ALT-J
This band will be right in the middle of their release cycle during The Great Escape, as their mighty debut album, ‘An Awesome Wave’, comes out in May. Mixing the weird with the accessible in exceptional, original compositions seems the idea behind their impossibly charming music. Fantastic hooks, beautiful melodies and a voice that’s so wonderfully styled you’ll be singing along, but with the wrong lyrics, although you won’t care because it’s all so addictive. (TR)
Bernhoft
Think of a one-man band and you’re probably imagining some bloke with a bird whistle awkwardly strapped to a drum kit and a keyboard. Think again. Bernhoft is a unique Norwegian artist known for perfecting the art of looping. The term ‘multi-instrumentalist’ was invented for artists as skilled as this. The singer/songwriter/composer/general musical all-rounder is expected to make more than one appearance at this year’s festival so make sure you watch him – twice if you can. (AJM)
Booka Shade
Turning people on the world over, it is impossible to not be in awe of what Booka Shade have achieved. Making others pale in comparison; they’re rhythms are abstract and harmonious, the beats melodic and complex. Simple yet never boring, layers moving and building upon each other. Underground techno never sounded so good. Find a space, get lost and absorbed. Let it flow through you, conduct you and deliver you to higher space. (RL)
Second Opinion
It’s always nice to have some variety at festivals especially for the likes of Great Escape this is why we’re extra excited about the German house duo, known to many as veterans of the Frankfurt electronic scene, joining us this summer. Having enjoyed a whirlwind 2011, featuring a frantic tour and providing Europe’s foremost electronic event, Sonar, a musical hangover, there seems to be a largely unfilled gap this year which we’re happy to attend… we’ll see you there. (GH)
The Boxettes
Four-piece female quartet The Boxettes are led by World Champion beatboxer Bellatrix, and if you haven’t seen them before, you’re in for an awe-inspiring time. Using their voices in harmony and layering a cappella over beautiful a cappella, their songs are a bit like if a barbershop quartet were brought to the future, or if a modern girl band could sing. Listen out for single ‘Free’ and their broken down, bass-heavy freestyles. (JMM)
Cave Painting
Shoegaze and afro-pop don’t seem like the likeliest of musical bedfellows, but this month’s cover stars Cave Painting aren’t likely to be fans of the predictable. Simple basslines, modern rhythms and catchy indie-pop lyrics, as evidenced on their recent single ‘Gator,’ make Cave Painting one of our top tips for Brighton breakthrough band of the year, as they’re memorable, accessible yet refreshingly unusual. Don’t take out word for it – you can download the single for free from cavepaintingmusic.com. (JMM)
Second Opinion
As well as showcasing artists from all over the globe, the festival leaves room in the already impressive line-up for local talent. Brighton’s Cave Painting join the bill to prove that they are worthy of worldwide recognition. The indie-electro band’s debut is expected to drop this month so it’s an exciting time to see this five-piece. Catch them before they climb the hipsters’ hype charts so that you’ll be able to say that you saw them “before they were cool”. (AJM)
Django Django
Some of you may still be feeling the delights of an earlier single entitled Storm that spread like wildfire – or maybe that’s just us. The combination of 80s pop rhythms with Beach Boys-esque vocals is a delight in itself as well as the setting of one of the friendliest mini festivals about; Django Django are sure to persuade the bright faces around Brighton. The Edinburgh quartet’s flawless harmonies will be quivering through the summer air once more with some new listens too – we hope. (GH)
Don Broco
Destined to be HUGE according to Rock Sound magazine, Don Broco have Brighton on their radar. With a full-length debut due for release this year, we should be in for a few new songs, so expect big things from these guys as their mini-album, ‘Big Fat Smile’ dictates. An hugely energetic band to watch live, including ‘the walk’ – a famous Don Broco certified dance that always gets the crowd moving, and the fovever-smiling cheeky chappy frontman, Bobby. Go see or regret it later. (LJ)
Errors
Having played in Brighton earlier in the year the Glasgow formed Errors return for the Great Escape Festival. Encouraged to listen by Mogwai, many have listened, indulged and found a new love in Errors. Labelled as post-electro, unlike most electronic music you will find very little monotony in these songs. This is by no means boring. Bringing in different sounds from directions you wouldn’t have guessed whilst piecing together melodies is not easy but Errors achieve it. (RL)
Foxes
Lousia Rose Allan is a female pop artist, whose debut releases arrived through the Neon Gold label, a home that has form in developing commercial winners such as Marina & The Diamonds and Ellie Goulding. If they’re your thing, then this will be your thing too. Her highly produced anthems will no doubt see her hitting a drum at the front of stage at some point, but like her forebears there’s an alternative edge to her gloss too. Stardom surely awaits. (TR)
Friends
This Brooklyn band may just be about to own 2012. They arrive at The Great Escape during the first phase of a giant tour that sees them take in a multitude of European and American dates throughout the summer. Their global jaunt is in support of their hotly anticipated debut album ‘Manifest’, due for release in early June. Although they’re clocking up plenty of air miles, it will be their slick hipster pop that will ultimately see them crowned as the most popular friends you’ve ever met. (TR)
Gang Colours
With Gilles Peterson, Ghostpoet and the Guardian fighting your corner, you’ve got a good chance of being the musician everyone will be bragging about seeing ‘before they were famous’ in 2013. Gang Colours’ carefully considered musical soundscapes build scenes from drum rhythms, visions from cut-up samples and an atmosphere with simple sounds that his contemporaries dream of. Debut album ‘The Keychain Collection’ was released to wide praise in February and this is one gang you’ll want to get close to. (JMM)
I, Ching
This London art school pair do to pop what Foals did to indie music. Their debut single arrives a few weeks before The Great Escape Festival, on Best Fit Records – a label born from the popular online music commentators Line Of Best Fit. I Ching’s light, cerebral pop delivers oxygen to all the right places, and the bubbles rush past just that bit faster when the duo expand to a quartet for their live show. (TR)
Jamie N Commons
His voice may lead you to believe that Jamie N Commons is a man who has lived a hard life for many years, finding his only pleasure from smoking 50-a-day and drinking whisky for breakfast. Believe it or not, Commons is actually in his early twenties and although his promo photos commonly capture him with a cigarette in hand, his husky vocals are a natural gift destined to bring blues into the hearts of a younger generation. (AJM)
Jonquil
Oxford’s Jonquil bring some well-needed beauty and eloquence to the Great Escape Festival. Subtle and enchanting, the band take influences from folk, acoustic, ambient and indie, blending them together with an effortless new twist. Haunting, fresh and touching with that first taste of summer, it feels like being in a meadow, wandering through daises, contemplating the river to dip your toes. Forget the future, the past, live in the present. (RL)
Kids In Glass Houses
In response to the high demand for all-ages shows at The Great Escape, Rock Sound magazine are hosting 14+ events throughout the festival. The first night features headliners Kids In Glass Houses. For their third album ‘In Gold Blood’, the Cardiff band created a dystopian world of carnal desires. Although the concept album’s accompanying feather covered costumes disappeared quicker than you could say “Why are you dressing like The Killers?”, their recently written anthems and contagious hooks remain intact. (AJM)
Second Opinion
Welsh lads, Kids In Glass Houses, having recently joined this year’s bill, plan to grace Concorde 2 with their melodic and riff-heavy alternative rock. After just finishing tours of Australia and the UK with the likes of You Me At Six, this band, it seems, can’t be stopped from excelling. Normally TGE showcases much smaller artists, so this is a rare chance to catch such a well established band. Expect great things such as powerful songs and bags of energy. (LJ)
Lianne La Havas
At the beginning of 2012, Lianne La Havas’s name was on the tip of the tongue of every critic and music blogger who claims to even vaguely know what they’re talking about. Her debut album will drop in July but before then, the 22-year old singer gets the chance to prove she’s been worthy of the internet hype. She’s already been tipped by MTV to make her mark and now is the time to let her folk and soul fusion shine. (AJM)
Lulu James
Say it quietly, but this talented solo artist from Newcastle is managed by Dave Stone, a man known particularly well inside Brighton’s music scene as one of the directors of Brighton’s Digital venue. So does the young Lulu have what it takes, beyond her useful manager? Of course she does, and then some. An awesome voice and a unique stage presence allow her to shine as she performs her dark, striking pop songs. No guessing which venue she’ll be shining most at this weekend. (TR)
Maxïmo Park
There was a slightly underwhelming reaction, possibly verging on disdain, to Maxïmo Park headlining The Great Escape. After a quiet year or two, this show is one of their first in the UK to coincide with the release of ‘The National Health’, their first album since leaving Warp. It’s typically earnest, full of Paul Smith’s bookish, angsty lyrics, post-punk guitar lines and clattering keys. The ‘Park’s live return is worthy of greater excitement – Smith remains one of indie’s most charismatic showmen. (BM)
Mystery Jets
Indie rock pioneers? Indie rock legends? Something like that… it’s hard to label these days with so many forerunners of genres sticking around to play some of the best festivals around. For the Jets, it’s still all about the music and The Great Escape is just another playground for them to run wild in – not to mention a new album. Okay, let’s mention it. Set to be released April 30th, entitled ‘Radlands’, it’s just in time for May’s party. (GH)
Negative Pegasus
Homegrown hard-rock band Negative Pegasus get a real kick out of making guitars sound like they’re in as much pain as possible. We’ve heard of weeping guitars – these ones are begging for mercy. Heavily influenced by 70s psychedelic rock but with angular, sharper basslines, this Brighton trio always go down well with the home crowd. (JMM)
NZCA/Lines
This is the project of London solo artist Michael Lovett, who designs immaculately smooth, minimalist electronic pop music. Falsetto vocals, delivered as if they were synthesized notes played on a keyboard, float lightly over elastic beats. There are elements of the r’n’b genre on show here, something Lovett embraces, but there’s also comparisons made to Metronomy. His self-titled debut album arrived earlier this year to much acclaim, so let’s see if his live set matches its ambition. (TR)
Peace
This exciting quartet completed a 19 date tour earlier this spring and immediately followed it up with another run around the country in support of the Mystery Jets through April. A ‘peace march’ indeed. Their promise has the hipsters and journalists salivating in equal measure as their music seems a hybrid of Foals, Wu Lyf, Money and Trophy Wife. Sharp guitars, echoed vocals, tropical drums, a keen sense of melody and power, they’ve got it all. Let’s just hope they have something left in the barrel for The Great Escape. (TR)
Porcelain Raft
Listening to this Italian solo artist’s debut album, ‘Strange Weekend’, is like taking a carefree wander through a range of contemporary genres. Glo-fi, shoegaze, dream pop, you name it, it’s all darn well there. You would imagine that by trying to serve up every dish he would in fact seem a jack-of-all-trades, but in fact he’s mastered them all and rather than being left with a mouth coated in glucose, his expertly produced, melodic music refreshes at every tasty bite. (TR)
Pond
Pond aren’t just a band, more they’re a side project, involving several members from the Perth group Tame Impala, allowing them to further experiment and let loose. They got together several years ago for a no-holds-barred recording project that had the bars sadly put on hold when Tame Impala blew up. Fast forward to 2012 and we finally get to see them release their album ‘Beards, Wives, Denim’. However, reports from SXSW suggest it’s with their live sets that we will see them fully letting loose. (TR)
S.C.U.M.
Oft compared to the Horrors, S.C.U.M followed the same goth outrage traditions, combining glum faces with atmospheric and very very loud shows. Lately, Mr Peaches Geldof and co have chilled out somewhat, and started producing music that’s still moody, but experimental, softer, and generally much more appealing. The band’s latest single ‘Faith Unfolds’ widened their demographic comfortably, revealing 80s new wave synth pop influences we’d never have expected, with crashing echoes and deadpan vocals. (JMM)
Swiss Lips
You have to do a fair bit of walking around Brighton during The Great Escape, as you hop from venue to venue. If you’re looking for an injection of energy then look no further than this Manchester five-piece. Comparisons to MGMT, Walk The Moon and The Naked & Famous are correct and true, suggesting they’ll be absolutely massive before the end of 2012. Their youthful exuberance applies 10,000 volts up the asses of all those in attendance, providing plenty of energy to keep you lapping around Brighton. (TR)
Toy
This five-piece contain three members who descend from Brighton’s Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong, a group that disbanded three years ago after much over-hyped under-achievement. This unavoidable fact could sink them before the new ship even sets sail, but thankfully they’ve released a couple of very strong singles, channelling everyone from Neu to My Bloody Valentine and causing much buoyant hype along the way. It just shows that it’s the music that floats you; that and a snappier band name. (TR)
We Are Augustines
This alt rock duo from Brooklyn formed out of the ashes of the band Pela, a now defunct group that have had to watch their members go on to write one of that genre’s finest albums in years, with their debut release, ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’. It’s a consistently endearing set of anthemic guitar tunes that only North Americans can write, from Bruce Springsteen to Arcade Fire, with a little melancholy recalling the charm and darkness of Eels. This show should prove something of a spirited journey. (TR)
We Are The Ocean
Post-hardcore Essex dwellers, We Are The Ocean join The Great Escape Festival this year. Having started out on the more heavier side of the genre, the band gained fans quickly. However, they have engineered their sound to be a little more mainstream, and the former screamer now sings with his gruff, but impelling voice. Their new album, Go Now And Live, has helped them to reach new heights, of which you must bear witness. (LJ)
Wild Belle
This is a brother-sister duo from Chicago, formerly known with the band Nomo. This new project has earned them levels of buzz so loud it had The Guardian proposing “Lana Del Rey-sized interest” in the months to come. Their pop fusion heats to Santigold or MIA levels before cooling to St Etienne-styled smoothness. As one of the stand-out winners from SXSW their UK appearances should prove rammed, so perhaps get there early. Very early. (TR)
Zulu Winter
Don’t let the term ‘buzz band’ put you off this London five-piece. There’s absolutely nothing temporary going on here. Here is a group making credible indie anthems that draw comparisons to Friendly Fires and Wild Beasts. Their ability to write songs that immediately sound like singles should see them competing with those bands upon the booking schedules of our larger venues once the album’s out. The Great Escape is known for showing off tomorrow’s big bands today, and this should prove the perfect example. (TR)