It’s true – you can never be bored by the sea, especially when it’s the Great Escape. After collecting our delegate passes from The Queen's hotel – which was swarming with various Indie types – we embedded ourselves amid fellow musos to plan the next three days.
‘If you’re looking for something to do, you could try the Music Quiz at the Komedia,’ the guy behind a table full of flyers said. ‘You could try to take on all those music journalists.’
Pfffft. We might be dusted in glitter and adorned in sparkling trinkets, but don’t underestimate the power of the Seatwave dream team, alright?
Although enjoying the abundance of males in skinny jeans and pointed shoes, clutching our timetable, we set off along the sea front to see The Boxer Rebellion at the Brighton Coalition.
I am, however, very lucky that I made it in one piece to the venue after having been attacked by a ferocious looking hound on the beach.
The Boxer Rebellion took to the stage at 8pm after City Riots kicked off the evening. Sometimes, when a band is on so early in the evening, you expect it to be a bit of a slow start. The Boxer Rebellion, however, had an excited swarm of fans there, who looked to be thoroughly enjoying the set.
After a two hour journey into work (what was it with London traffic this morning?) we are packed and ready to head to Brighton. The only place to be this weekend.
We've got video cameras, voice recorder, sturdy shoes, and a hangover with us (the River Rat Pack Tour at Gibson studios has a lot to answer for).
We still haven't decided which gigs to attend... there really is a hell of a lot to choose from. An argument between Zed and I is imminent. Don't even mention the secret street gigs (we've sworn not to). The Gibson Bus is amongst our stop off points... Sarah McLeod (ex Superjesus frontwoman) is also a must see. We damn near fell in love with Jay Jay Pistolet when he performed for us this week so he's on the cards too.
john and Jehn have just announced a secret (or not so now) gig at Above Audio at 2pm. Wahey!
Less typing and more action will get us there faster. We'll report back throughout the festival with band interviews, fan feedback and seminar reports. At this point, a nice big glass of water is probably a wise move. See you there!
There are so many bands to check out, and if like us, you are spoilt for choice, then take a look at our band guide (by venue) and see what takes your fancy.
VENUE: Above Audio
Thursday
Sammy Decoster
Sammy Decoster is a French musician with a raw and retro sound. Sometimes it is hard to pick apart one solo artist and his guitar from the rest of budding singer/songwriters, but Sammy Decoster has a unique, gravely edge. His music is jumpy and defiantly worth a foot tap or two, but it is also etched with a manic kind of darkness.
Miss Sills
Miss Sills has created an array of summary Poppy/Folk songs that are carved from various light-sounding instruments and heartbeat like drums, topped with the silvery vocals of Miss Sills.
Derek Meins
Derek Meins is a classic acoustic artist whose lyrics are undeniably a vital part of the music that he makes. Alongside the swelling guitars and the poetry threaded though Derek Meins’ songs, it encapsulates a strong air of insight. Derek Meins is more than just a musician, and if you listen carefully, he may just reveal some of the answers you have been looking for.
The music is always the highlight of The Great Escape but last year's delegate conference sessions proved very interesting (hangover and all). Industry big guns spilled the contents of their collective brains while the masses hoovered the information up like starved hounds.
We learnt stuff. Lots of stuff. We also made some priceless contacts... and even remembered to swap business cards. You don't get THAT in a pub - not since the Hawley Arms burnt down anyway.
This year's speakers include:
Lara Baker - AIM
Tom Baker - barry
Michael Bayler - Rights Marketing Company
Fredrico Bolza - Sony BMG
Brett Booth - MTV Sticky
Richard Buck
Tabitha Capaldi - BMI
Howard Marks
Steve Mayall - MusicAlly
Terry McBride - Nettwerk Music Group
Charlotte Moore - MTV Networks International
Annie Nightingale - BBC
Greg Parmley - IQ Magazine
Miranda Sawyer - The Observer
Julian Wall - BPI
Jon Webster - MMF
Steve Zapp - ITB
If last year was anything to go by, you'd better start your music marathon training now. There's nothing better than a weekend of gigs in Brighton... but when the line-up includes more gems than your ears know what to do with, it can turn into a cross-beachside-town-sprint to catch them all.
We can't tell you who's playing where just yet... but we can tell you who's in line to grace the multitude of stages. The bouncers might not be pretty, but the line-up so far sure is. From Ping Pong playing Aussies to blood-sucking vampires - wrap your bloodshot eyes around this lot:
It's that time of year again... music festival rumours are buzzing, the air isn't quite so nippy (okay, it's blowing its bullocks off out there but we live in hope) and The Great Escape is well and truly on its way.
We were there for last year's event... reporting from the sidelines, stoking brain cells into life during the conference sessions and eradicating them just as quickly at the after parties. We made friends with homeless bands, downed pints with roadies and danced in the moonlight under the big purple cow.
This year's event looks like it'll be a corker. We'll be there in force, video camera at the ready and microphones poised. No band member or civilian will escape our slightly cross-eyed gaze. We'll report on the dodgy hotels, best cafes, bands, punter reviews and dog grooming services. Keep your eyes and ears on this blog. Band interviews, previews and gossip to follow. Now where did we put that complete map of Brighton?
This had to be one of the best gigs I saw - for the unique, wind swept values alone! The band were great too... saw them later on at Ocean Rooms. Great stuff! Enjoy...
Sammy Decoster
