The Great Escape is now in full swing in Brighton with 450+ bands playing across the city. But where to start when picking bands to see? We asked the team behind another great showcase festival, Edinburgh’s Wide Days, to talk us through all the Scottish bands playing TGE this year, which they’ve also compiled into a handy Spotify playlist. So here we go…
Alex Apolline - “hauntingly ethereal sound and lyrical depth, exploring heartbreak, childhood trauma and the complexities of identity”.
Alice Faye - “blending 70s pop, 60s folk and country with the theatrical influence of Édith Piaf and Jacques Brel”.
Archie - “energetic, pop-rock and jazz-influenced sound”.
Becky Sikasa - “blends neo-soul and alternative R&B into rich, introspective soundscapes”.
Blair Davie - “good things just need the right time <3”.
Brodie Barclay - “uses humour to lull audiences into a false sense of security before hitting them where it hurts with his mournful nostalgic lyricism”.
Cowboy Hunters - “a story of Farty Rock redemption”.
FAEDA - “captivating and relentlessly energetic stage presence”.
Fright Years - “emotive, cinematic indie rock that feels both intimate and immense”.
HAMISH - “a staggering vocal that evokes the likes of Paolo Nutini, Bon Iver and Joe Cocker”.
Helicon - “blends psychedelia, electronica, guitars and sitars with a spirit of counter-cultural experimentation”.
James Emmanuel - “warm, soulful performances have become a mainstay at The Jazz Bar”.
Kerr Mercer - “sold out two back-to-back headline UK tours (both before he had any music out)”.
KuleeAngee - “blends guitar-driven melodies with acid house influences”.
Lucia & The Best Boys - “emotionally direct, high-impact live performances” and “commanding presence and powerhouse voice”.
Megan Black - “combines the nostalgia of 70s blues rock with the modern sound of queer, feminist pop”.
Pat Hamilton - “lyrical intricacy and captivating melodies”.
Quiet Houses - “music that feels lived-in, tender and quietly powerful”.
Quiet Man - “stripped-back, emotionally charged sound, rooted in honesty and emotional depth”.
Sixth Wonder - “bold sound where 'djent pop' meets immersive storytelling”.
Shay O'Dowd - “songs that capture the beautiful complexities of life”.
Tanzana - “trip-hop influenced alternative rock”.
The Rooks - “high-octane, anthemic rock that balances the raw energy of British rock’s golden eras with a white-hot vibrancy that is entirely their own”.
Walt Disco - “a generation defining band who dare to do something unique”.
Find out more about Scotland at the Great Escape - including links and stage times for all the bands mentioned - on the Wide Days website
