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The Great Escape Festival...
review Revision or Barfly? Studying or gigging? Essays or live music? Daddy or chips? Why is it that some of the best events of the year coincide with the most important assessment periods for students! The chance of witnessing the first ever Great Escape festival here in Brighton was unmissable. So much choice, Hundreds of promising up-and-coming, well established, international, entire genre-spanning bands descended upon our normally sunny shores to be met with grimacing storms this weekend. But this posed no real problem. What did prove a problem was trying to decide who to go and see! So much choice, so many venues, so many bands, so little time! After kicking off the festival with the much anticipated premiere appearance out of Canada came You Say Party! We Say Die! The raw vocals from Becky Ninkovic teased the sardine packed Pressure Point into an anxious frenzy as they kick started the weekend with explosive energy. The Gapnoticeably their most eagerly awaited crowd-pleaser worked wonders as we were easily charmed into moving our feet hours before the sun was even thinking of setting. Leaving us wanting more more more we hot footed it to The Beach only to find fellow Canadians controller.controller had cancelled so Mumm-ra at Sumo tempted our unknowing taste buds only to be disappointed by different-band-same-music-itis so we headed down to the Spiegeltent in hope of talent. More than impressive vocals met our ears even before entering the tent to find The Like mid set. A strong stage presence along with their entrancing beauty allowed this ridiculously young trio to woo the audience with ease. As they meandered through the tent post-set they were immediately pounced upon by their overtly praising onlookers. Brighton boys The Upper Room took to the stage not long after to be warmly greeted by their fellow Brightonians - but needs must... places to go, more bands to catch. The Feeling at Komedia were our next port of call before heading downstairs to check out the smooth talking French favourites Tahiti 80. With both The Cribs and The Spinto Band headlining at The Beach and Audio respectively it was no surprise to be met by hoards of people eagerly awaiting the following after show parties. However, it was Thursday and Boogaloo beckoned as always and pulled an equally impressive crowd. Friday was all about quantity of bands but when quality accompanied our chosen trail; who were we to argue?! Artrockers Les Incompetents opened the evening on a light-hearted note to an open armed crowd before we were treated to the enchanting vocal talents of the Australian Howling Bells. After catching the latter end of Finnish Sister Flo’s set the highlight of my festival took to the stage. A.S Dragon really know what they are about. They have the looks. They have flirty French accents. They have catchy bilingual songs. But most importantly they have confidence and shock the unknowing crowd constantly, especially during “Spank Me” - need I say any more. After having our eyes opened to excess, The Beach met our desires for the evening and we were in it for the long haul. First up we caught yet more Canadians in the form of Metric. Having never heard of them I was quite taken by their electro-rock. Head-banging whilst playing the keyboard almost taking her eye out a time or two was a barely dressed Emily Haines. Sultry vocals backed up by lengthy jams between the rest of the band were the route they followed this evening and it went down a treat. The Sunshine Underground took to the stage shortly after to be met by screaming fans and MTV. Not a note was missed by the obviously talented Craig Wellington. These guys have a more than promising future ahead of them with slots at the forthcoming summer festivals up and down the country. The Mystery Jets closed the evening on a vastly overrated high. You Can’t Fool Me Denis opened their set and from this point my attention wandered. Not a good thing at a packed out venue with enormous expectant queues awaiting entry. Hoards of people were Having being forewarned that the venue would be emptied before allowing entry to the after party hosted by Adventures Close To Home, we left our precious place and rejoined the queue. Hoards of people, myself included, were tortured and held like cattle trapped behind a railing against the outside of The Beach. Rain battered against us whilst inside the bouncers - having already emptied the club of Mystery Jets fans - seemed to be chattering away happily. After a ridiculously long, cold, wet wait we were eventually allowed entry - after the delegates of course, who had queued for a fraction of the time! I’m very glad to say that it was worth the wait. Metric reopened the evening with their energetic set whilst the crowd dried out a little. Next up were New Yorkers Shy Child. Minimalistic electro beats belted out between the two young lads, back and forth. But it was The Gossip we were really here for - and what a performance they put on! Punk pop, loud and proud, this trio exude confidence and crank the volume even higher. How leading lady Beth Ditto managed to straddle the barrier in a dress, mash the crowd up and then return over the barrier to continue the set singing throughout I will never know! The set was lengthy but nobody noticed as it was well past the witching hour and happy faces adorned the crowd always expecting more. Gutted at not being able to make the closing evening of the Barfly, missing out on an amazing line up at Pressure Point from Shitdisco, Metronomy, The Klaxons and The Longcut, I most certainly would have been spoilt. After this evenings antics I was more than satisfied and with my hearing worse for wear, The Beach behind me and many great bands seen I couldn’t help but hold onto that Cheshire-cat kind of good feeling grin. Roll on this time next year!
about The Great Escape
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The Aquarium Theatre Bar
