Today we're off to Brighton for chips, ice cream, and fresh sea air. Oh, and The Great Escape is on, so we might as well catch a few bands. We suppose.
If you haven't got a ticket, or you're just looking for some free bonus shows (and who doesn't love a freebie?), then worry no more - we've painstakingly scoured the program, and put together a list of a few of the best things TGE's little sister The Alternative Escape has to offer.
Dead Pretties
Thursday 6pm, Black Lion
Raucous London types Dead Pretties joined us on the Dork stage at Live at Leeds, so if you missed 'em then and rough 'rock'n'roll' vocals are your thing, now's your chance.
The Parrots
Thursday, 6:30pm, The Castle Street Gymnasium
Madrid punks The Parrots are always a good time. Kick off Thursday evening with their ramshackle live show and loose-limbed jams.
Phobophobes
Thursday, 8:15pm, Black Lion
In their song 'Tower of Song' Phobophobes' frontman bemoans the fact that he was "born with the gift of a golden voice". They've come out of the South London scene to take Brighton, so if sludgy riffs and baritone vocals are your thing they're ones for the hit list.
Sløtface Karaoke
Thursday, 11pm, Patterns
All right, so this one's not a traditional set, exactly. But do you like Sløtface? And do you also know most of the words to 'Teenage Dirtbag' by Wheatus or 'All Star' by Smash Mouth? Of course you do. Everybody does. So what better way to round off the first night of The Great Escape than by jumping onstage with your fave Norwegians and singing your little heart out?
Asylums
Friday, 1:35pm, Shipwright's Yard
Asylums put songs about austerity and inequality side by side with adolescent fantasies and 90s nostalgia. Their sets are an indie sugar rush to the head, so wear your finest Converse for this one.
Girl Ray
Friday, 2:15pm, Shipwright's Yard
Dreamy North Londoners Girl Ray have been putting out hazy pop bangers for the last year or so. They've also recently announced their debut album 'Earl Grey', so if you sneak off to their Alternative Escape set you might catch a preview of what's to come.
Noga Erez
Friday, 2:55pm, Shipwright's Yard
Israeli Noga Erez brings her bold, incendiary and politically charged tunes to Shipwright's Yard on Friday. Come for the socially aware lyrics, stay for the rattling percussion and buzzing synths.
Theme Park
Friday, 3:35pm, Shipwright's Yard.
Lovely, lovely Theme Park. They've got ridiculously fun, danceable tunes, and they want you to have a good time. Why not indulge them?
Rose Elinor Dougal
Friday, 5:35pm, Shipwright's Yard
Rose Elinor Dougal went away for over seven years, then returned with her indie synth record 'Stellular' back in January. Make sure you tell her we said "welcome back" when you drop in to check out her chiming electro melodies.
Matt Maltese
Friday, 10pm, The Mucky Duck
Tender troubadour Matt Maltese will be setting hearts a-flutter in the Mucky Duck on Friday night. Expect organs, guitars, and probably a fair bit of swooning (we know we will be).
The New Tusk
Friday, 11:40pm, The Pavilion Tavern
The New Tusk call themselves 'lo fidelity short attention span punk', and you really can't get more accurate than that. They're local lads - Friday's hometown heroes, if you will. You can't beat a sweaty mosh with a DIY band to close out your night.
Dream Wife
Saturday, time TBC, Dork x Echochamp at The Richmond
We love Dream Wife and their riot pop bangers. They formed at uni in Brighton, so this is kind of a hometown show – and we all know how those can get. Keep an eye out for the full Dork x Echochamp line up, coming soon.
itoldyouiwouldeatyou
Saturday, 11:50pm, The Pavilion Tavern
Melancholic indie-punk with some major riffs and massive choruses. itoldyouiwouldeatyou have your end-of-festival catharsis sorted.
