Babyshambles rock out beside the seaside

The Saturday begins in much the same way as the day before. Starting off in the Hope for the Artrocker afternoon sessions, The Chapman Family get the ball rolling with a self-destructive performance. Putting everything into the show, lead singer Kingsley Chapman finishes the final song 'Million Dollers' by throttling himself with the mic chord. The dark performance didn't suit being in the afternoon and seeing bright light when coming out of a venue is always a bit of a shock.

With the scoop of the festival, Levi's manage to get a (not so) secret show from Babyshambles on their balcony bar. Delays by a brief shower, get the bar packed, and the next door bar and the street. The Peter Doherty fans are out in force. Looking like he'd been out on an all-night bender from the day before, Pete sang and played his way through the short set with a laid back style. A brief singalong with "...Oh I do like to be beside the seaside..." has the crowd cheering and singing along before finishing with 'Killamangiro' and 'Fuck Forever' leaving the massed hordes wanting more.

Feeling lazy it made sense to head downstairs for the evening gigs and get in early. Rogues put on an entertaining show with their 80's indie/electropop songs. The stunningly produced songs are fresh and glossy staying upbeat throughout. Fight Like Apes follow them and although taking their influence from the same decade, they produce a completely different sound. Scruffier and grittier its more jaded than retrospective in spirit. The crowd don't respond so well and the band seem to lose enthusiasm without the energy from their usual fans. The Soft Pack pick up the mainstream indie from where Rogues finished. The music is good but not quite the sound I was hoping for. Looking for a better show to finish the festival, its off on the walk to Concord 2 for the headliner for the night.

Juliette Lewis' new band, Juliette and the New Romantics look set to put on a great show. Working the crowd with ease, strutting around the stage wearing a red dress provocatively riding up around her hips, black underwear over red tights and a feathery cape thing! They play a mix of garage rock, a bit of punk and some dirty blues. The song 'Hard Lovin' Woman' shows just how well she can sing. Not just the usual 'actress turned musician' but a good one at that.

Its amazing to know that you could go to the Great Escape festival a few times over and never see the same performance twice. The number of venues is a little mind blowing and trying to decide on who to go and see is a nightmare but useful to make sure you're in a venue before the headline band start otherwise there isn't much chance of getting in. With a good mix of new bands with plenty of styles and tastes and a few more veteran acts its hard to be disappointed not getting in somewhere as you're sure to find another gig which might just blow you away. Plus, the map (and clash guides) in the festival booklet is your best friend if you are new to Brighton!

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