Discover The Alternative Escape: Brighton’s Underground Music Festival

The Alternative Escape is Brighton’s leading underground music showcase and a key part of The Great Escape Festival. Featuring over 150 artists each year, it gives a stage to emerging talent, unsigned musicians, and independent promoters from across the city and beyond.

Unlike the main Great Escape programme, which is curated by festival organisers, The Alternative Escape empowers independent labels and promoters to host their own showcases. With full venue support, professional sound equipment, and a built-in festival audience, it’s the perfect platform for fresh talent to be discovered.

A Platform for Emerging Artists in Brighton

The Alternative Escape highlights Brighton’s reputation as a city of music. From intimate acoustic sets to high-energy late-night shows, the event spans a wide mix of genres and styles across carefully selected venues. Each space is chosen for its flexibility and atmosphere, creating the ideal environment for discovering new music.

Free Live Music in Brighton

Keeping The Alternative Escape free to attend is a deliberate choice. By removing ticket barriers, the festival makes sure that unsigned artists and grassroots talent take centre stage, not price tags. Fans can explore Brighton’s vibrant live music scene without spending a penny, while artists gain exposure to new audiences.

Why The Alternative Escape Exists

The Alternative Escape was born from the huge demand among promoters and labels to be part of The Great Escape Festival. With limited slots in the official line-up, the organisers created The Alternative Escape as an umbrella for additional showcases, giving even more opportunities for artists and promoters to join the festival experience.

Get Involved

Want to host a stage or showcase at The Alternative Escape? We welcome applications from independent labels, promoters, and collectives. For enquiries, please contact: jmathiszig@festivalrepublic.com

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