INFO

Taking over the city of Brighton every May, The Great Escape is the world’s leading new music festival for discovery, bringing together 450+ emerging artists from around the world across 30+ walkable venues, alongside a globally respected music industry conference.

At its core, The Great Escape is all about discovery. This is where you find your next favourite artist before anyone else. From buzzing basement gigs to packed-out headline moments, the festival is designed for exploration. Step into a venue, catch a set, then head next door and discover someone completely new. Some of the world’s biggest names have played here early in their careers, and every year the next wave begins in Brighton.

By day, The Great Escape Conference runs alongside the festival, welcoming thousands of music industry professionals from across the globe. Featuring keynote speakers, panels, networking opportunities and industry showcases, it’s where ideas are shared, connections are made, and the future of music is shaped.

2026 marks a major milestone as The Great Escape celebrates its 20th anniversary, two decades at the forefront of new music, championing emerging talent and setting the agenda for the global music industry.

Access to the festival is simple. A Great Escape wristband gives you entry to all official live music showcases across the city, so you can build your own schedule and experience as much music as possible. Entry to venues is subject to capacity, so we always recommend arriving early for must-see acts or embracing the spirit of discovery and finding your next obsession just around the corner.

Whether you’re a fan chasing new sounds, an artist breaking through, or part of the global music industry, The Great Escape is where the future of music comes to life

“As the UK’s most exciting and eclectic new music festival, The Great Escape is Brighton’s annual feast of discovery.” – NME

“If anyone had any doubts that The Great Escape is the most important UK music festival for new bands, new trends and making new friends then they most certainly got knocked out of the water this year. 10 years in, and TGE went harder than ever before.”
Crack

“Although similar to the new-music mecca SXSW in Texas, in many ways Britain’s equivalent event is better: more manageable, less brand-led and with just as many emerging talents, who play in tiny venues across Brighton.”
The Times

‘The festival sits in a space all of its own. Billing a very international line-up in a very British city, it can rival any of the international competitors and tops the pile in the UK for value and variety alone.’
Virtual Festivals

‘The Great Escape has established itself as the best place in Europe to discover new bands’
The Times

‘The Cannes of the music world’
Steve Lamacq, BBC Radio 6 Music

“As one the biggest music showcases here in Europe, The Great Escape in Brighton was a fantastic kick off to the UK festival season. Transforming the bustling seaside town into a mecca for music lovers and performing musicians alike … The Great Escape  has proved to be once again a monumental success.”
1883 Magazine

“Increasingly exciting, taste-making festival … [A] wild set in a tiny, sweltering club on Friday night is the kind of “Were you there?” moment that makes the Great Escape, well, Great”
Will Hodgkinson, Chief Pop & Rock Critic, The Times