The Great Escape 2014 - Saturday Review

Reviews of Thursday and Friday.

Saturday you've arrived so soon, the final day of The Great Escape and the weather forecasters (unusually, of course!) have it wrong. Instead of rain Brighton is full of blue skies (the wind is still relentless). After breakfast, coffee and another Ben's cookie (yum) it's an early start at Boutique. I can't remember what this place was called last year but it's not your usual gig venue, a red lit basement with seedy/sexy ambiance. It's not exactly the sort of place you'd expect to see The Cadbury Sisters but here they are on stage.

They are wonderful too and deserve a much bigger crowd then they are playing too, combining heart melting vocals with ever changing instrumentation. Ranging from sublime harmonisation with delicate acoustic backing to soaring peaks of complex, shimmering guitars and percussion. Their set reaches an almighty peak on their final track (and most recent single) "Milk" and I'm already in line to buy their forthcoming EP.

Afterwards and into the sunlight. I decide to head to Above Audio next to check out Lay Low but I get it wrong and it's not actually Law Low on stage but a band I have never heard of before Mammút and so I stumble across my 'unheard before' band of the weekend.

Mammút are fantastic, as compelling an act I see all weekend and you really cannot take your eyes off frontwoman Kata throughout. One moment their set is beautiful, ethereal, calm and delicate before out of nowhere exploding with soaring peaks of controlled aggression. Even for somebody who doesn't particularly listen to non-English lyrics I'm hooked (they sing in their native Icelandic). I try and explain what they sound like afterwards to a friend and fail, I end up with a tired Bjork-cum-Evanescence. Thankfully you can just go and listen to one of their tracks at the end of this post.

Because Mammút were too good to leave by the time I get up the road to Blind Tiger Powder Blue are already in full swing and it's another great set - so many in one afternoon. The Canadian quartet bring a rich blend of simmering psyche rock and big, punishing beats to the table, it's a combination I can't help but adore and I instantly fall in love with the swirling guitars of "Go On Forever" and the darker mood of  finale "Run". It's played to a packed house and I'm not the only one impressed.

Afterwards we head down to the front and with the wind firmly in our faces try and track down where Blessa are due to be playing a 'secret show'. We find it by the Carousel, in fact they play under a carousel horse (I'm sure it's a first for any band).

They play a short stripped back set as a duo, I've no idea if the band have experience of this sort of setup before (I've not seen any acoustic videos from the band before) but removed from the 'full live sound' of the quintet you can hear Olivia Neller's vocal in true clarity, prettier and more intimate than ever amongst restrained electric guitar with the rendition of latest single "Unfurl" especially suited to the surroundings.

I leg it back to Blind Tiger next and have to queue to get into an afternoon show (something I don't think I've ever done before at The Great Escape, an indication of the growing popularity of the festival for sure) so I have to listen to about two songs of Mise En Scene from outside, another new band to me, when I eventually get in I understand why the place is packed out; it's raw, raucous fun and I'm impressed.

The band exude confidence as well, the trio happy to shred guitars and shout at the audience to dance along, it's loud, vivacious and commands attention from start to finish, glammy, grungey, ramshakle noise with vocals that are prettier than you'd expect, I add another band to my 'check out after the weekend' list.

Beer Update 11: £4.00 for a pint of Red Stripe.

I head to The Loft next with the aim of seeing Novella but it's after their set time and the band before them are just about to start, I decide not to stick around and continue with my plan and so it is off to The Mesmerist I go to check out local band Fickle Friends.

It's fair to say the place is rammed, I get a beer and stand tightly packed near the front. The band are good, it's hard to believe they only started at the turn of the year. The sound is tight and the melodies are sumptuous, an irresistible blend of jangly guitar and buoyant keys get the crowd shuffling their feet even in their confined space whilst the soaring vocals make me think of some of the finest moments in 80's pop. "Play" and "Swim" stand out because of their familiarity but the rest of the set is hugely enjoyable and a band confirm their potential.

There is time for a beer in the Fishbowl before I head to Audio to see Powder Blue for the second time today, I'm in time to catch the start this time and the set is more assured than their earlier one too, the more traditional gig surroundings and darkness of the venue suiting the quartet.

They seem more confident and they get a great reception, it's not hard to see why, a beautiful, hazy maze of layers guitars, keys and some punishing percussion. "Go On Forever" sounding exceptionally good live, it's so good I buy the vinyl afterwards even in the knowledge I'm carrying around it for the rest of the evening and the only real disappointment is learning Shelby is a Man Utd supporter!.

Next to Komedia and French For Rabbits, a band I've been wanting to see perform for a long, long time. Ordinarily when a band start off with their biggest two tracks ("Claimed by the Sea" and "Goat") you'd perhaps be worried about the second half of the show but not here, the duo-cum-quartet (with the addition of a touring bassist and Amos from Fanfarlo/ Sophie Jamieson on drums) blossom throughout, a gorgeous, soothing blend of swoonsome folk and soon you are carried far away from the dark, bleak surroundings of the studio bar and land somewhere much more suited to their gorgeous tones.

I stay at the venue and afterwards comes Young Summer, her vocals are good but I'm left longing for a 'real band' to support her (she is accompanied by an electronic drum kit and samples), perhaps then she'd be good but I stick around because next next it is Blessa performing in more traditional surroundings than earlier.

The dark room is more suited to the shoegaze / alternative-pop sounds of the Sheffield quintet and their blend of dreamy vocals awash with chiming, anxious guitars sounds great. Brooding yet light, gloomy yet romantic, nostalgic yet modern, Blessa tick every box.

Beer Update 12: A Pint of Red Stripe for £4.10

Next I head of to Latest Music Bar to see the first band show by Eliza Shaddad, there have seemingly been a few scheduling problems throughout the day and there is only time to hear four tracks, Eliza plays the entirety of her forthcoming EP Waters and it's delicious, the title track especially suited by the addition of a rhythm section, it sounds enormous. Compelling and beautiful in equal measure, it makes for the perfect summation of the weekend and The Great Escape 2014. Musically one of the finest editions yet (there is the niggling suspicion that Brighton is at capacity about now and I hope the festival doesn't expand too much for next year, the festivals 10th year. I shall see you there regardless.

Beer Update 13: £3.00 for a can of Red Stripe

The Great Escape 2014 - Friday Review

I'm awake early on Friday morning, I paced myself quite well yesterday (here is Thursday's review if you missed it) and after breakfast I head to do a little bit of shopping. I purchase Joanna Newsom's Ys on vinyl, something I've wanted for a while before grabbing a coffee and a Ben's cookie and heading over to Sticky Mike's Frog Bar for the music to start a little after midday.

I'm here to see Wilsen play for the fourth consecutive day. The surroundings are somewhat darker than the previous two days (both in churches) and they are playing as a trio without the drummer they'd borrowed for their UK tour (of which this is the last) but Tasmin and band continue to impress me, today felt especially beautiful given the time and location, "Magnolia" impeccably delivered serves as the most gorgeous opening to the day.

To Audio next for a band I've featured lots here September Girls. I've seen them play at least a half dozen times before but they deliver the best set I've ever seen them perform. It's (wholly) the same material and the five piece still combine doo-wop harmonies, darkly psyche rhythms and pure pop but it's delivered with a less ramshackle approach and the professional, tight and non-nonsense approach really rubs off on the music. The place is packed and nobody seemed to be leaving. That's about the best plaudit you can get.

Afterwards I head towards Dome Studio and stop for a rest in the baking sunshine (honestly) and take in the songs from a busker playing in the street nearby. The set is mainly covers, some of which are hit and miss but there are glimpses of talent and undoubtedly a lovely voice. I later find her name was Stephanie O'Brien.

I quickly grab some food from Pompoko before bumping into Josh and Soph from Hella Better Dancer on my way into the venue to watch Honeyblood in the same location where I first caught the duo perform twelve months earlier.

(Stina picks up on it too) The crowd is noticeably larger this year and their sound has grown more confident, playing tracks taken from their forthcoming album at a furious rate, the catchy hooks and rumbling percussion of singles "Bud" and "Killer Bangs" met with especially appreciative nods of approval from the crowd.

Beer Update 7: £4.00 for a local craft lager (possibly the nicest of the weekend).

I meet up with a friend at The Mesmerist next but decide to go for a quick beer before returning to the same venue to catch Laurel. I'd not heard her before but was happy to go and listen when I heard a Lana Del Rey comparison and whilst obvious, it is pretty accurate. She plays pop songs with a dark, cinematic edge with a pretty vocal and her half hour passes well enough. I can't help but keep looking at the reflection of the crowds feet from the stage too.

Beer Update 8: I had a pint of Lanes Best but I can't remember how much it cost - it wasn't overly expensive.

Time for some food now and as we are in Brighton it'd be rude not to head to the front at least once for a chippy dinner, the relentless wind means that the task is somewhat more difficult than it should be and I refrain from walking along the pier or the beach and instead take shelter inside.

It's almost seven o'clock now and time for the evening session to begin. I head to see another band I've not heard of or listened to previously but one that I'd had recommended to me; Alvvays.

Once they being it takes me about five seconds to wonder how the hell have I not come across the Toronto quintet sooner, a sound that combines the bristling energy of Pains of Being Pure at Heart with Fear of Men's way with melody, it ace and amongst pop hooks and dreamy vocals I'm already booked to go and see the band whenever they next hit London (as well as writing up a proper blog on the band soon).

In the same venue next for Marika Hackman and I'm not sure if it's because she follows the care-free indie pop of Alvvays or my pre-gig expectations were too high but her haunting harmonies don't quite hit the magnetic heights I was hoping for, the voice is there and tracks like "Cannibal" sound beautiful but goosebumps don't quite arrive.

Beer Update 9: £2.00 (yes really) for a bottle of Becks. Prize for the most sensibly priced drinks certainly go to East Wing.

It's a short walk to The Tube next for Las Kellies, a band I caught up with about two and a half years ago now on one of their rare London shows and my love for the Argentinean trio instantly returns, a glance at their set-list reveals about twenty songs and you are left wondering how the hell they've going to fit them into a half hour set, they do and more too, continuing to play until a lady comes with a hastily made sign saying 'two more songs' (but the band don't see that and she has to change it to 'last song').

The band have the best rhythm section of the weekend, thudding bass and frantic drums propel their tracks and the quick riffs "Perro Rompebolas" is a joy. I've a soft spot from tracks from their Kellies album and "Scotch Whisky" is the perfect summation of the set, fast, ferocious, fantastic and fun.

I walk briskly to Unitarian Church because next it is Broken Twin, one of my favourite discoveries of recent time. I arrive half an hour earlier than her planned set time to find a big queue. A lot bigger than I was expecting. I spend ten minutes clock watching, worrying and not moving before we are told the venue is running half an hour late. Nerves subside because I'm pretty sure with fifteen or so people in front of me I'd get into the venue in time (although the delegate queue on the other side moves with annoying frequency and makes them return). Soon enough you can hear the deafening rumbles of some ferocious percussion from outside that signifies the Oy set, and I wait semi patiently outside. After about 45 minutes of queuing (my longest ever at TGE) and the end of the Oy set I'm finally inside and get a seat on the second row. Not too bad.

Although the picture I've included here makes them look like a rock band Broken Twin are anything but, touching deep at your emotions as Majke spends much of her time playing a real piano to one side of the stage, the true chords bring out further depth in her haunting and intimate songs. "In Dreams" is my favourite track on her sublime debut album May, I'm not sure what the echoed microphone is called but Majke nods her head up and down singing into it as the entire church watch in silence whilst her band threaten to bring down the place. They never do of course and there's a restrained elegance throughout this shiver inducing set, I've said this before and I'll say it again, Broken Twin should be your new favourite artist.

I walk out of the church and reflect, I finally decide to head to a place I'd never been before Neighbourhood. I arrive and it's not a venue at all, it's a tiny pub and the stage downstairs is easily the smallest thing I have ever come across. I'm not quite sure how they managed to pull off the line-up of acts they had (Russian Red played her earlier today; someone who sold out two dates at The Lexington playing a place that can hold about 10 people if they have instruments!).

Not long after Femme comes to the 'stage'. It's fun, immensely so and it's pretty much impossible not to have a smile on your face. She plays four songs backed by a DJ who provides the beats and in possibly the smallest place you'll ever see her and you feel lucky to have been in the crowd. For a couple of tracks two dancers reduce the audience space further and it's impossible not to dance along as well. The people clambering around on the stairs for a better view must have agreed too.

The audience is asked to go upstairs so they can get the room ready for the next act who is Sea Change and one of the discoveries of the festival is found. I'd previously heard (and blogged) about "Let's Dance" and I actually summed it up pretty well last month when I said "full of lush soundscapes and bewitching atmosphere that should go down nicely in a dimly lit sea-front basement". 

What I wasn't expecting though is quite how good it would translate to this extraordinarily dark front-room (and quite how small the venue would be). It's incredible. Much darker and intense than I was anticipating beforehand with electronic rhythms, glitches and bass guitar combining around Ellen's ethereal vocals with new track "Bridges" hitting hardest. It sent chills straight through me, managing to sound absolutely enormous and transporting you to some massive dance tent. Imagine seeing Fever Ray in front of about 15 people -that's how good this was (apart from the idiotic drunk who somehow found his way into the room). The only complaint comes when the plug is pulled on the set for apparently going on too long, I could have done with another hour.

Beer Update 10: £4.20 for a pint of Asahi.

After a little walk I head to meet a friend and watch a couple more acts and have a few beers before bed. Neither connect with me but overall Friday was quite the spectacular day. I paid £39.50 plus booking fee for my TGE ticket. I received that much value in acts today alone.

The Great Escape 2014 - Thursday Review

I feel slightly brighter now, I'm not sure if it's because I'm away from the battering sea-front winds Brighton treated us to all weekend (although, Thursday lunchtime aside the weather was on the whole nice) or if it's a decent nights sleep or a day off alcohol (probably a combination of all three) but no sooner than it had seemingly begun, The Great Escape is over for another year. The next three posts will serve as my review, the highlights of my weekend and some general observations as we go along. The first one - on Friday and Saturday especially the day time alternative escape shows seemed busier than ever before. Friday and Saturday's review might be delayed, as I've previously mentioned, I'm moving house (in about an hour).

I arrive into the aforementioned rain. It's a terrible journey to Brighton too, problems on the railway lines mean I'm standing on a platform at Gatwick Airport for half an hour and then have to head to Hove and grab a taxi to town instead. The first thing I notice is the wind, boy, the wind. It's raining as well. A beautiful start.

After a bag drop and trip to the wristband exchange (which has moved to the Old Steine this year) it's a walk up to the station and to Green Door Store first to see Ballet School (I had planned on going to Blind Tiger but our lateness hindered that). The Berlin based trio combine big punching beats with an even bigger vocal and soaring guitars, it's a potent combination of 80's power pop nostalgia that rarely pauses for breathe and one which draws a capacity audience to a Thursday lunch time show, though perhaps a later show would have helped to get people dancing.

Beer update 1: £4.20 for a pint of San Miguel.

After it's a new venue to me, Brighthelm. It's an unusual place, the front has a day centre, down stairs there's a pre-school and in the back there is a sizeable room that looks like it usually hosts amateur theatre. The first act I see is someone I'd never come across before, Aimee Gould. She's a young singer songwriter who takes to stage with a male counterpart and the duo harmonise throughout. Aimee's voice has a soft, pretty feeling similar to that of Emily and the Woods and there are indications of future potential throughout, especially on her recently released track "Don't Let Go".

Afterwards I quickly head to Pompoko (I head here for lunch every day, one of the two places - the other being Ben's Cookies - that I wish I could clone to my hometown) and back to Brightelm for the next act Wyldeck.

The first thing you notice is the hair - there is a lot of hair on stage but soon I discover an accomplished band, their darkly hypnotic rhythms are compulsive and have people in the crowd dancing around like they've found themselves in a Clint Eastwood movie.

A bloggers mini convention occurs before The Night VI take to stage and soon I'm hit by the first really swoon-tastic moment of the festival. A set book-ended by the fabulous singles "Thinking of You" and "Sienna" highlights a band with an infinite amount of potential, shimmering crescendo's, beautiful, soothing harmonies, a devastating lead vocal, catchy hooks, it's a set that has it all.

Beer update 2: £3.50 for a can of Becks.

I head back to my room quickly to check in and drop off my bag, I'm not really a fan of carrying stuff around all day!

Next to the main area of the festival and to the green, very green surroundings of the Heineken Stage. As you walk in you wonder where the stage is, there wasn't really one. A speaker in the corner of the room gives the game away and eventually it's joined by a microphone. I'm here for Eliza Shaddad and soon she plays amongst the unusual surroundings, on the whole the audience are obliging and remain quite as her soft, devastating tones fill the room and sounds never more beautiful than on "When We". Eliza later tells me she'll play her first ever band show on Saturday night and I make a note in my diary (in my head).

Beer update 3: A pint of Heineken for free. I think I got lucky and had a drink when Heineken were handing out freebies. I'm not one to complain! (it didn't taste very good).

I was left wondering where to start the evening but agree with my friend that we'd give Norma Jean Martine a shot, I'd not heard her before but we head to The Coalition shortly before she enters the stage and I'm impressed. Very impressed in fact. A young American (though from her soundcloud page I learn she is perhaps living in London now) who's piano led pop is made for the radio, joined by bright guitars and precise beats there's an instant quality to her music and her voice is quite lovely too. I make a note to listen to her properly once the dust settles on the weekend.

Beer update 4: £4.40 for a pint of Staropramen


I head outside and battle the wind to head to The Warren, a venue tucked away behind the shopping centre and find a mini world tucked away, more reminiscent of a Glastonbury area than a venue at The Great Escape.

I'm here for Russian Red who starts bang on time (I found most venues to be very punctual). There are a few technical problems and Lourdes seems somewhat more business like than her fun-filled headlining show on Tuesday (at London's The Lexington) but I'm still putty in her hands and I absolutely adore both her voice and her new direction, the rockier full band sound of her latest record is my favourite of her three records and the only thing I am disappointed with is that the show finishes after half an hour. I do like precise half hour sets, about the perfect length to showcase a band and for them to grab your attention but when you are seeing an artist you really like who doesn't often play in the UK, you can't help but want more.

Beer update 5: £4.00 for a bottle of Carslberg

I only intended to call in on Wilsen next (after all I'd seen her perform on the previous two days) but Unitarian Church is running behind schedule and I arrive in time to see the whole set. The acoustics of the church suit the restrained, shimmering atmospheric of their music perfectly and Tasmin's luxurious tones have rarely sounded so crystal clear, the audience are deadly silent and it's a joy to watch, especially when it comes to "Anahita", their perfect set closer.

I leg it up the road and get into Green Door Store just as Tennis begin, it's not often that you see a band with a couple of albums under their belt and you say this; the set highlight was a new track. I'm not sure what it was called but it was fantastic, a real edge to it, one that sounded bigger, brighter and catchier than anything the band have done before. Again, it's a band that have too much material you want to hear over a half hour set and there's naturally disappointment that we don't get to hear "Marathon" and more tracks from their debut but I leave happy I made the trip.

I quickly scoot across the road to the Prince Albert to see Arthur Beatrice and after some time queuing on the stairs whilst the previous band play I enter and find myself perfectly positioned at the front.

What follows is the highlight of the day (and probably the weekend too). A 45 minute set drawn from their wonderful record Working Out that is refined, restrained, elegant and brilliant. A mic stand failure aside everything is delivered with perfectly honed skill and I am left wondering why the band are playing a tiny, roasting pub room when there is a venue like the Corn Exchange down the road (not that I mind seeing them in a small venue of course). This is a band who should be playing to bigger crowds, hopefully they'll find the success they deserve soon. Go and listen to them.

Beer Update 6: £4.10 for a pint of Red Stripe.

It's now past midnight and I head to Sticky Mike's Frog Bar to see Claire, however, the band before are really not my thing and I can hear bed calling. I think the decision to retire early was the right one. Overall day one was a great start to the weekend where I managed to see almost every act I wanted to.

The Great Escape - Saturday Preview

By Saturday you might be feeling a little bit tired and more likely a little hungover but don't let that ruin your experience (remember to pace yourself), there still one last day to go. Saturday is usually the busiest day of the festival too as people who couldn't get time off work head to the coast and as ever, there are plenty of acts on offer for us to watch. Below are my five picks for Saturday at The Great Escape 2014.

Powder Blue - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

AUDIO

10th May 2014 6:45pm - 7:15pm

BLIND TIGER

10th May 2014 1:45pm - 2:15pm

Powder Blue sum up The Great Escape to me, getting the chance to see a band who probably wouldn't be playing in the UK if it wasn't for the festival and the opportunities it brings, it's the Canadian quartet's debut time on these shores so I've naturally no idea what to expect from a live show but from what I've heard so far, I cannot help but be excited...

"Run" is intense, buss saw guitars and throbbing bass colliding the eerily sweet vocal harmonies and "Dream in Black" sounds like an haunted, creatures of the night version of Warpaint. That sort of introduction is surely enough to have you queuing outside the venue before they start (behind me of course).

Blessa - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

KOMEDIA

10th May 2014 3:30pm - 4:00pm

KOMEDIA STUDIO BAR

10th May 2014 9:30pm - 10:00pm

Another band I've talked about here at great length are Blessa, the recently released "Unfurl" exemplifies exactly why I have and exactly why I think you should go and watch them. An immaculate guitar pop gem which combines a dreamy, exotic melody with seduction and beauty, the sort of band that should be playing on the NME stage aren't because they don't sound like a Libertines / Oasis / Strokes clone. Ah well, more fool them and more joy for us...

Fickle Friends - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

GREEN DOOR STORE

9th May 2014 9:15pm - 9:45pm

MESMERIST
10th May 2014 4:15pm - 4:45pm
(An Alternative Escape Show)

Local band Fickle Friends will be another act I'll be seeing for the first time over the weekend (as I have said already, I think it's the point of TGE, to see new acts) and will possibly be one of the few occasions where I'll be likely rubbing shoulders with the 'cool kids'. Their track "Play" sums up why, the perfect blend of radio friendly excitement and made for summer melody which combines infectious, chiming guitars, bouncing synths and a sweetly, soft vocal. It's impossible not to bop your head along in approval.

Novella - Facebook

VENUE / DATE & TIME

THE LOFT
10th May 2014 3:40pm - 4:00pm (an Alternative Escape show)

Novella have been quiet so far this year, hopefully because they've been holed up in a studio finishing their debut album but they play a rare live show as part of the Alternative Escape.

I've seen Novella countless times before over the past three years but I'm always left craving more afterwards, there's no other new guitar band that comes close to the London based group, one of a handful of bands who genuinely excite every time. Letting their music do the talking with long crawling sections of hypnotic guitars, a precise rhythm section and hazy vocals. It ticks all my boxes (I hope the 20 minute set time is wrong, that's about three tracks!)...

Eliza Shaddad - Facebook

VENUE / DATE & TIME
HEINEKEN STAGE
8th May 2014 5:00pm - 5:30pm
BRIGHTON MUSEUM
10th May 2014 9:15pm - 9:45pm

LATEST MUSIC BAR

10th May 2014 10:45pm - 11:15pm (an Alternative Escape show)

Last but certainly not least in my series of preview posts for this years festival is Eliza Shaddad, perhaps not for the partying sort but for those with a more open mind, Eliza is a guarantee to get your Saturday evening off to the most serene and spine-tingling of starts.

Take a listen to her recent track "You For Me" if you want to understand why, how could a listen to it not make you feel all sort of giddy, happy thoughts. A soft, haunting stunner. The rest of Eliza's live set is no different.

The Great Escape - Friday Preview

The Great Escape 2014 - Five for Friday 9th May.

If you missed my introduction and preview of Thursday, head here.

French For Rabbits - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

SPIEGELTENT

9th May 2014 1:15pm - 2:00pm

KOMEDIA STUDIO BAR

10th May 2014 8:00pm - 8:30pm

I will finally be catching up with New Zealand duo French For Rabbits. I can't quite remember why I missed them last time they were in London but in the famous words of Mcfadden and Whitehead, there ain't no stopping me (us) now...

The gorgeous, melancholia drenched dream-folk of their most recent track "Goat" gives a perfect example of what to expect from their performance, a beautiful hushed vocal and calming guitars combining to steal your heart. Sounds like the perfect start to the days music to me.

September Girls - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

AUDIO

9th May 2014 1:45pm - 2:15pm

CONCORDE 2

9th May 2014 6:30pm - 7:00pm

Long time blog favourites September Girls are a must-see next week and are another act I've talked about at length here (and as such I'll keep this post short, you should have the idea by now).

Their cavernous vocals, reverb-heavy guitars and precise drum beats provide a buzzing mix of 60's girl pop and 70's noir, stir in some sweetly harmonies and nods of approval are sure to follow.

Esben & The Witch - Facebook
VENUE / DATE & TIME
SHIPWRIGHTS YARD
9th May 2014 4:10pm - 4:35pm (an Alternative Escape show)

Local Brighton trio Esben and the Witch will play an Alternative Escape show (they aren't on the main bill for some unknown reason), a short set (boo) but one that promises to be an essential inclusion for your Friday plans...

I hope recent single "No Dog" gets an airing, an uncompromising, frenetic and brilliant track which grabs you by both arms and begs you to listen as pummeling drums and guitars collide with Rachel Davies' haunting vocals, it's a jaw-dropping listen and one that could be even better live.

Lyla Foy - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

UNITARIAN CHURCH

9th May 2014 7:30pm - 8:00pm

I've conspired to miss every Lyla Foy gig since her show at Komedia (then on the bill as Wall) at last years Great Escape, I'm promising to make amends and get my first live taster of her beautiful debut album Mirrors The Sky.

"Feather Tongue" highlights Lyla's sound perfectly, both understated and beautiful combining her heart-melting vocals with a perfect melody of gentle percussion and a bubbling synth undercurrent. The results is a gorgeous, dreamy atmosphere that is guaranteed to make your heart skip a beat or two.

Broken Twin - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

UNITARIAN CHURCH

9th May 2014 9:00pm - 9:30pm

I still can't decide where I'll be heading at 9pm on Friday (and I probably won't until just before I need to) so I'm going to cheat and make my five picks for the day become six. A heart-wrenching clash sees Broken Twin and Sophie Jamieson play at exactly the same time (thankfully I'll be seeing both artists in London during next week to take away the pain of the clash for me personally).

Broken Twin's debut album May was released this week is already my most played record of 2014 (recently overtaking the equally magnificent July by Marissa Nadler), as intimate and arresting an experience as music can offer, bring your quiet shoes, turn your phone off and immerse yourself in Majke's beautiful, dark melancholia.

Here's one of my favourite tracks from May, "Sun Has Gone":

Sophie Jamieson - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

BLIND TIGER

9th May 2014 9:15pm - 9:45pm

As I just alluded to, Sophie Jamieson plays at the same time as Broken Twin and as such I have a decision to make. Sophie is a prolific gig player around London but has never once let me down when I've seen her live, always a rare treat with her ever expanding band (now complete as a quartet?) adding extra depth, ambiance and beauty to her wonderful talents.

Last time I saw her play, she played "Dinah", "Ode to the East", "Stain", "Other", "Waterloo" and one more that I can't quite remember - that's pretty much as knock out half an hour set as you'll likely to hear. If you are thinking about heading to see Sophie, the one thing I can guarantee is that you will not be disappointed.



See Also. Las Kellies at The Tube (8pm), Sea Change at Neighbourhood (11pm)

The Great Escape - Thursday Preview

The Great Escape - Official Website

It's May and you know what that means kiddiwinks, Summer is well and truly on its way and festival season begins now. We are exactly one week away from the start of The Great Escape (okay, there are some Alternative Escape events on Wednesday night, but the festival officially kicks off on Thursday) when thousands of us bloggers, artists and punters alike will be descending upon Brighton for three days of wonderful music, beer and weather (well, we can hope about the last one!).

I've been going to The Great Escape six years now (this will be my seventh) and over the last couple of years the festival has well and truly come into its own, an ever expanding volume of venues (although some 'new' venues turn out to be old ones renamed), acts and increasingly secret gigs. This year the number of bands playing is higher than ever (and that's before counting the Alternative Escape - always a place to find new talent in perhaps quieter rooms), this year's festival promising to be three days full of more music than you could ask for.

There are many, many treasures lurking within the line-up and that's where I'll try and go with my three preview posts (one for each day). I'm going to pick five acts I think you should see each day, the point of TGE in my opinion to discover something that might just become your new favourite act so for that reason whenever there is a clash between two acts I like (and there are many with the line-up being so good), I favour the 'newer' act.

I've given tips and information before but anyone reading this and heading to Brighton for the first time, be sure to use your head... If you do plan on going to one of the 'hyped' artist gigs, the advice is simple, get there early. If you plan on waltzing into the venue two minutes before stage time, you will be mistaken and you will spend the entire gig standing outside wishing you were somewhere else. In the last two years of The Great Escape I've not queued up for more than two minutes in total (and that was because the venue wasn't quite open yet).

The Great Escape is a vast, widespread festival (if you've never been, be warned that Concorde 2 is a LONG way along the front, don't leave five minutes to get there) with many treasures to be found (and to help stamp it in, don’t forget The Alternative Escape when you are investigating bands you want to see). Hopefully these tips will perhaps help you decide who you want to see... One thing for sure, with new and emerging bands playing in venues no bigger than your front-room, music festivals don't get much better (and you get a warm bed and shower to go home to as well!)…

Thursday at The Great Escape - Five Picks:

The Night VI - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

BRIGHTHELM

8th May 2014 3:30pm - 4:00pm

The Night VI have been one of my favourite discoveries of 2014 so far, I couldn't make last weeks London show and as such this afternoon show will be the first time I get to see them live. Robin over at Breaking More Waves gave their show in Reading over last weekend glowing praise (we tend to bump into each other about a dozen times over the course of the weekend) and as such my anticipation level has increased even more.

With a beautiful EP already under their belt and the immaculate "Sienna" recently released there live performance promises to bring to life Sophie-Rose pristine vocals with smooth, widescreen instrumentation. It think it all promises to be the perfect start to your weekend.

Rae Morris - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

CONCORDE 2
8th May 2014 7:45pm - 8:15pm

The progression highlighted by Rae Morris (who I actually picked as an act to see in my TGE preview back in 2012) on her recent tracks "Skin" and "Do You Even Know?" is quite startling, bringing the Blackpool singer-songwriter out from the crowd of solo acts around at the moment with a haunting blend of intimate, emotive songs and a captivating vocal.

I'm not sure what her live performance will be like anymore. I'm hoping for a full band to back her plaintive piano ballads as well as goosebump moments aplenty and perhaps a rousing version of "Do You Even Know?" to climax the show. I think it's going to be worth finding out what happens...

Russian Red - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

THE WARREN

8th May 2014 8:30pm - 9:00pm
NEIGHBOURHOOD
9th May 2014 8:40pm - 9.05pm (An Alternative Escape Show)

I've only had the pleasure of seeing Russian Red once previously, a wonderful show at Union Chapel in support of her second album a couple of years back. Her two shows at The Great Escape (and a couple of sold-out gigs at The Lexington earlier the same week) are the first shows back on these shores since...

Her third album Agent Cooper has recently been released (although not yet in the UK) and highlights a fuller, expansive sound which combines Lourdes' impeccable voice with a new soft pop-rock direction. The rich, bright and dynamic instrumentation helps to bring out the unique sweetness of her voice and the catchy choruses promise to sound even better in a live environment. I can't wait for this one.

Wilsen - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

UNITARIAN CHURCH

8th May 2014 9:00pm - 9:30pm
STICKY MIKE'S FROG BAR
9th May 2014 12.45PM - 1:15PM (An Alternative Escape show)

Hi again Wilsen. I posted about the Brooklyn trio just yesterday with "Go Try" so I'll keep this one short and sweet...

I was one of the early adopters when I fell instantly smitten with "Dusk", the perfect introduction to the heartfelt, intoxicating songcraft that awaited within the debut LP Sirens, a stunning record that ebbs and flows with exquisite arrangements and devastating vocals. I'll be seeing Wilsen quite a few times next week and I can't bloody wait. Go and see her at one of her gigs too.

Arthur Beatrice - TGE Page

VENUE / DATE & TIME

PRINCE ALBERT

8th May 2014 11:15pm - 12:00am

One of my two heartbreaking clashes of the weekend sees Arthur Beatrice play at exactly the same time as Alice Boman. I've pretty much decided (if I can, the Prince Albert is tiny) that I'll see Arthur Beatrice ahead of Alice Boman because I've seen Alice before and she has a London show planned for early June.

Arthur Beatrice's debut album Working Out has crept up on me gradually over the last month or so and after numerous repeated play it's now one of my favourite releases of the year so far, awash with slow burning rhythms, exotic guitars and the beautiful dual vocals of Orlando Leopard and Ella Gerardot.

From the sultry, smooth beauty of "Late" to the joyous and frankly mesmerising singles "Midland" and "Carter", it's an album that oozes with both style and substance and I am still wondering quite why I am so slow on the uptake with the quartet. I think this one could get busy so best get there early if you want to attend.