The Great Escape in Brighton has been a longstanding marker in any music lovers diary. From their educational programming to their new music showcases - The Great Escape for many marks the official start of festival season. While past years have been full of excitement and speculation about the best new acts in the game - this years iteration came tinged with a nervous caution.
With sponsorship from Barclays, many called for a boycott of this years festival due to the bank's funding investments in relation to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Walking through the centre of town, the local Barclays branch is splattered in red paint - a clear message from the people of Brighton which was strongly upheld by the acts booked to appear at this years festival - with around 1/3 of them choosing to drop out.
While there have always been some form of ‘alt-escape’ fringe events, this years were stronger and more plentiful than ever. From cafés to car parks and everywhere in between, this years alt escape offering brought the best of new bands and local acts as well as some fan favourites. Local band Hutch commented, "It's feels a bit more community based than usual, sometimes it's quite stuffy, but this year going to the alt stuff feels more fun."
With free alt showcases appearing all around the city, a jam packed programme was formed, giving us the age old festival dilemma of making a decision between clashing acts.
Choosing to kick off the fun down by the beach at Dalton's, we were treated to Manchester's finest 'trash-can country' band Honk. A polished band with a slide guitar and theremin wasn't what we expected to start the festival with - but just like that it seems like we've found the best new thing.
With the sun beaming down, we turned to Turtle Tempo's showcase for our pop fix - catching Coco & The Lost's last few uplifting tracks from the benches outside before being treated to an intimate set from our favourite pop anthem providers - Szou.
High energy antics weren't in short supply across the city as sets from the likes of Faux Real, Snayx and Joe and the Shitboys kicked life into proceedings. Tried and tested, their showstopping sets blessed both the official and alt showcases, giving their all to their audiences. From Faux Real's high kicks to Snayx raucous crowdsurfing, theres a special feeling in the air that can only come from seeing bands like these in such intimate venues.
While there's much fun to be had across the alt events, it's impossible to ignore the elephant in the room, with the boycott on the tips of tongues across the city. Speaking with bands and punters across the weekend we are reminded that that the issues are far from black and white. While some acts supported the boycott fully and wholeheartedly, others felt ‘bullied’ to join the boycott, disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to play at the festival, and ultimately to be paid for their work. After all - this is ‘The Festival for New Music’ - predominantly young new acts who are trying to make ends meet.
While many British and Irish acts dropped out of SXSW due to the sponsorship of the US Army, many of the same names did not choose to join the boycott for The Great Escape. Most notably, Irish act Kneecap, who have built their platform on strong political beliefs, and continue their outspoken support for the Palestinian people. While disappointed fans have branded them 'hypocrites', they commented in a recent interview with The Irish News “A lot of unfair pressure is being put on artists instead of focusing on getting the festivals to divest from these banks."
No matter your opinion, the boycott certainly got people talking. With this years festival now over us we are left with many questions. What other festivals may we see affected? At present, the Association of Independent Festivals has reported that 40 UK festivals have been cancelled this year - with 170 disappearing over the past five years. While new talent is as present as ever, it's undeniable that the opportunities are thinning around them. Moving forward we need to ask - who is funding the arts in this country, and how will they survive without it?
You can donate to Medical Aid for Palestine here
Tickets for The Great Escape 2025 are on sale now.
