The big one: The Great Escape

United Kingdom | | 12 May 2008

What is it?

A three-day festival celebrating new music, The Great Escape is the UK’s answer to South By South West in Texas. The event gives bands the chance to shine in front of music industry big-wigs from around the world and fans the opportunity to choose from hundreds for little more than a tenner a day.

Where and when?

It takes over Brighton for three days, starting this Thursday (15 May) and culminating on Saturday night (17 May) with performances starting from early evening long into the night. More than 25 venues, spanning pubs, clubs, theatres and even a chippy, are employed for the festival - so keep your eyes peeled.

Five to watch

Bon Iver – 7.30pm, Thursday (Pressure Point) - Ethereal loveliness from Canada, in the same vein as last year’s Great Escape hit Patrick Watson.

Johnny Foreigner – 8.25pm, Thursday (Audio) - Jittery, angular boy/girl fun from one of last year’s Road To V finalists. Superb live.

Saul Williams – 9pm, Friday (The Volks) - He’ll have something to say. You’ll want to listen. It’s a rare opportunity.

Primary 1 – 10.15pm, Friday (Komedia) - Old school summery beats, what Calvin Harris should have sounded like.

Crystal Castles – 2am, Saturday (Barfly) - Hotly tipped Canada duo who sound like Blondie having electro botox. 

One to miss

The Fratellis – 9.30pm, Friday (Dome Concert Hall)
Judging from their Radio 1 Big Weekend show they just can’t be bothered anymore.

Playing a rare UK festival date

Okkervil River – 10.15pm, Thursday (Pavillion Theatre)
Discovered in their home town of Austin at South By South West, their songs are so damn stoned you can’t imagine them moving from Texas too often.

Inside tip

Wintersleep – 10.30pm Thursday (Redroaster)
Organiser Martin Elbourne has high hopes for this band, another excellent mystical gem to emerge from the Canadian wilderness.

Worst clash

Glasvegas (Komedia) VS Laura Marling (Sallis Benney Theatre) – both at 10.15pm, Saturday. We’d pump for Ms Marling, who sounds far less Scottish. 

Be at The Great Escape if you like

Lots of musical choice, new bands from far off lands, the seaside, good organisation, surprise gigs. 

Avoid if you hate

Walking between gigs, songs you know the words to, queues, members of the music industry.

Festival tactics

Loads of the best acts are playing early sets so get down for them. Everyone’s going to want to go see The Ting Tings, Joe Lean and all the other NME bands, so avoid the queues and go check out the foreign bands, who according to Elbourne are more likely to be better and are less likely to be seen at other UK festivals.

The only festival that...

...offers such a cheap choice of bands. 45 pounds divided by 200 acts equals 23p per band. Sadly you won’t be able to see them all.

Fashionista or folky?

Definitely one for the fashionistas, Levis are even hosting their own ‘Ones To Watch’ evenings.  Many folk-ish sounds, though, in Tunng, Lightspeed Champion, Vashti Bunyan and Noah And The Whale.

Alcohol of choice

Brandy. It can get breezy of the south coast so best take a hip-flask to keep yourself warm in those queues. (Remember to stick down your pants to avoid confiscation).

Take your mum score

7/10. There may be the odd drunken bit of queue banter but it doesn’t go on much later than 3am and there are plenty of hotels where you can dump the old girl if she gets tired – or you could set her up with the head of EMI.

Can I still get tickets?
Yes , for £18.50-£22 a night or £45 for all three days. Click HERE.