Category: Preview

The Great Escape Festival, multi-venue across Brighton, 13th-16th May 2026

Almost there – less than 10 days now until The Great Escape kicks off again, bringing hundreds of local and worldwide artists from all genres to Brighton. It’s obviously super hard to pick just a few out but here are 10 recommendations from us – we’d love to hear who’s top of your list too! To note, the list below is purely from the main line-up – we’re still working through the Alt Escape stages. If you’ve yet to commence planning, hopefully this will give you a starting point of acts to check out…

Aimée Fatale (Thursday at 12.10pm, TGE Beach Soundwaves)

Featurette (Thursday at 3.35pm, Green Door)

Hank (Saturday at 3.30pm, Waterbear Venue)

J Appiah (Friday at 2.15pm, One Church)

Kids Return (Friday 10.15pm, TGE Beach Soundwaves)

Lemonsuckr (Wednesday at 10.15pm, Concorde 2 & Friday at 11.15pm, Prince Albert)

MADMADMAD (Friday at 3.30pm, Brighthelm)

Pigeon (Thursday at 9.15pm, Charles St Tap)

Vera Daisies (Friday at 8.15pm, Green Door & Saturday at 7.30pm, Prince Albert)

Winter Gardens (Wednesday at 7.15pm, Concorde 2)

Please check the TGE app for any changes to artists, venues or times – full line-up on the TGE website

Published 5th May 2026

The Great Escape Festival, multi-venue across Brighton, 13th – 16th May 2026

The line-up for The Great Escape 2026 continues to grow.

100+ new artists have been added to this year’s 20th anniversary edition bringing together the most exciting emerging acts from across the globe.

New additions include ARXX, Bella Kay, Ben Ellis, Bimini, Ceebo, Chase Icon, Do Nothing, GANS, Girl Scout, Kerr Mercer, PVA, Sassy 009, The Orchestra (For Now), The Skinner Brothers, Tom Rasmussen and many more (full line-up so far here).

With 450+ artists performing across 30+ venues, TGE remains the essential destination to discover what’s next.

You can now get a first look at which artists are playing across each day of the festival, helping you start planning your time on the ground in Brighton.

Whether you’re building your schedule around key acts, meetings or showcases, these daily highlights are your first step in mapping out the week.

The full festival schedule will be released one month ahead of the festival via the official TGE app.

Do check back in on the TGE website tomorrow when they’ll be revealing new updates for The Great Escape Conference 2026, including fresh speakers and programme announcements.

If you haven’t secured your place yet, now’s the time – tickets available here.

Published 31st March 2026

The Great Escape, 13th-16th May 2026, multi-venue across Brighton

It’s heading towards that time of year again when the streets and venues of Brighton are packed with music from every genre. With over 450 artists and the music industry-led TGE conference, the festival is a huge draw every year, and the most recent names to be announced have undoubtedly enhanced the already glowing line-up.

Heading to Brighton this May, the latest additions include UK alt-indie six-piece Adult DVD, with Irish rock duo Dea Matrona bringing guitar-driven energy, while London’s soulful hip-hop artist Bella Barbe and Birmingham rapper-producer Tony Bontana add grime and rap firepower. Experimental math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine from Quebec and Australian post-punk four-piece dogworld push genre boundaries, alongside 90s alt-rock trio HEADSEND, melodic London five-piece Marsy and alt rock shoegaze London band benchwarmer. Meanwhile, London alt-indie outfit Dead Dads Club, led by ex-Palma Violet frontman Chilli Jesson, injects post-punk flair, R&B polymath Wesley Joseph adds smooth, genre-blending grooves, whilst rising Sunderland singer-songwriter Tom A. Smith brings his anthemic indie rock and sharp lyricism to the bill. Fans of indie innovation will also welcome New York trio Chanpan, Brooklyn alt-indie frontwoman Julia Cumming of Sunflower Bean, Halifax rock trio TheOrielles, Margate Afro synth-funk five-piece Pigeon, Cardiff post-punk/disco five-piece Why Horses?, and emotive indie folk singer-songwriter Heidi Curtis. London-based pop singer-songwriter Lauren Auder and Australian songwriter Matthew Ifield round out a line-up brimming with global talent, with many more acts still to be revealed.

The Great Escape is also partnering with NME to celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary with a special spotlight show from locals The Kooks, who join previously announced spotlight acts Kingfishr and Peaches.

Check back in with us soon as we’re busy putting together our shortlist of must-see acts (and hoping they don’t clash!)

Tickets, full line-up and loads of handy info at greatescapefestival.com

Published 11th March 2026

Truck Festival, Oxfordshire, 23rd – 26th July 2026

A new wave of artists announced for this year’s Truck Festival has offered plenty more reasons why you might want to head to the Oxfordshire fields this summer – just a few of the names added are Divorce, Picture Parlour, GANS and Tom A Smith.

Some huge names from indie royalty already on the the line-up include The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, The Libertines, Kaiser Chiefs and The Cribs. You’ll also find Mercury winners English Teacher dropping in alongside some much talked about breakthrough acts  in Adult DVD and Girl in the Year Above. And let’s be honest, if this really is the farewell to Barrioke (Shaun Williamson), you don’t want to miss that!

Truck has established itself as a major player on the UK festival scene and 2026 promises another year of great music, comedy and loads of fun activities with a big old party atmosphere. There is still more to be announced so grab your tickets while you can – final tier is fast approaching and over 90% are already sold so don’t hang around too long – link here.

Check out the full line-up, more info and any updates on the Truck website.

Header Photo © Izzy Challoner

Published 5th March 2026

 

So Long Good Friday Festival, multi-venue across Liverpool, 3rd April 2026

The Good Times and HSP Presents have announced So Long Good Friday, a new multi-venue all-dayer in Liverpool showcasing the best new music at an affordable price.

In spring 2026, a brand new event brings some of the most exciting upcoming bands to Liverpool. Taking place on 3rd April, the first edition of So Long, Good Friday already boasts an impressive lineup, including a headline set from rising rock ‘n’ roll cowboys Fat Dog.

South London haiku-loving trio Honeyglaze and Chicago’s early-millenium indie-rockers Brigitte Calls Me Baby will close out their own stages, with more headliners still to be announced. The initial lineup also includes Halifax Heavenly band The Orielles, Wigan-born alt-rockstar TTSSFU and Manchester’s most high-energy electronic duo Silverwingkiller.

Jeanie and the White Boys, Monks, Credits, Mickey Callisto, World News, Curiosity Shop, Pevova, Kissing Peoples and Dave Lofts complete the huge first wave announcement. 

Tickets are currently under £30 – grab yours here!

Published 10th January 2026

Simple Things Festival, multi-venue Bristol, 8th November 2025

This year’s Simple Things Festival has a line-up sure to impress. Playing across multiple venues in and around Bristol Beacon, some well recognisable names include Adult DVD, DITZ, VLURE, Dry Cleaning and The Orielles. The list of names we (as yet) don’t know so well but are looking forward to catching up with features the likes of Clark, Iglooghost, Mechatok, Upchuck and Y.

Special guest Nala Sinephro is a talented purveyor of experimental jazz, fusing harp, synth and piano, the mix of styles and genres summing up the festival’s approach to offering up something new and unexpected.

The full line-up is below – full details and remaining tickets here

10 years of Nyege Nyege Tapes showcase ft. Kampire, Sisso & Maiko & PÖ, 15-15, Adult DVD, BaBii, Blackhaine, The Bug Feat. Flowdan, Warrior Queen, Manga Saint Hilare, Logan and Magugu, Ceephax Acid Crew, Clark, Danalogue, Decius LIVE, Deki Alem, DITZ, Dry Cleaning, Eiko Ishibashi, Factory Floor, Fatboi Sharif, Fievel is Glaque, Florence Sinclair, HAAL, Horse Vision, Hotline TNT, Iglooghost, Jadu Heart, Jawnino, jb glazer, Joshua Idehen, Kayla Painter, keiyaA, Kelan, Léa Sen, Lover’s Skit, Lucy Gooch, Malibu, Mandrake Handshake, Mechatok, MOULD, My First Time, Mystery Tiime, Nadah El Shazly, Niontay, No Windows, The Orielles, Pan Amsterdam, Psychotherapy Sessions Feat. Joker + AYA (DJ Set) + more, Punching Bag, Rachika Nayar & Nina Keith present Disiniblud, Rich(ard) Dawson, Run Logan Run, The Sick Man Of Europe, Smerz, Steve Davis presents: Graham Dunning & Strictly Kev (aka DJ Food), Sculpture, jb glazer & Stunty, TAKKUUK: A BICEP Scored A/V Film on Arctic Life & Climate, TEKE::TEKE, These New Puritans, Tracey, Upchuck, VLURE, Y, The Zawose Queens

Preview by Siobhan 16beasleystphotography.com

9th October 2025

 

Mutations Festival, Brighton, 7th & 8th November 2025

Halloween, Bonfire Night, Mutations Festival… the autumn months are shaping up nicely for entertainment, and back in its now familiar slot, Mutations comes to the streets of Brighton again this year for two days packed with an imposing line-up. A showcase not just for the artists but also for a great cluster of independent venues, Mutations has crammed some ground-breaking names into its 2025 party – there are going to be some tough decisions to make but wherever you end up, you’ll be able to catch some excellent music.

With 80 acts announced yesterday, pre-sale tickets go on sale at 10am today, with general sale this Friday and instalment purchase plans available. Friday sees Dry Cleaning, VLURE, Adult DVD, Makeshift Art Bar, Adwaith, No Windows and many more hit the stage, and on Saturday you can take in Benefits, Big Special, Nightbus and a whole string of others. This is going to be a good one!

Full list of artists announced below, ticket link here.

Friday: Adult DVD, Adwaith, The Bug Club, Ditz, Divorce, Dry Cleaning, Fickle Friends, Golomb, Hotline TNT, Ist Ist, Madmadmad, Makeshift Art Bar, Mandrake Handshake, Mary in the Junkyard, My First Time, Nadia Kadek, No Windows, The Orielles, Party Dozen, Ratboys, Renny Conti, Rip Magic, The Sick Man of Europe, Silver Gore, Stella Bridie, Teethe, Teke::Teke, Test Plan, University, Upchuck, VLURE, Vraell, Winter, Y

Saturday: Ain’t, Annie-Dog, Ashnymph, BDRMM, Bells Larsen, Benefits, Big Special, Blood Wizard, Brown Horse, Coilguns, congratulations, Courting, Dekker, Ebbb, Family Stereo, Fuzz Lightyear, Gans, Good Health Good Wealth, Green Star, Jools, Keo, Ladylike, Lambrini Girls, Lemonsuckr, Mamalarky, The Man The Myth The Meatslab, Mēn An Tol, Midding, My Precious Bunny, Nightbus, Night Flight, The None, The Oozes, Pan Amsterdam, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Saint Clair, Scaler, Sean Trelford, Skydaddy, Stealing Sheep, Teethin, Thistle, Truck Violence, Tooth, Waldo’s Gift, Wrkhouse, Yang

Preview by Callum

Published 27th August 2025

 

 

DedFest, Crockstead Fields, Lewes, 16th August 2025

Victorious Festival, 22nd-24th August 2025

For may years now, Victorious has kept its promise of being ‘the most beautifully located festival in the UK, featuring some of the world’s biggest artists’. Set up over the expanse of Southsea Common, the view across the Solent runs along the side of some of the stages and you might just spot an occasional ferry coming in from the Isle of Wight.

As well as the music, there are little pockets of traders selling a wide range of merchandise, over 100 food stalls and a kids’ arena that makes this an attractive option for families as well as hardened gig-goers.

But the music, of course, is the main attraction and there are once again some big names up for grabs over the three days. Headliners this year are Queens of the Stone Age (Fri), Vampire Weekend (Sat) and Kings of Leon (Sun). Elsewhere on the bill you’ll find the eclectic mix of Michael Kiwanuka, Madness, Sprints, Lime Garden, The Charlatans, The Last Dinner Party, Betty Boo, The Pill and Bloc Party – amongst many, many more.

As well as putting Portsmouth on the events map, Victorious has been active in supporting the local community through charitable donations and hours given supporting local schemes, contributing over £830,000 to local charities and good causes since 2014.

For more information, details on the line-up, and remaining tickets, head to the festival website here

Words by Siobhan

Published 9th July 2025

TRNSMT Festival, Glasgow Green, 11th-13th July 2025 

Attracting thousands of music fans to the heart of the city, TRNSMT Festival returns to Glasgow Green in July with a stellar line-up already announced. Across the 3 day musical smorgasbord, you can choose from some huge names mixed with a bunch of breakthrough acts that you’ll definitely want to see again.

Opening day on Friday includes a transatlantic visit from 50 Cent, indie favourites Wet Leg, causers of controversy Kneecap, the always entertaining and perfectly choreographed Confidence Man, and Edinburgh’s electro unit Redolent.

Saturday is looking strong – Biffy Clyro are sure to bring one of the biggest rock singalongs of the weekend, contrasting nicely with Scandipop singer-songwriter Sigrid and dance star Jaguar. Meanwhile, Underworld will no doubt have the crowd moving and might want to be watching over their shoulders at the unbounded talent of locals Lucia & the Best Boys and the mighty VLURE.

More talked about artists established and new on Sunday with BRITs rising star award winner Myles Smith and Brooke Combe making an impression with her accomplished live shows. More familiar faces come in the shape of The View’s frontman Kyle Falconer and a big show with big tunes expected from Snow Patrol.

It’s shaping up to be a weekend to remember – check out the full line-up and don’t hang about for too long before you grab your tickets!

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Preview by Siobhan

Published 30th April 2025

 

The Great Escape Festival, Brighton, 14th – 17th May 2025

Who’s heading to Brighton next month? It’s getting very close to Great Escape time once again and another exceptional line-up of emerging artists, with some who are very likely already on your radar and some headliners guaranteed to impress.

Last week’s announcement adds over 175 new names, with a coveted slot on The Independent Stage at The Old Market being filled by the brilliant Skunk Anansie. Other acts appearing will include popular locals CLT DRP, along with fellow punk protagonists SLAG and Bruise Control. For those seeking out a more laid back vibe, expect soulful tunes from Nia Smith and catch Knats picking up the jazz mantle. The recently announced late night programme adds the likes of Badger, Sim0ne and Mechatok.

With around 450 artists performing and an eclectic mix of genres and venues, there’s sure to be lots to choose from. To help you start your daily plans, here’s our initial Top 20 selection of acts we’re hoping to catch – some already favourites and plenty who fulfil the aim of discovering new talent, which really is what TGE’s all about.

Adult DVD (UK) – Leeds’ answer to LCD Soundsystem, expect skilful electronic beats and bring your dancing shoes

Aggrasoppar (Faroe Islands) – ‘Flower-punk’ outfit with playful production and performances

Angry Blackmen (US) – A duo of emcees bringing experimental rap from the revered Deathbomb Arc label

Ashaine White (UK) – Soulful rock, some beautiful tunes and probably a story or two to boot

Bighead Tea Drinkers (UK) – If the name itself isn’t enough to lure you in, go for the accomplished indie tunes

Black Fondu (UK/Ghana) – ‘Abstract grime’ and bags of energy in this one-person extravaganza

CIFIKA (S Korea) – Experimental pop and crystallised vocals, one to watch

Laundromat Chicks (Austria) – Chilled out jangle pop with a dash of humour

Maria Uzor (UK) – Known as one half of Sink Ya Teeth, Uzor’s solo shows float through electro, dance and trip-hop

Mechatok (Germany) – Electro-pop underpinned by classical training, this’ll be interesting to see live

Peter Xan (UK) – Don’t miss what’s guaranteed to be a performance to remember, the whole band are fantastic

Polite Bureaux (UK) – Broken beats and razor sharp spoken word lyrics, they just get better and better

Say Sue Me (S Korea) – Despite a tumultuous journey, the current line up are still going strong  

Search Results (Ireland) – Dublin trio making waves in the Irish indie-punk corner and beyond

SLAG (UK) – Popular and very present on the local Brighton scene, with a brush of jagged indie-pop

SOAPBOX (UK) – Glasgow’s latest name on the new music radar getting big live reviews

The Klittens (Netherlands) – Repping Amsterdam with catchy fuzz-pop with an edge 

TV Death (UK) – A fine blend of garage rock tinged with psychedelia

Velvetine (UK) – Alt rock with smooth vocals and an ethereal atmosphere, time to relax

Witch Post (UK) – Scottish/American pairing bringing angst and just the right side of chaos to the table

The full line-up is available on the TGE website and app with schedules in progress – it’s always good to check in nearer the time and even during the festival for any updates. Come say hi if you see us around!

Ticket options here

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Preview by Callum 

Published 8th April 2025

 

The Great Escape, multi-venue across Brighton, 14th-17th May 2025

It’s getting rapidly closer to that time of year again when a multitude of artists spanning genres and styles descend on the streets of Brighton for The Great Escape. With line-up additions still dropping, this year’s list is looking very, very good, and the announcement of the new Billboard UK Live Stage comes with a whole host of talented acts, featuring recent Mercury winners English Teacher headlining.

With the latest bunch of names added, the bill now includes some big recommendations from us in Adult DVD, Maria Uzor, WELLY, Ashaine White, Black Fondu, one of last year’s highlights Peter Xan, and delighted to see Polite Bureaux on there – with a big following in Brighton theirs will be a set not to miss.

Confirmed spotlight shows are scheduled for Peter Doherty, Warmduscher, Trampolene and Rizzle Kicks.

We’ll be taking a closer look at what’s to come over the pending weeks, in the meantime find the full line-up, more information and ticket links here. Catch you by the seaside…

Words by Siobhan

Published 5th March 2025

Tenement Trail, 12th October 2024, multi-venue event across Glasgow

Now in its tenth year, Tenement Trail is set to rack up another smorgasbord of talented breakthrough artists and bands, as it returns to Glasgow’s East End in just a few weeks’ time. Venues include The Barrowland Ballroom, Saint Luke’s, BAAD, Van Winkle, 226 Gallowgate and McChuills – all within easy access of each other to let you catch the optimum number of acts. 

Headliner Declan Welsh said: “Tenement TV were the first ever people to put me on a festival line-up. They’ve been with me ever since so to headline TENEMENT TRAIL feels like a proper homecoming moment. Last time we headlined The Barras, the place was sold out and bouncing. There’s nothing like this city and that venue and we know we can give a set that no one else can. Excited is an understatement.”

Make sure to look at the full line-up as there are some excellent inclusions sprinkled throughout. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s an early bunch of five recommendations from us:

VLURE – always our headliners, if you’ve not seen one VLURE’s visceral live sets yet don’t waste any more time…

The Era – compelling, absorbing, intriguing and all with a harp thrown in – this track is available on Spotify today, show it some love…

 

TTSSFU – if you’re looking for a modern day nod to Cocteau Twins, look no further… 

Imogen and The Knife – take some time out to get lost in the dreamy sounds of Imogen and The Knife…

rEDOLENT – a magic mix of synth-pop and dance beats, this should be a fun set…

Remaining tickets available here

Words by Siobhan

Published 20th September 2024

Mutations Festival, 5th-9th November 2024, multi-venue event across Brighton

Now very much a part of the Brighton festival scene, Mutations returns in November with a line-up that’s sure to offer up something you’ll love. Big names include Warmduscher, Kneecap and BC Camplight – across the board you can find treats in store from Adult DVD, Baba Ali, Dog Race, Hamish Hawk, Jopy, Spielmann, VLURE and Whitelands amongst many others. Making best use of the plethora of local venues, the Mutations website states:

‘We love Grassroots Music Venues, they’re the life blood of the music industry, the breeding ground for the next big thing and the beating heart of your local scene. Without these 9 key cultural spaces and the passion and commitment their teams provide, Brighton wouldn’t have the rich, vibrant, diverse music scene we get to call home. Please support your local Grassroots Music Venues, you’ll miss them when they’re gone’.

Those playing host over the week are Alphabet, Chalk, Dust, Folklore Rooms, Green Door Store, Patterns, Revenge, The Hope & Ruin and The Prince Albert.

More details and tickets available here

Words by Siobhan

Published 19th September 2024

Brighton Psych Fest, 30th August 2024, multi-venue event across Brighton

Adding to a growing chain of psych fests around the UK, Brighton will be making its mark with a new one-day multi-venue event across the city. And there’s clearly been no temptation to start things off slowly, as there’s a stellar line-up in place from the word go.

Lots of south coast talent on display from the likes of Genn, Ladylike, Hutch and Opal Mag, and some well established big names and emerging talent elsewhere on the bill too. Always an effervescent performance from The Bug Club, that’s one set that you will for sure leave with a smile on your face. Nottingham’s Divorce are well on everyone’s radar now and definitely worth a look to see how their music is developing. And Ebbb continue to maintain an under the radar profile, but are getting known none the less, their industrial electronic vibe befitting of the darkest Euro nightclub.

Top of the bill sits a band almost 20 years in existence, and who’d have thought back in 2005 that the black leather-clad five-piece would see out many a competitor and become so much more than an obvious guest on The Mighty Boosh. Over the years, The Horrors have confirmed that their talent is way deeper than their original goth-rock persona, producing some exquisite albums from Strange House and Primary Colours through to V. Expect a stand out set.

Brought to you by Joy Concerts, along with the team behind Manchester and Edinburgh psych fests, this looks to be a great addition to the diverse range of music events that sit so well in Brighton’s eclectic surroundings. Confirmed venues so far include Pryzm, Concorde 2, The Hope & Ruin, Komedia, The Green Door Store and The Prince Albert. Check the full line-up and grab some tickets here and give them a follow on Instagram for updates.

Preview by Siobhan

Published 16th August 2024

Victorious Festival, Southsea Common, Portsmouth, 23rd – 25th August 2024

Just a month to go until the magic of Victorious turns Southsea Common into an entire festival village for the late summer bank holiday weekend again. It truly is a festival site with a view, where you can catch some of your favourite acts while the boats go by in the distance on the Solent, or use the castle as a handy meeting point. 

This year’s event, as always, has some huge names playing and loads of other activities too. Headline slots are filled by Fatboy Slim (Friday), Jamie T (Saturday) and Biffy Clyro (Sunday). Across the various stages you can also catch the ever popular on the festival circuit Sugababes, boy band member turned indie champion Louis Tomlinson, near neighbours from the Isle of Wight Wet Leg, dance act award winner Becky Hill, the critically acclaimed Arlo Parks, and alt rockers old(er) and new(er) Pixies and IDLES. But don’t forget to check out the names further along the line-up too, as there are some artists there with big live reputations – keep an eye out for Fast Trains, Welly, Personal Trainer and Panic Shack amongst others.

Fancy a break from the music? There’s comedy from Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle & Al Murray, a kids’ arena, roller disco and rows of food stalls and other vendors. Bring your sun cream and if it’s a family day out do make sure you have ear protectors for any little ones (hearing safety tips come for free – it’s a personal bugbear!).

Remaining tickets available here but don’t hang around too long! There are also loads more details, the full line-up and FAQs on the website – do take a look to make the best plans for your weekend.

Preview by Siobhan

Published 23rd July 2024