[Brighton] The Great Escape 2025 *** Official Festival Thread ***

[Cordwainer]

Any afternoon tips appreciated

Beddy reys and wayside at the beach.

 

[morematey]

Any afternoon tips appreciated

Dog Race at Horatios 15.15

 

[pocketseagull]

Goodbye at The Prince Albert 22:30

Saw them last night at The Pipeline, v good.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Dog Race at Horatios 15.15

Yes, they are on my list as it goes. Cheers

 

[CHAPPERS]

Beddy reys and wayside at the beach.

Cheers, noted

 

[Pogue Mahone]

We’re starting at Daltons for something a bit different: Town of Cats, Headmix, She’s Got Brass.

Then to the beach. Looking forward to Tjaka.

All about simple festival party music this afternoon.

 

[GJN1]

Yasmine Coe at the Green Door Store tonight at 8.15pm. Featuring my daughter on keys and BVs.

 

[morematey]

TGE was a good diversion from the football yesterday….

Dog Race by far the best thing I saw yesterday. Had a 5 min chat with the lead singer of Westside Cowboy after (they were in the audience for Dog Race). Lovely guy. Really appreciative of the reactions all week.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Very enjoyable festival this year. Came away with lots of new favourite bands, Dump Babes were awesome at the Albert last night. On the Beach Redd and Beddy Rays the outstanding highlights from a strong Aussie line up. A great four days

 

[Hamilton]

Agree. Fabulous pedigree this year. Saw 24 bands. Twenty three of them I really enjoyed. Some I absolutely loved.

Knocked it on the head at 8pm last night and went home for a cocoa.

Top 7 were…
Joshua Idehen
Moonlandingz
Knats
Chloe Qisha
Citizen Papes
Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie
Y

Then came an excellent second 7
Nectar Woode
The Bug Club
Declan O’Donovan
Town of Cats
The New Eves
The Klittens
Dump Babes

Followed by a creditable further 9
Laurie Wright
Laundromat Chicks
Nancy Williams
Miso Extra
Bog Band
Hotwax
Mellotron
The Orchestra (for now)*
Trapps

And in distant last…
Oh! Dirty Finger

*think I saw these guys in the wrong venue.

 

[El Presidente]

The Molotovs were superb

 

[kevo]

My scores on the doors. Good to meet @jackalbion and sorry didn't see you @CorgiRegisteredFriend !


WED
Alix Fernz 6.5
Holiday Ghosts 7.5
Traams 8.5
Graywave 6.5
Knives 7
Ellis-D 6.8

THU
Water Machine 8
Joe and the Shitboys 9 (probably)
Gardens 7
Real Farmer 8
Coach Party 8
Search Results 7.2
Opal Mag 7.8
Westside Cowboy 7.9
New Eves 8.5
Welly 9.5
Preoccupations 8
Tramhaus 9.2
Baby Beserk 6

FRI
Lawn Chair 6
Klittens 7.8
Sunday (1994) 6
Chameleon Lime Woopiepie 7.5
TTSSFU 8.2
Orchestra (For Now) 7.8
Pale Blue Eyes 8
Makeshift Art Bar 8
Ideal Living 7.2
Moonlandingz 7.8
Welly 9.3
Lawn Chair 6.4
Family Battenberg 6.8
TVOD 9

SAT
Eggy 5
Jock 8.2
Spacestation 7.5
Claudia Fenogilo 6.5
Jock 8
Thistle (I think) 7.5
Pale Common 6.5

 

[jackalbion]

TGE was a good diversion from the football yesterday….

Dog Race by far the best thing I saw yesterday. Had a 5 min chat with the lead singer of Westside Cowboy after (they were in the audience for Dog Race). Lovely guy. Really appreciative of the reactions all week.

Dograce were very good, saw that Westside Cowboy were watching.

 

[jackalbion]

After watching PUP on Friday night I returned to the fold on Saturday. This definitely seems to be a very strong year, a lot of shoegaze as well (which I’m pretty pleased with).

First thing I saw on Saturday was Ugly who were pretty chill, they were absolutely fine, I enjoyed the songs but I desired something with more bite first. So I went to Dust to see MOULD again after seeing them Thursday. Once again they were fantastic, loud energetic, just what I need to get out of the hangover. Also first time I’ve been in dust, a great little venue to be fair, very loud, did it used to the the infamous Lola Lo’s? I went down to Horatios next to see Hank who were great probably my highlight of the day, proper shoegaze wall of noise stuff at times. Next up was Dograce in the same venue, great tracks, especially The Leader. Then took a trip to revenge to see Wing! mainly to try and avoid the football, but it was a decent little trip hop act, quite sharp production. Space Station were next who were described in the guide as being like Sonic Youth/My Bloody Valentine which of course they were nothing like but did sound a bit like Pavement, and thought they were decent enough. Went into Daltons next another venue I’ve never been in, but it was a decent little venue. Saw Jodie Langford down there who was good, witty northern female rap I guess, was a good laugh trying to avoid the result. Then @El Presidente revealed to me the bad news and I kicked a wall a few times. However I went and saw Airport Dad at the Waterbear Venue a venue I last went in when I was about 18 and almost got hit with a firework outside. They really cheered me up, I thought they were a great band, once again a bit shoegazey but that’s what a I like. I walked up to Horatios to try get into She’s in Parties but it was full so I diverted to the downstairs of Patterns to watch Flip Top Head a local band who I thought were really good, almost Black Country New Road esque, good arrangement of instruments. Then went down to Cassablanca’s (now called Three Wise Cats) to see Jock a semi local band, who were another highlight of the day, really loud post punky tunes. Then went up to the Albert to see hotly tipped local band Ladylike who were again really good (and I think the lead singer used to work in the Albert?) nice way to see off the festival, before finally stretching my tickets true value for money by seeing Pastel in the Hope & Ruin who supported Liam Gallagher at Knebworth a few years back and you can see why. A bit too Oasis adjacent for me but you can see the appeal.

Like I said at the top again a really strong year this year and I didn’t see that much crap either, I don’t think there was any act I didn’t like. I reckon quite a lot will go far.

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

My scores on the doors. Good to meet @jackalbion and sorry didn't see you @CorgiRegisteredFriend !


WED
Alix Fernz 6.5
Holiday Ghosts 7.5
Traams 8.5
Graywave 6.5
Knives 7
Ellis-D 6.8

THU
Water Machine 8
Joe and the Shitboys 9 (probably)
Gardens 7
Real Farmer 8
Coach Party 8
Search Results 7.2
Opal Mag 7.8
Westside Cowboy 7.9
New Eves 8.5
Welly 9.5
Preoccupations 8
Tramhaus 9.2
Baby Beserk 6

FRI
Lawn Chair 6
Klittens 7.8
Sunday (1994) 6
Chameleon Lime Woopiepie 7.5
TTSSFU 8.2
Orchestra (For Now) 7.8
Pale Blue Eyes 8
Makeshift Art Bar 8
Ideal Living 7.2
Moonlandingz 7.8
Welly 9.3
Lawn Chair 6.4
Family Battenberg 6.8
TVOD 9

SAT
Eggy 5
Jock 8.2
Spacestation 7.5
Claudia Fenogilo 6.5
Jock 8
Thistle (I think) 7.5
Pale Common 6.5

I did think it was strange not bumping into you at some point but can see from your list I was mainly elsewhere. I did in fact walk past you along by the Steine but you were chatting in a group, The Enemy were 1-0 up at this point and I was rushing into Revenge to watch Rabbit Foot. An interesting band that made youngsters look old, probably straight out of school. They were, in their own words, playing the fun stuff having already performed elsewhere. Not sure how you would describe them and if I tried it would be wrong. Stayed in Revenge to watch Punk outfit Sulk which was well worth the wait. Lots of other bands I enjoyed included Dog Race and Hank on the pier. In fact I spent most of the time there over the three days. Highlight was Mandrake Handshake who, as often is the case with these short sets, really got things going in the last ten minutes and then had to finish. Western Cowboy were brilliant but in The Deep End and the stage just felt too big for them. I seem to remember there used to be a bar inside but obviously not anymore. Welly were great and very funny. Reminded me of several bands from the late 70s especially The Freshies. New Eves were ok but they need to drop the GCSE dance routine at the start. Hot Wax ok too but won’t choose to watch them again. Had a brief chat with @jackalbion in Horatios. Poor guy is some kind of local celebrity, and agreed with him there was very little shit this year. There was only one band I didn’t get on with who will remain nameless. They were in the style of early Artic Monkeys which is not a bad thing but they just didn’t have the tunes and during their final song encouraged a bit of phone torch waving. At which point I was out of there. All in all a Great, Great Escape and a top thread too.
And if you are unfamiliar with The Freshies. Have this

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I probably say this every year, but that really felt like the best Great Escape ever. Beautiful sunshine, seeing so many friends, some brilliant bands.

Highlights of day 4 were:
Town of Cats at Daltons, a hugely uplifting nine-piece band, all accomplished musicians kicking out funky beats and jazzy horns. From Brighton - see them if you can.
Tjaka at The Jetty on the beach. Indigenous Aussies, funk, rap and didgeridoos (or didgeribones- adapted to play like a trombone). The whole crowd was jumping, and they had a big crowd watching.
Y at Patterns - not sure how to describe them, but a wonderful and chaotic wall of sound.
KuleeAngee at Horatios - nice, laid back dance beats with some lovely drops.
Also enjoyed She’s Got Brass, She’s in Parties, Sly Withers.

I’m feeling quite sad that it’s all over.

 

[kevo]

I did think it was strange not bumping into you at some point but can see from your list I was mainly elsewhere. I did in fact walk past you along by the Steine but you were chatting in a group, The Enemy were 1-0 up at this point and I was rushing into Revenge to watch Rabbit Foot. An interesting band that made youngsters look old, probably straight out of school. They were, in their own words, playing the fun stuff having already performed elsewhere. Not sure how you would describe them and if I tried it would be wrong. Stayed in Revenge to watch Punk outfit Sulk which was well worth the wait. Lots of other bands I enjoyed included Dog Race and Hank on the pier. In fact I spent most of the time there over the three days. Highlight was Mandrake Handshake who, as often is the case with these short sets, really got things going in the last ten minutes and then had to finish. Western Cowboy were brilliant but in The Deep End and the stage just felt too big for them. I seem to remember there used to be a bar inside but obviously not anymore. Welly were great and very funny. Reminded me of several bands from the late 70s especially The Freshies. New Eves were ok but they need to drop the GCSE dance routine at the start. Hot Wax ok too but won’t choose to watch them again. Had a brief chat with @jackalbion in Horatios. Poor guy is some kind of local celebrity, and agreed with him there was very little shit this year. There was only one band I didn’t get on with who will remain nameless. They were in the style of early Artic Monkeys which is not a bad thing but they just didn’t have the tunes and during their final song encouraged a bit of phone torch waving. At which point I was out of there. All in all a Great, Great Escape and a top thread too.
And if you are unfamiliar with The Freshies. Have this

Annoyed to have missed Dog Race on pier. I was actually on my way there when I realised I didn't have my phone. Cue absolute panic and retracing steps back to hotel where I had (of course) left it! It was too late to get to the gig in time by then.

 

[Hamilton]

My scores on the doors. Good to meet @jackalbion and sorry didn't see you @CorgiRegisteredFriend !


WED
Alix Fernz 6.5
Holiday Ghosts 7.5
Traams 8.5
Graywave 6.5
Knives 7
Ellis-D 6.8

THU
Water Machine 8
Joe and the Shitboys 9 (probably)
Gardens 7
Real Farmer 8
Coach Party 8
Search Results 7.2
Opal Mag 7.8
Westside Cowboy 7.9
New Eves 8.5
Welly 9.5
Preoccupations 8
Tramhaus 9.2
Baby Beserk 6

FRI
Lawn Chair 6
Klittens 7.8
Sunday (1994) 6
Chameleon Lime Woopiepie 7.5
TTSSFU 8.2
Orchestra (For Now) 7.8
Pale Blue Eyes 8
Makeshift Art Bar 8
Ideal Living 7.2
Moonlandingz 7.8
Welly 9.3
Lawn Chair 6.4
Family Battenberg 6.8
TVOD 9

SAT
Eggy 5
Jock 8.2
Spacestation 7.5
Claudia Fenogilo 6.5
Jock 8
Thistle (I think) 7.5
Pale Common 6.5

Wow! You put in a shift!

 

[kevo]

After watching PUP on Friday night I returned to the fold on Saturday. This definitely seems to be a very strong year, a lot of shoegaze as well (which I’m pretty pleased with).

First thing I saw on Saturday was Ugly who were pretty chill, they were absolutely fine, I enjoyed the songs but I desired something with more bite first. So I went to Dust to see MOULD again after seeing them Thursday. Once again they were fantastic, loud energetic, just what I need to get out of the hangover. Also first time I’ve been in dust, a great little venue to be fair, very loud, did it used to the the infamous Lola Lo’s? I went down to Horatios next to see Hank who were great probably my highlight of the day, proper shoegaze wall of noise stuff at times. Next up was Dograce in the same venue, great tracks, especially The Leader. Then took a trip to revenge to see Wing! mainly to try and avoid the football, but it was a decent little trip hop act, quite sharp production. Space Station were next who were described in the guide as being like Sonic Youth/My Bloody Valentine which of course they were nothing like but did sound a bit like Pavement, and thought they were decent enough. Went into Daltons next another venue I’ve never been in, but it was a decent little venue. Saw Jodie Langford down there who was good, witty northern female rap I guess, was a good laugh trying to avoid the result. Then @El Presidente revealed to me the bad news and I kicked a wall a few times. However I went and saw Airport Dad at the Waterbear Venue a venue I last went in when I was about 18 and almost got hit with a firework outside. They really cheered me up, I thought they were a great band, once again a bit shoegazey but that’s what a I like. I walked up to Horatios to try get into She’s in Parties but it was full so I diverted to the downstairs of Patterns to watch Flip Top Head a local band who I thought were really good, almost Black Country New Road esque, good arrangement of instruments. Then went down to Cassablanca’s (now called Three Wise Cats) to see Jock a semi local band, who were another highlight of the day, really loud post punky tunes. Then went up to the Albert to see hotly tipped local band Ladylike who were again really good (and I think the lead singer used to work in the Albert?) nice way to see off the festival, before finally stretching my tickets true value for money by seeing Pastel in the Hope & Ruin who supported Liam Gallagher at Knebworth a few years back and you can see why. A bit too Oasis adjacent for me but you can see the appeal.

Like I said at the top again a really strong year this year and I didn’t see that much crap either, I don’t think there was any act I didn’t like. I reckon quite a lot will go far.

I've seen Flip Top Head a few times now, very good. Shame I couldn't catch them at GE.

 

[kevo]

Wow! You put in a shift!

You can see the number of bands went down significantly on Saturday. There's a reason for that!