The Great Escape - Brighton's brightest newcomer

Bringing the best new music from across the world to Brighton on 15th, 16th and 17th May 2008

In it’s debut year, The Great Escape immediately became one of Europe’s best global export ready showcase festival. The Great Escape 2007 was a huge success, with Brighton’s larger capacity venues on board showcasing even bigger bands than the previous year, including Jack Penate, The Magic Numbers, The Maccabees and Kate Nash. The Great Escape 2008 is set to run on a grander scale still.

“A pacemaker for the sweaty horde of festivals to come”
The Observer

“Same time next year?”
Mojo

“An extraordinary event”
Artrocker

The Great Escape has announced many of the bands booked to perform at the annual festival in May 2008.  An exciting combination of new and rising artists will play in one of the 25+ venues in Brighton over the three days.

The 2007 Mercury Prize nominated trio Young Knives have been perpetually building a firm reputation for themselves with two albums under their belt and a potential chart breaker record for March 2008- just in time for their Great Escape appearance. This year's bright new young things Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong are out on the NME tour in the early part of 2008 so will be ready for a blistering performance on arrival at The Great Escape.

The Great Escape have been booking in the bands for their Mojo sponsored stage which will feature acts like Black Mountain from British Columbia, Tunng who will be bringing their electronic folk sound hot off the back of shows in Australia and France and talented young Paris based artist Peter Von Poehl.

Other artists confirmed to play include Brighton's best kept secret Fujiya & Miyagi who Mojo heralds as "Exhilarating" and "Impressively Melodic",  Lightspeed Champion Devonte Hynes' new venture of charming country folk pop and David Brewis of Field Music fame will also be showcasing his new project School of Language.

The Great Escape is all about spotting new talent and bringing them to a bigger stage where they can perform to a packed out crowd and the world’s booking agents, festival bookers and record labels. The festival will be backing the likes of Ebony Bones and White Lies who are both currently unsigned and tipped by The Great Escape to follow in the footsteps of Adele, Kate Nash and Jack Penate who have been incredibly successful since playing the festival.

It’s not all about the UK, however. In previous years The Great Escape has also played a major roll in breaking acts from Canada, and last year both Besnard Lakes and Patrick Watson stepped into the limelight following their acclaimed performances at the festival. This year some amazing talent will hit our shores from the country that spawned Arcade Fire and Neil Young, including Volcanoless In Canada, Wintersleep, Plants And Animals, Torngat and Kreif’s Broken Mirrors.

The Great Escape Website