The Maccabees, The Vaccines, Alabama Shakes: The Story Of The Great Escape 2015

Every year, the most exciting new acts from across the globe congregate on sunny Brighton on the English south coast for three days of showcases and secret gigs. Alright, so sunny Brighton wasn’t actually so sunny at this year’s Great Escape, but we still had an amazing time. Here’s a photo guide to the best bands and most memorable sets…

1
 

Alabama Shakes were one of the more established acts on the bill, bringing the eclectic candour of their new album ‘Sound and Colour’ to Brighton in a flash-bang of bluesy guitar hysteria and that voice, courtesy of spell-binding frontwoman Brittany Howard.

2
 

Things at the Black Honey show got a bit… smoochy. In fairness to the Brighton natives, their echoey 1960s garage tunes were more than deserving of the big hearty love-in that engulfed the city’s Green Door Store venue at their show.

3
 

Black Honey do like to be beside the seaside, tucking into ice cream cones a stone’s throw from Brighton pier.

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4
 

London DJ bros Formation getting down and dirty with onlookers during their show at the Haunt on Friday night.

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Sunflower Bean – cool motherfuckers. Expect to be hearing a lot of their loosely Tame Impala-ish 1980s pop crossovers in the coming months, ‘cos they kicked up a serious storm at TGE.

6
 

Aussie worshippers of the 1990s Madchester scene the DMA’s seem to have picked up a new band mate.

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Neo-punk twins The Garden whipped fans at their shows at the Haunt and Patterns into quite the frenzy. Their NME showcase appearance left a couple of people with a few bruises, we’re guessing.

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8
 

Chelmsford newcomer Jordan Cardy, aka Rat Boy, getting up close and personal with fans at The Haunt.

9
 

Rat Boy made so new friends, as well as new fans with his storming performance at the Haunt.

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Hip-hop agitators Ho99o9, snapped against a discerningly grey sky. Better get your brollies out, fellas.

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Ho99o9 in action. The gawping facts of their onlookers tells you all you need to know about their brutalisingly experimental sound.

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12
 

“Sing along if you know the words!” Former Late of the Pier man LA Priest offers his mic around as his tropical pop hits Brighton.

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We got cosy with the Magic Gang who, being Brightoners, had the home advantage.

14
 

Manchester’s Spring King and band share a laugh mid-song.

15
 

They’re back! The Maccabees were on stellar form during their Saturday night secret show at the Corn Exchange, giving fans glimpses into their upcoming fourth album, ‘Marks To Prove It’.

16
 

The Maccabees brought the noise. And confetti. But mainly the noise.

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Glasgow five-piece WHITE live up to their reputation for energetic, spacey wig-out Bowie-pop. So much so they needed a lie-down mid set.

18
 

Californian rockers Wand giving it some.

19
 

Wichita new man Oscar hanging out in some shrubbery near the Pavilion.

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