It’s nearly time for music’s future stars to decamp by the beach in Brighton once again and turn the seaside city into a mecca for great new sounds. The Great Escape takes place this weekend (May 17-19) and there’s an overwhelming amount of exciting talent for you to discover on this year’s line-up. Not sure who are the must-sees? Let us be your guide.
Bodega
Who: Brooklyn post-punks with their tongues in their cheeks and tunes that distill modern life and society’s reliance on technology into something sexy and danceable.
Best track: ‘Jack In Titanic’
Where: Green Door Store, 8:15pm, May 17 / The Haunt, 11:30pm, May 18
Cosmic Strip
Who: Dreamy psych-pop from London-based Camella Agabalyan and friends that both packs a punch and makes you swoon.
Best track: ‘Echo Chamber’
Where: Jubilee Square, 1pm, May 18
Denzel Himself
Who: One of the most inventive rising stars on the UK hip-hop scene, bringing together lyrical wordplay, punk spirit, and an unflinching honesty.
Best track: ‘Thrasher’
Where: Dr Martens Stage, 3:30pm, May 17 / Komedia Studio Bar, 9:15pm, May 17 / Beach House, 1:50pm, May 18
Lucia
Who: Glaswegian Lucia Fairfull makes timeless indie that sounds like it’s been put through a hazy filter and come out all the better for it.
Best track: ‘Melted Ice Cream’
Where: Horatios, 2:30pm, May 17 / Patterns, 7:15pm, May 17
Ms Banks
Who: Nicki Minaj-approved south Londoner who’s all about female empowerment and writer of some of the smartest lyrics in rap right now.
Best track: ‘Bangs’
Where: East Wing (Brighton Centre), 10:15pm, May 17
Rina Sawayama
Who: Slick digi-pop from a true modern pop star in waiting, and an incredibly enthralling live performer to boot.
Best track: ‘Ordinary Superstar’
Where: Coalition, 9:15pm, May 17 / Wagner Hall, 8pm, May 18
Sassy 009
Who: Three Norwegian friends mashing up house beats, sweet vocals, and, er, flute solos to make some of the most intriguing dance music around.
Best track: ‘Pretty Baby’
Where: Coalition, 10:15pm, May 17 / Komedia, 11:45pm, May 18
Snail Mail
Who: Baltimore teenager Lindsey Jordan – indie-rock’s next great hope who’s on the cusp of big things.
Best track: ‘Pristine’
Where: Beach Club, 6:30pm, May 17
Sorry
Who: London teenagers who manage to make grungy riffs sound like a fresh revelation via constantly twisting tracks and a refusal to let things get predictable.
Best track: ‘2 Down 2 Dance’
Where: Coalition, 6:15pm, May 17 / The Haunt, 12:30am, May 18
Whenyoung
Who: Sugary indie-pop trio from Limerick who’ve already been given the ultimate in Irish backing – an invite from The Pogues’ Shane McGowan to entertain him at his 60th birthday party. If they’re good enough for him…
Best track: ‘Actor’
Where: The Haunt, 6:30pm, May 17