Surf’s Up! It’s Back to the Beloved Seaside of Brighton for The Great Escape Showcase Festival – and We Mean It When We Say: We. Are. Back.
⇥ PUBLISHED ON 10 May, 2022
It’s seaside season! But not just any seaside – we’re heading back to perhaps our favourite English coastal resort: the wonderful Brighton for, you guessed it, The Great Escape showcase festival! This year, while we will be returning with our own [PIAS] event on Friday, May 13th – and yes, the theme of that showcase is indeed FRIDAY, THE 13TH (*insert Dracula laugh*) – there is so much new, emerging, and frankly brilliant talent from many of our labels appearing across the overall The Great Escape festival line-up. And of course, we want to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. Below, we’ve got you covered – when you scroll down, you’ll find a complete overview of when and where you can enjoy sets from our artists over all three days alongside info on not only our showcase event, but those of Transgressive, Bella Union, and Heavenly Recordings. Seriously, this year – we. are. back.
Firstly though, we offer you an exclusive introduction to a selection of new [PIAS] artists who are playing this edition – and what better way to get to know them than asking them directly about, well, a bit of everything really – from how their best friends would describe their music to their dream support slot to – arguably the most important question – their go-to choice of late-night festival food.
What would be your dream festival to play?
My dream festival to play would be Glastonbury’s main stage, of course. Let me build it up for you...so I’m just about to get into the song title ‘home’ whilst it's pouring with rain and I’m teary, laying on the floor cause I’m exhausted thinking to myself how the heck did I end up here.
What’s your go-to choice of late-night (perhaps underrated) festival food?
My choice of late-night festival grub would be a giant hash brown filled with cheese. I’m not sure if it's been done but it needs some attention in my opinion. Could you imagine a bunch of people you don’t mind eating at it as well?!
Who/what would you regard as the three biggest influences on your music?
The biggest influences on my music I'd say would be the bass guitar, hands down I’m still learning but it's such a buff instrument and makes me drool when it's turned up, the second would be late-night car rides, with no real destinations in mind just lost in thought. And lastly the need to want to share these really persuasive ideas that end up in my head.
How would your best friends describe your music?
My best friends would probably describe our music as the results of putting indie, hip-hop, and alternative rock into a pan and having a go at it with an immersion blender, and then maybe topping it off with a sprinkle of pop. We’re also energetic to see live and will win you over with surprising beats, wobbly synths, and banging guitars.
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
All our recent singles have had a different vibe, but 'Chills' (released in October 2021) has a good blend that describes Banji well. I'd recommend watching the video for that one to get to know us better!
What has been your best festival memory? What was it that made it stand out?
Three years ago, the four of us went to Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands. That was about the time we just started out as a band. That whole weekend was super inspiring, we saw so many fantastic bands from all over the globe.
I think the highlight was Tame Impala's headline show. It was the last night and everyone was super exhausted.. During the Tame Impala show the tiredness suddenly disappeared and we experienced our highlight of the weekend. The songs, the band, the sound and the light show all worked so well together. That was super cool to see live. We’ll do everything we can to also play at Lowlands in the future!
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
I would say that 'Prim & Propa' sums me up musically the best out of all my released songs. However, my music video for 'James' probably gives people more of an insight into my personality.
What has been your best festival memory? What was it that made it stand out?
I played the last Glastonbury before the pandemmy and it will always be one of my favourite live memories. The year before I played Glasto and about 30 people turned up to my set so it was quite anticlimactic. But in 2019 the sun was just starting to set and people came rushing to my stage and it was just so beautiful. It was a real lesson for me to keep believing in myself.
What’s your dream support slot and why?
Florence + the Machine. I love her music so much. Her new song 'King' is so incredible. If anyone knows or is close to Florence Welch can you tell her that it would literally be a dream come true to support her. She is a living legend.
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
Our new single 'Tennis' is probably the most summative of what we’re currently
creating. I think it showcases a lot of separate elements that we like to include in our music.
Who/what would you regard as the three biggest influences on your music?
The internet, subject matters from books that we’re not clever enough to read, and the guitar as an instrument.
What’s your go-to choice of late-night (perhaps underrated) festival food?
I have a direct memory of eating pancakes at Reading festival for about 3 years
straight from one specific pancake van. Absolutely perfect.
How would your best friends describe your music?
I’m sitting in the van with my friend and guitarist Cahill and he says: "I’m not good at this…emotive, or real." (thanks Cahill)
What has been your best festival memory? What was it that made it stand out?
Bobby Gillespie handing me his maracas at the end of a Primal Scream set at Meredith Music Festival was pretty good…I’m going to play them on my next album…
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
I think that I would probably direct them towards ‘Storm Queen’ from an album I just released of the same name. I think it’s a song that I am quite proud of, means a great deal to me emotionally and the music ended up capturing that pretty perfectly, with a little help from my friends.
What has been your best festival memory? What was it that made it stand out?
Playing on the Walled Garden stage at Green Man in 2021 was really special. It was our first time playing outside London, where we had been playing to 100 people at most. Suddenly we were on a huge stage, facing the Brecon Beacons in the distance so we didn’t have to look at the 1500 people in front of us.
Who/what would you regard as the three biggest influences on your music?
Radiohead, Burt Bacharach, and the feeling of weightlessness after a huge poo.
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
Watch the video for our Christmas song, 'One Must Imagine Santa Claus Happy', on YouTube. It was the first thing we put online, it sounds nothing like us and is stupid to a profound level.
Who/what would you regard as the three biggest influences on your music?
Number one is maybe corny but true: our mates. Number two: Headie One and Fred Again's album GANG. Number three has gotta go to J Utah on YouTube who makes videos of him driving around loads of sick spots that are on repeat in the studio.
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
Probably 'Bicycles'! It's just so much fun to do live and I think captures where we're going with our upcoming releases also.
What’s your dream support slot and why?
If there are absolutely no limits then I've gotta say it's someone who's 10000% too cool for us to ever support them – Jon Hopkins...the reasons being that he's the greatest of all time.
How would your best friends describe your music?
Soooooo good!
What would be your dream festival to play?
Glastonbury, Coachella, Primavera Sound, Tomorrowland, Fuji Rock and Montreux Jazz Festival, Parklife.
What’s your dream support slot?
KENDRICK LAMAR.
What has been your best festival memory? What was it that made it stand out?
Playing Green Man Festival in 2021 was incredible. We’ve always loved that festival, it’s another world. Getting up on the Far Out stage on the Friday and doing our thing in front of that many people was both alien and natural at the same time. We can’t wait to do that again.
Are there other artists on The Great Escape line-up this year that you know and love? Who can you personally tip as a “must see artist” (beside yourselves of course!)?
You’ve got to catch Honeyglaze, their album just came out and it's banging. They’re also really lovely people.
What’s your go-to choice of late-night (perhaps underrated) festival food?
We love a halloumi wrap, to be honest. Or just some chips, can’t go wrong with chips, although when you go wrong you go REALLY wrong.
How would your best friends describe your music?
Getting better.
What has been your best festival memory? What was it that made it stand out?
When I was about 14 I saw Gil Scott-Heron close WOMAD festival. I didn’t really appreciate how much of a key figure he was until I listened to the stories he told us between each song. I remember being absolutely blown away. I was sat with a bunch of friends (old and new) as the sun was setting and we watched him get the entire crowd to sing the main riff of ‘Three Miles Down’, it nearly brought me to tears. He died the following year and as I got older it made me realise how lucky I was to experience that, even as a chubby little teen.
What would be your dream festival to play?
Fyre festival would have been unreal. Imagine playing a set as you watched all those yuppies and models fight over mattresses.
How would your best friends describe your music?
My best friend would probably describe my music as being sick energy, big vibes, catchy flows with a big dollop of Pussy Power.
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
To the people that haven’t heard me already I would direct you to listen to my latest single ‘VIBES’. This song encapsulates my state of mind right now, and will help you to understand me as an artist a little whilst making you feel good. Plus the production on this one is killer.
What would be your dream festival to play?
My dream festival to play is a Coachella, it always has been since I could remember. Just something about that place. Also, I’ve heard the accommodation is sick lol!
How would your best friends describe your music?
Listening to Portland feels like diving into a melancholic, colorful dream on a summer evening where you will dance, float, fly, discover, lie down and cry.
Who/what would you regard as the three biggest influences on your music?
The first one is the connection with your inner child. Playing music and singing is the most pure and natural way of existing. The second one is the beauty of reverb, combined with melancholic chord progressions that are quite easy, yet satisfying. And the third is our mutual love for pine trees, and the peace you’ll find in the countryside.
To people who have never heard your music before, which track/video of yours would you suggest they start off with and why?
'Pouring Rain', live at Rock Werchter. It was our childhood dream to play at that festival. Our dreams came true that day and we’re still thankful for that special moment every morning when we wake up. That concert made us realize why we are doing this.
How would your best friends describe your music?
Ethereal ravey fairy music to cry and dance to, at the same time or seperate.
Who/what would you regard as the three biggest influences on your music?
My heart and that butterfly feeling. The Underground. And that place I go when I am completely connected, when everything flows simultaneously.
What’s your go-to choice of late-night (perhaps underrated) festival food/beverage?
Cuppa' tea with 3 sugars.
Who/what would you regard as the three biggest influences on your music?
We're inspired by a mix of other artists and our own surroundings, the top three being Disclosure, Little Dragon, and – an odd one but when you notice it, you can't stop noticing it – water (watery sounds, imagery, words, feelings, all that good stuff).
What’s your go-to choice of late-night (perhaps underrated) festival food?
A haggis sandwich! Canny beat it!
What’s your dream support slot and why?
Has got to be Bonobo. Although there are a lot of artists we'd be thrilled to support, Bonobo would be an absolute dream, for many reasons – the lights, crowds, epic venues, opportunity to stand alongside such a cool artist…the list goes on.
It’s been 28 months since we’ve gotten to do what we love and do best in person – showcase new and exciting talent. So, we’re pretty excited – actually let’s be honest, stupendously and exuberantly excited, really – for our FRIDAY THE 13TH event. If you are heading to Brighton for The Great Escape, come find us at Casablanca Jazz Club from 12pm where we’ll be presenting Speedy Wunderground’s The Lounge Society and Moreish Idols, Play It Again Sam’s Connie Constance, Courting, and Rose Gray, Lower Third’s (Prolifica’s newly rebranded label imprint) Just Wondering, Don’t Sleep’s Bad With Phones, Heavenly Recordings’ OneDa alongside Portland and Strabe from our [PIAS] Recordings roster.
Kicking off things is Transgressive with their showcase at The Old Market Hove on Thursday, May 12th (doors: 4pm). You can expect performances from Let’s Eat Grandma, Michelle, Wesley Joseph, The WAEVE (Graham Coxon + Rose Elinor Dougall), and Mykki Blanco. On Thursday, you can also catch Shady Nasty ([PIAS] Australia) at Komedia Basement from 1:20pm-1:45pm as well as Grace Cummings (ATO Records) from 3:30pm-3:55pm – later in the evening, Cummings will also appear at Komedia Studio from 11:30pm-12am. Komedia Basement will host Katy J Pearson (Heavenly Recordings) from 8:15pm-8:45pm. At The Arch, Bad With Phones (Don’t Sleep) will perform from 8:30pm-9pm, while Honeyglaze (Speedy Wunderground) will play Paganini Ballroom (The Old Ship) from 10:30pm-11pm.
On Friday, Bella Union will showcase Sophie Jamieson, A.A. Williams, BC Camplight, and Warmduscher from 7:15pm at The Old Market, while on Saturday they’ll be on the beach presenting plantoid, Tallies, Laundromat, Laura Groves, and Penelope Isles from 6:30pm. Kay Young (Play It Again Sam) will play Patterns (downstairs) from 3:30pm-4pm, while Shady Nasty ([PIAS] Australia) will be upstairs from 6:30pm-7pm. You’ll have a second chance to catch Young on Friday when she plays The Arch from 7:15pm-7:45pm. Someone ([PIAS] Recordings Holland) plays Unitarian Church from 7:30pm-8pm; Honeyglaze play the TGE Beach Stage from 8:15pm-8:45pm while Let’s Eat Grandma (Transgressive) play the Amazon New Music Stage from 10:15pm-11pm. And to bring you into the early hours of Saturday morning, Working Men’s Club (Heavenly Recordings) will play Chalk from 1am-1:30am.
On Saturday, Heavenly Recordings will be at Horatio’s Bar on the pier from 12pm with Mattiel, The Parrots, Katy J Pearson, audiobooks, and OneDa. You’ll also have a second chance to catch Mattiel at Horatio’s from 10pm-10:30pm. Play It Again Sam’s Morgan Harper-Jones will perform at One Church from 12:30pm-1pm, and finally, Banji ([PIAS] Recordings Holland) will bring our Saturday to a close with a performance at Latest Music Bar from 10:15pm-10:45pm.
We hope to see you this week! Just remember the queues, bring sun cream, and hydrate. And if you’re not attending this year’s festival, but want to get a taste of the goings on, make sure to follow us on our Instagram.
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