The Alternative Escape runs alongside the main festival as an extra treat for wristband holders and regular punters alike for all labels, promoters and organisers to show off their latest signings inimitable musical talents. All headed up by Brighton’s own Lout Promotions, expect to see international and local bands of the moment flocking to Brighton to play in the city’s more unusual locations for an unforgettable live experience. This week we shall bring you our cherry-picked listings of the best of the Alternative Escape, and off the radar extras as well, although full listings can be found here.
WEDNESDAY
Latest Music Bar start up the proceedings early, celebrating in part the festival and some guy called Adam’s fortieth birthday. Join him and them for a free night of fun from 8pm onwards. First up is Phil Jeays plays with his band, dark-duo Bitter Ruin play their brand of alt-folk, Tweecore faves The Bobby McGees pop by, Dominic VonTrapp of Sweet Sweet Lies plays a medley of original songs and comic book punk-rock from Pog. That’s a lot of line-up.
The Prince Albert are in on it too, as Indie Popsters Doll & The Kicks make a surprise visit to The Great Escape on the Wednesday, as well as an acoustic set the following night at Circus Circus. The intimate, surrounds of the upstairs room at The Albert will hold fort to the melodic alt-rock of Turncoat, having just released their debut album An Adventure In Skill And Chance and Full-throttle indie-rock group Riot Riot bursting forth from the stage.
THURSDAY
Launch night’s about to get sick – exclusive to the Gaymers cider stage at Hector’s House – Eighties Matchbox B-line Disaster set to play a seminal show at the ultimate sweat-and-grot venue in anticipation of their new album Blood & Fire out just after the festival, so listen out for new tracks. Supporting are the awesomely volatile Violent Soho, set to play with all guns ablaze. London’s Little Death play melodic rock ‘n’ roll, all exclusively at Hector’s Gaymers stage.
Down on the seafront Xtra mile recordings puts on a special showcase for us lot of their latest protege in the belly of the ship-shaped pub. Everyone’s favourite melodic rock-pop pin-ups The Xcerts, joined by Welsh indie-rockers Straight Lines, covering all corners of the UK in the line-up, to Finnish Jaakko and Jay’s manic punk acoustic sounds and Fighting Fiction giving it some during the day into evenings proceedings.
Of course no Alternative listings would be complete without tooting our own horns for our Launch party with Brighton’s best music blog, The Recommender. We bring you our favourite acts coming out of Brighton and beyond, all for free. Starting off at 10pm with Eighties electro-pop tinged act Mirrors with us at The Black Lion, followed by David-Byrne fronted Foreign Office packing a punch of indie flavour, our latest cover star The Agitator tells it like it is in his own unique style; synth-poppers Velo bring a well-honed set into our midst, to indie glitch-pop favourites Pope Joan rounding it up nicely, free and open to everyone, just make sure you get down there early.
Fat Cat records get in on the fun this Thursday with a party at The Loft showcasing three young talents : Here We Go Magic from hotbed of music talent Brooklyn nyc play wonderfully upbeat tunage alongside Garage-popster Young Rivals and the morosely atmospheric sounds of Wild Palms making waves at the moment.