The Great Escape
If you’ve been keeping up to date with us here you’ll know that despite 2016 just beginning, it’s time to start thinking about festival season. If you’re anything like us it’s a nightmare just figuring out how many you can afford, let alone actually choosing which ones to go to. Fortunately we’ll be covering the cream of the crop for UK festivals in the coming weeks and today we’re starting with none other than Brighton and Hove’s The Great Escape.
One of the early birds of the festival season The Great Escape kicks off May 19th and finishes on the 21st. Imbued with the diverse and colourful atmosphere that runs deep in the veins of Brighton and Hove, The Great Escape has been much loved since its inception and will be celebrating its tenth year on the circuit. With three days worth of music and events being held across 30 venues throughout the city it’s the closest you’ll come to Austin’s SXSW festival without having to jet off to Texas.
So who’s about this year then? A brief glance at the line up so far bodes well for this year’s fest with the wonderful Mystery Jets, 9-piece colossus Dorsal Fins, Polish outfit Sorry Boys and many more; and there’s still loads to be announced.
As ever The Great Escape leads the pack in Europe for showcasing the best new music around and will also be hosting its renowned music convention that pools the best names in the industry for three days of panels, workshops, networking events and insight sessions. If the convention is calling to your inner muso then be sure to purchase a delegates pass ticket (which is a bit steeper in price than general admission) for priority access to festival venues (subject to capacity) and access to all core events at the convention.
There’s also the very special Spotlight Shows (formerly Dome Shows) that run alongside this year’s fest, which include Oh Wonder, Shura and Mura Masa. These shows do not come as part of your festival ticket so if those names entice you you’ll either need to purchase an £8 top up for your wristband for guaranteed entry or to buy separate tickets for each show you want to hit.
As for accommodation there are two options. Firstly, you’re lucky enough to have a friend that doesn’t mind you crashing for the weekend providing you bring enough booze and smiles, or you get yourselves checked-in to one of Brighton’s many cosy establishments. We do recommend that if the latter is the path you want to follow do it sooner rather than later, Brighton’s never been cheap and it’s not going to change closer to the fest.
It’s very possible that for you, fancy additions and digs aren’t necessary and all you need is included in the standard price of admission. So if that’s you rejoice as right now 3-day festival saver tickets are just £59.50 (plus booking fee), which is an absolute steal for your kick-start to the festival season. If we’re honest though, whatever package you settle on is a bargain for one of the UK’s finest festivals.
By Chris Mackin