Next month, the UK’s premier showcasing event, The Great Escape kicks off. It’s an incredible opportunity for bands to present themselves to new audiences, and it has been a staple for many years for Australian talent.
Running from the 15th to 18th of May in Brighton, there are more than 500 artists from around the world, performing across thirty venues that are in walkable distance of each other, and a popup site on Brighton Beach.
Supported by Sounds Australia, there will be twenty three Australian acts performing at the festival. Sounds Australia will also be running their own showcases, on Thursday, May the 16th and Saturday, May the 18th.
There is also a conference which runs alongside the gigs, and amongst the keynote speakers this year is the legendary Jarvis Cocker.
Head to the official Great Escape website for more details and ticketing options.
Sounds Australia Showcases
There will be two showcases for the Australia bands, on Thursday at Komedia, and on Saturday at TGE Beach – the music kicks off at 12:10pm on both days
Thursday May 16 – AUSTRALIA SOUNDS LIKE SHOWCASE, Komedia, 44-47 Gardner St, Brighton
There are two stages, each set runs for 25 minutes.
Rum Jungle, Rowena Wise, Cat & Calmell, Forest Claudette, Kobie Dee, Basement Stage, Radio Free Alice, Asha Jefferies, The Buoys, Gut Health, Teenage Dads
Saturday May 18 – AUSTRALIA SOUNDS LIKE SHOWCASE – TGE Beach, Brighton Beach
There will be three stages.
Kobie Dee, Rowena Wise, Rum Jungle, Keiynan Lonsdale, Forest Claudette, Cat & Calmell, Johnny Hunter, The Belair Lip Bombs, The Southern River Band, Elsy Wameyo, Battlesnake, Tamara & The Dreams, Platonic Sex, ENOLA, Go-Jo, Gretta Ray and Full Flower Moon Band
For more details – head to the Sounds Australia website
Australian Artists performing at The Great Escape 2024
Allysha Joy
Allysha Joy is entrenched in the Melbourne jazz scene, and is the frontwoman of jazz collective 30/70. Her solo work is gaining much attention. She is a multi-hyphenate performer who is also well known for her poetry. Her music has diverse influences; from jazz to hip hop to R’n’B. A seriously talented artist.
Asha Jefferies
Asha Jefferies has just released her debut album, Ego Ride, a record which delves in the challenges faced by a woman who is navigating the expression of her queerness.
Asha has a great self-awareness, and her songs are a journey of self-discovery and breakthroughs. Asha has has been a finalist in both the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition and the International Songwriting Competition (ISC).
Battlesnake
Battlesnake are always incredible live. Their shows are mayhem, and full of theatre. It’s a fun nostalgia trip of ’70s over-the-topness. But make no mistake, there is quality musianship amongst the madness.
Cat & Calmell
Hailing from Sydney, the pop duo, Cat and Calmell have just released their latest single, “give urself 2 me”, and will be touring the UK and Europe for the first time. It should be a big year for the pair, who last year released their debut mini-album How Do You Feel?
Elsy Wameyo
Elsy Wameyo is one of the emerging stars from the Adelaide hip-hop scene. Elsy won five awards at the 2022 South Australia Music Awards. The Nairobi-born and Kenyan-raised singer, rapper and producer has also won a 2024 APRA Professional Development Award, and has been on the stage with the likes of Genesis Owusu, Sampa the Great, and Hilltop Hoods.
Enola
Post-punk artist ENOLA was one of our picks from the 2023 SXSW in Sydney, and is bound to make a similiar splash in Brighton. Don’t miss them.
Forest Claudette
Breakout alt-R&B singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Forest Claudette has been making waves. From performing at SXSW in Austin, and is on the lineup for VIVID in Sydney this year, Forest is winning hearts wherever they perform.
Full Flower Moon Band
This band is always incredible live. Hailing from Brisbane, frontwoman Babyshakes Dillon is totally entrancing, but so too is the rest of FFMB. Don’t miss them.
Go-Jo
Go-Jo is another multi-hyphenate who can do it all. Writes his songs, records them, produces and brings his music to the people, engaging with fans as few others do. Check out his Instagram for an idea. Catchy tunes from a dude you want to hang out with.
Gretta Ray
Gang of Youths are massive fans of Gretta Ray, and for good reason. She won Triple J Unearthed in 2016 as well as the prestigious Vanda and Young Global Songwriting Prize, and supported Maisie Peters on her UK tour, including her final show at Wembley Arena.
Gut Health
Melbourne’s art-punks Gut Health are pretty fresh on the scene, yet have already supported Queens of the Stone Age on their tour of Australia. Our reviewer Mick Radojkovic has them pinned as “Think B-52s meets Devo meets Sonic Youth.,“
HighSchool
Raised in Naarm/Melbourne and now living in London, they have a post-punk sound that well suits their new environs. We’ve been fans since 2022, and the word is getting out about HighSchool. Might be hard to find on socials, but worth hunting them down.
Johnny Hunter
An incredible live act, Johnny Hunter isn’t afraid to wear makeup and challenge sterotypes. With a love of New Order, Joy Division, Nick Cave and a thirst for performing, we can’t wait to see them again.
Keiynan
Kaiynan is an artist across many realms. His has scored major achivements for being a model, acting as well as his music. He will be bringing his seductiv R&B to Brighton showcasing love, frustration and heartbreak.
Plutonic Sex
Alt-rock with gorgeous melodies and guitar hooks will have you falling for Platonic Sex. With killer post-punk vibes and high-energy live shows, they are one to watch.
Radio Free Alice
This is a band I’m especially looking forward to. Radio Free Alice are a 5-piece from Melbourne, guitar driven, with yearning vocals. Reminiscent of Robert Smith and Joy Division. They released their self-titled debut EP last year, give it a listen and get on board.
Rowena Wise
Rowena Wise creates beautifully crafted indie-folk music. A wonderful storyteller, and vocalist. If you a fan of Aldous Harding, Julia Jacklin and/or Laura Marling, then make sure you catch Rowena Wise.
Rum Jungle
The sweet indie-rockers Rum Jungle have just released their latest single, “Did The Morning Let You Down”, and are about to embark on a 14-date tour of the UK and Europe, including The Great Escape. Their London, Bristol and Manchester shows have already sold out. So, that gives you an idea as the popularity of the boys. They’ve already got two albums under their belt – 2018’s Sun & Smoke and last year they released Hold Me In The Water.
Tamara and the Queens
Naarm/Melbourne’s Tamara Reichman is the creative force behind Tamara & the Dreams. A consummate songwriter, with a voice that effortlessly carries her songs of hope, observation, heartbreak and redemption. We had her earmarked in our ‘20 artists to watch in 2020‘, and are thrilled that the word is getting out.
Teenage Dads
Teenage Dads were the 2023 Breakthrough Artist Of The Year ARIA award winners. The indie-rockers quartet, aren’t afraid to mix up their genres. From melodic indie pop to punchy high-energy riotous bangers. They will be up for a good time, and should be one of the highlights.
The Belair Lip Bombs
The Belair Lip Bombs hail from Frankston in Victoria, and last year released their beautiful debut album, Lush Life.
The band is comprised of Maisie Everett on guitars and vocals, Mike Bradvica on guitar, Jimmy Droughton on bass and Liam De Bruin on drums. The songs on their album tell stories that run a gamut of longing, seeking new horizons and discovering new paths to satisfaction and self-fulfillment. We think this year will be massive for them.
The Buoys
The Buoys are an all-female from Sydney, and have been a firm favourite at the AU for a few years now. Renowned for their sharp songwriter, fuzzy guitars and gorgeous vocals, they are always fabulous live.
It’s not just us who rate them – they’ve been on the support bill for Arctic Monkeys, Wet Leg, The Dandy Warhols, IDLES, Royal Blood and more.
The Southern River Band
Sporting impressive 80’s hair, The Streets Don’t Lie bring their nostalgic and vintage vibes to the stage with kick-arse new age riffed-out rock ‘n’ roll. Perfectly crafted songs, killer guitars and a loud and sweaty live show, these guys will get your hearts racing.
Header photo credit: Bruce Baker
