As we enter that craved festival season again, the sun is starting to shine and Brighton’s ready to get brighter for the welcome of The Great Escape 2023.
Spread across 30+ walkable venues between 10th – 13th May, the seaside leaves behind its bucket and spade to embrace some of the world’s most anticipated upcoming artists, as well as the return of some crowd favourites. The shore is prepped and decorated with over 500 musically gifted talents, making it the perfect location to kick off 2023’s summer celebrations.
Claiming the Spotlight Shows this year are two of the UK’s most dynamic, female, contemporary singers, Arlo Parks, and Maisie Peters, and also the chart-topping British rapper Unknown T. Parks, 22, and already a Mercury Prize winner, delivers a particular angst message within her music as she sings about substance abuse, being in love, and trying to navigate your 20s in today’s society. Indeed, not an act to miss as we expect to see tunes from her upcoming album ‘My Soft Machine’ before its release on 26th May.
Peters, 22, a previous TikTok sensation, known for her love letter of songs, grabs the attention of a similar audience as she sings about dealing with troubled relationships and getting over breakups. Her music compiles the deep sadness of a well-deserved cry and the beautiful realisation that everything will be okay. A feel-good moment of the weekend is ensured.
Unknown T, 23, grabs the last spot of the headline shows with his versatile drill style, channelling personal anecdotes from his upbringing and his dalliance with crime. His music is easily one of the most influential sounds of rap to come out of East London today and is an excellent showcase of the genre’s evolution.
Although the roster for the weekend is well and truly packed to the brim with flair, there are a few that have already caught our eye that we’ll undoubtedly be in amongst the crowd for. First up is a string of acts from the renowned indie scene of Glasgow, featuring the rising quartet Spyres as they set out to teach the beach about the life of a Scottish teenager, and soloist Dylan John Thomas, appearing with his trusty acoustic and some of the most infectious head-bopping tunes.
Across the waters comes Ireland’s post-punk five-piece, The Murder Capital, once they’ve ‘returned their head’ from a recent Coachella debut. From Leeds, we’re excited to hear the synth-y guitars of So Young favourites, English Teacher and the poetic sounds of Liverpool’s female-led Picture Parlour. Yet closer to home there’s a dangerously good lineup from some of London’s most notorious bands like Sorry, Heartworms, FEET and Deadletter.
With what already promises to be a real party in the sun (fingers crossed), we’re thrilled to announce our return to the shore with a stage on the beach. Kicking us off on the Friday are Teeth Machine as they infiltrate the earlier hours with a melancholy style of grunge, easing us nicely into the night ahead. Next up is Oscar Browne, a seamless contrast from the previous act as he brings along a unique, ethereal sound of experimental folk and hazed indie, creating a superior feeling for a day in the sun.
As we reach the middle, Nottingham’s quartet Divorce joins the team, sharing an alternative view on country music, with a twist of filth hidden amongst cynical lyrics. Their discography contributes as a story to the band, exploring the vulnerability within their juvenile selves and also showcasing a great sense of humour to foot-stomping tunes. Dear friends Humour follow, throwing some menacing screams from the Glaswegian punk crew across the sea, sure to draw the attention of the heavy-hitting riot listeners. Then finally we close with London’s Fat Dog, fuelling the stage until the very last second with ultimately classic rock ‘n’ roll melodies and rapture.
So if it’s a chance to see one of your favourites out in action, or you’re looking for an excuse to hear some good new music, then a trip to The Great Escape 2023 isn’t one to ignore.
Join us on Friday at the beach!
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