The Great Escape 2022: Your must-see shows and panels

If you’re finding the sheer volume of artists and conferences at this year’s Great Escape daunting, then worry not. We have picked out some of our must-see’s and must-dos to make the most out of your weekend in Brighton.

Alfie Templeman

The world has seen Alfie grow up over the last few years, blossoming from a bedroom pop artist into someone capable of conquering the whole indie pop scene. Expect bangers with a quirky edge from an artist who can straddle several genres all at once.

Friday, 11:20pm @ Komedia Basement

Arrdee

Playing one of the Spotlight Shows along the beach at Concorde 2 (pack those walking shoes), Brighton local Arrdee's show will be a big moment both for him and the festival. Already with a smash hit album under his belt, this show will be a celebration for sure.

Saturday, 9:30pm @ Concorde 2 (Spotlight Show)

Baby Queen

After smashing her UK headline tour and having a track explode on a hit Netflix show, all the stars are aligning for Bella Queen right now. A steady stream of hot singles are all pointing to this being an triumphant moment for the London-based artist. 

Thursday, 9:15pm @ Amazon New Music Stage
Friday, 9:00pm @ Revenge
Saturday, 9:15pm @ The Arch

Bob Vylan

The 100 percent independent DIY duo Bob Vylan (comprised of Bobby and Bobbie Vylan) getting involved in a battle for a Top Ten album was not something many had on their 2022 music predictions, but the world should have learnt by now not to write these guys off. This will be messy, vibrant, visceral and sensational.

Friday, 8:15pm @ Coalition

English Teacher

A Leeds band that have been quietly building an impressive catalogue, and are at the forefront of the next wave of indie talent. There is an air of unstoppable momentum behind this band at the moment, so expect a big noise from them at TGE.

Thursday, 8:15pm @ Latest Music Bar
Saturday, 3:30pm @ Komedia Studio

ENNY

Another artist playing a prestigious Spotlight show, much of the early-TGE hype has surrounded rapper and singer ENNY. Ask any other act who they’re most hoping to catch live, and it’s this one this is a real chance to find out just why.

Friday, 9:15pm @ Brighton Dome (Spotlight Show)

Let’s Eat Grandma

This duo’s third album is a beautiful record that is wrapped in themes of grief but one that is also unlikely to be surpassed as one of the finest pop records of this, or any other, year. The Norwich band continue to reach new heights of music perfection.

Lime Garden

Another of the seemingly never-ending run of young talent to emerge from the city, Lime Garden are Brighton’s secret no longer. A string of classic indie bops have lit the touch paper on their rapid upwards journey.

Friday, 10:15pm @ TGE Beach Stage

Lynks

Let’s face it, a huge amount of the fun surrounding The Great Escape is the parties. And there aren’t many finer artists for having that party to than Lynks. Euphoric tunes wrapped up neatly with ecstatic dance moves, the late night show will go down in history for sure.

Friday, 12:40pm @ TGE Beach Stage
Saturday, 2:15am (Friday night) @ Chalk

NOAHFINNCE

Described as 'a voice for a generation who are fed up of being told how to be,' Noah Adams is the perfect artist for right now. Huge on Instagram, and even bigger on YouTube, Noah is no slouch on stage either as he brings his no-B.S take on LGBTQ+ issues into the limelight with him.

Friday, 7:00pm @ Revenge

Phoebe Green

Recent shows have seen a serious upgrade in sound and banger-rate for someone who was already making great moves. There’s a real sense of 2022 being the breakthrough year for Phoebe Green, so we recommend you take the chance to check out why.

Saturday, 8:15pm @ Coalition

Piri And Tommy

If you want a real TikTok success story, then look no further than Manchester drum’n’bass duo Piri and Tommy. Charli XCX and PinkPantheress are already on board as fans, and with the stash of bangers they’ve got up their sleeves then that list is only going to grow.

Friday, 11:30pm @ The Arch
Saturday, 7:45pm @ Concorde 2 (Spotlight Show)

Priestgate

One of the most exciting young bands around, Driffield’s Priestgate combine a theatrical and explosive live show with some of the finest bangers around. A real revelation on the stage, they may be part of one of the worst line-up timing clashes in years — but will reward any who choose their brand of guitar pop.

Thursday, 11:15pm @ Green Door Store

Prima Queen

Fresh from touring with Sunflower Bean and Wet Leg, Prima Queen are an indie pop band that exist in the sweet spot between Phoebe Bridgers and Alvvays. A bright and breezy stage show, this is the perfect excuse to wander along to the end of the pier on a Friday night.

Rachel Chinouriri

Expect beautiful alternative pop from the Croydon singer-songwriter, a talent that will surely bounce onto bigger things this year — including a slot on the bill at Sam Fender’s Finsbury Park summer show.

Friday, 6:15pm @ Amazon New Music Stage

Sipho

The most exciting part of a Great Escape is that chance to see someone amazing in the flesh that has so far proved elusive on the live circuit. That’s Sipho this year, bringing his unique blend of gospel, electronica and R&B into one thrilling mix.

Friday, 9:30pm @ Brighthelm Centre

Tems

There is an electrifying noise of hype and excitement around Nigerian-born Tems right now, and this Spotlight show will likely prove why the artist and producer is top of everybody’s must-see list in Brighton this year.

Friday 10:15pm, Brighton Dome (Spotlight Show)

Vlure

Anybody who has seen a Vlure show before will know just what a treat first-timers are in for. Breaking down the barriers between crowd and audience, this will be an relative and euphoric live experience with huge beats and searing guitars.

Thursday, 11:20pm @ Horatio’s

Willow Kayne

Winner of last year’s Ivor Novello Rising Star Award, Willow Kayne will be bringing her brand of excitable alternative pop to Brighton and it promises to be unmissable. Queue up early for this one.

Friday, 6:15pm @ Coalition

Yard Act

A band that need little introduction, Yard Act have been (alongside Wet Leg) the biggest breakthrough artists of 2022 so far. Expect a healthy dose of sarcasm and irony alongside their inimitable style of guitar indie. Sparks will fly.

Thursday, 11:15pm @ Komedia Basement
Friday, 10:15pm @ Chalk

Conferences

PRS: OnTrack

In Conversation with PRS Foundation International Showcase Fund and PPL Momentum Music Fund supported Yard Act and Steve Lamacq.

Friday, 13 May, Habour Hotel @ 12:00 - 13:00

Staying Local

Building your Music Career in your Hometown – featuring PPL Momentum Accelerator supported Chiedu Oraka (Yorkshire-based artist) and Abby Meysenburg (Liverpool-based industry professional).

Friday, 13 May, Harbour Hotel @ 13:45 - 14:45

Navigating The Music-Maker Community

A session exploring and dissecting the music-maker community, and what music education and the industry can learn from that process - as well as identifying what better support can be given to the wider music-maker community

Wednesday, 11 May @ 10am - 11am

The Artist Circle

A two part session led my music industry experts who will be creating a ten-tip guide to building a career in the music world — as well as looking into the worlds of release campaigns and funding campaigns.

Wednesday, 11 May @ 11:15am - 3:00pm

Rights + Track Data : Challenges + Solutions

Looking into the data challenges ( and offering solutions) to what negatively impacts how music is discovered, exploring the issues that affect the accuracy and efficiency of royalty payments.

Thursday 12 May, 10:00am - 11:15am

NFTs, Blockchains, The Metaverse + Web3

For anyone who finds those topics daunting, this no-messing guide to Web3 will highlight how the technology will offer future opportunities for artists and the wider music community.

Thursday, 12 May @ 3:15pm - 4:15pm

Music Copyright Explained

Part of a series of rapid-fire DIY guides, this explores everything that music makers need to do in order to protect their rights. It’s well worth sticking around for the rest of the sessions too for a whirlwind ride through the music industry’s big questions.

Saturday, 14 May @ 11:00am - 11:25am