtle, return to the festival to deliver more outstanding underground techno party vibes for which they are renowned. These are exciting times for ANIMAL FARM with a new eponymous label soon to be launched, releasing the debut from producer Bleak.

Speaking about programming this year’s Arcadia Afterburner, SOMA RECORDS boss Dave Clarke said “We always look forward to inviting DJs to RockNess. It’s the best boutique festival in the UK. Set in beautiful surroundings and attracting a great audience of fun loving music fans who like to dance!”  

105 bands added to The Great Escape Festival

Songwriter and Supergrass alumnus Gaz Coombes, hard-edged indie poppers Reverend and the Makers, Uber-hip Brooklynites We Are Augustines, and LA riot grrrl sister act Haim.

Temper Trap

New additions Haim said: "We're so excited to play the Great Escape Fest! One of our dreams was to come to the UK and play cause we're such big fans of all the music from out there.

Rae Morris said: 'I played at The Hope on my first tour a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it! I'm from Blackpool so Brighton reminded me a lot of home. I'm a seaside girl at heart so can't wait to be back in Brighton for The Great Escape; i never thought i'd get to go to such a cool festival never mind play it!' 

The full list of bands announced today is: TEMPER TRAP** / BASS DRUM OF DEATH / ST LUCIA

/ PORCELAIN RAFT / GAZ COOMBES / JETHRO FOX / FILMS OF COLOUR / TREETOP FLYERS / HANNAH COHEN / CLOUD NOTHINGS / AMONG BROTHERS / BODY LANGUAGE / RETRO STEFSON / THE BLACK BELLES / BLACK MOTH / WE WERE EVERGREEN / WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS / DROP OUT VENUS / TALL SHIPS / FOSSIL COLLECTIVE / I AM OAK / NOVIKA / BUENO BROS / HANS CHEW / GABRIEL AND THE HOUNDS / ADMIRALL FALLOW / TINY RUINS / FACE + HEEL / DAUWD / ELECTRIC WIRE HUSTLE / REDINHO / LAPALUX LIVE / JAM CITY / PAULA AND KAROL / DEVIN / SOLAR BEARS / REVEREND AND THE MAKERS /

THE BARR BROTHERS / OSO LEONE / JODIE MARIE / CROWNS / THE NATURALS / WE ARE AUGUSTINES / ABI WADE / DOPE D.O.D./ JACK SAVORETTI / TWILIGHT SAD / PHILCO FICTION / RIZ MC / [ME] / TRIPPPLE NIPPPLES / GABRIEL BRUCE / JONAS RATHSMAN/ RANDOM IMPULSE / EJ / DANTE / WILD BELLE / DALEY / REVERE / ENJOYED / SWISS LIPS /

LUCY ROSE / KARIMA FRANCIS / HATCHAM SOCIAL / KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES / NEGATIVE PEGASUS  / JAPE / SAVOIR ADORE / THE BIG SLEEP / NICOLE ATKINS / THE FRONT BOTTOMS / THE CHEVIN / BWANI JUNCTION / BERNHOFT / MILK MUSIC / BOYFRIEND /

MAYBESHEWILL / ODONIS ODONIS / KING CHARLES CERCUEIL / AMATORSKI / MMOTHS

REGAL SAFARI / BLANCK MASS / BIGKIDS / THRONE / PROPER ORNAMENTS / VIRALS / HALLS / CAVE PAINTING / RAE MORRIS / PAUL THOMAS SAUNDERS / PETE PHILLY / ALBY DANIELS / JIMMY EDGAR / WE BARBARIANS / FEVER FEVER / SEAMS / SYKUR / SX / ALEXANDRE DESILETS / MISTEUR VALAIRE

TGE festival-goers, can set up an affordable and perfectly positioned base at Brighton’s JOURNEYS HOSTEL for just £30 per night. Well located in relation to all TGE gig venues, a stay at Journey’s guarantees that all guests receive the lowest price possible for their stay as well as providing a better atmosphere for meeting and interacting with fellow festival goers. It’s got to be better than camping, right?

The festival is world famous for the massive acts who’ve cut their teeth on its stages: highlights include Bon Iver, Adele, Tinie Tempah, Mumford and Sons and Ed Sheeran to name a few. We’re looking to forwards to many more discoveries being made this year.

Other acts already confirmed to play The Great Escape this year are:

Africa Express Sound System**/ Maximo Park**/Dry The River / Spector / We Are the Ocean / Friends / Howler / Zulu Winter / Grimes / DZ Deathrays / Nils Frahm / A Winged Victory For The Sullen / Jamie N Commons / Django Django / Eagulls / Perfume Genius / Com Truise / Δ (Alt-J) / When Saints Go Machine / Sonic Boom Six / François And The Atlas Mountains / Bos Angeles / Young Dreams / Doldrums / Weird Dreams / Young Magic / The British Expeditionary Force / Max Cooper / Jinja Safari / College, Graphics / Slow Down, Molasses / Mojo Fury / Mallory Knox / Hawk Eyes / Peace / Yukon Blonde / Emma Louise / Juveniles / Binary / Sing Tank /The Soft / Karlmarx / Inland Sea / Half Moon Run / Owlle / Princess Chelsea / Mesparrow / Stranded Horse / Avalanche City / Trust / The Darcys / Jordan Cook / Mujeres / Me And The Bees / Seward / Furguson / Mystery Jets/ Booka Shade / Alambama Shakes / Natty / Lianne La Havas / Ema / Forest Swords / Madeon / Erros / Willy Mason / Rolo Tomassi / Foy Vance / Beth Jeans Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny / Micachu and The Shapes / Maxxi Soundsystem / We Have Band / Loney, Dear / Tanlines / New Look / Koreless/ Shabazz Palaces / Toy / Lower That Atlantis / Kwes / Gross Magic / Disclosure / Duologue / Jonquil / Exitmusic / Spoek Mathambo / Haim / Pale Seas / Foxes / Swin Deep / The Computers / The Skints / Antlered Man / Chew Lips / Hooded Fang / Pets with Pets / Tall Ships / Holy State / Wim / Rich Aucoin / Vondelpark / Milagres / Mesparrow / NZCA / Lines / Dillon / Don Broco / Boy / Odonis Odonis / Eighty and a Half / Wet Nuns / Mikill Pane / The Night / Cut Ribbons / Paws / Ben Chaplan and the Casual Smokers / I Ching / Oliver Tank / Gold and Youth / Psychologist / Hot Panda / Fiction / Step-Panther / Pikachunes / Ben Salter / Boxes / Films of Colour / Alunageorge / Flip Grater / Grass House / Husky / JD Mcpherson / Josh Kumra / Lulu James / My Best Friend / Seasfire /Shields / 22 / Jaguar Shark / Violet / Last Dinosaurs / Jordan Cook aka Reignwolf / Jackson Firebird / Massmatiks / Martha Paton

The Great Escape will return to the bustling British seaside city of Brighton from 10th-12th May 2012, presenting festival-goers with over 300 new local and international artists across 30 different venues throughout the city. Running alongside this is the Great Escape convention programme hosting a variety of insightful industry talks, panel debates, targeted networking sessions and key note interviews for industry professionals and music business fans.

**A small number of shows will take place at The Dome in Brighton. The second of the 2012 Brighton Dome Shows to be announced is TEMPER TRAP. To ensure guaranteed access at a Brighton Dome Show, attendees can top up their festival wristband for £7 per show, or purchase a separate gig ticket at www.escapegreat.com