The Great Escape festival launches a series of exclusive gigs

First Fifty over 3 days in November in East London

By Scott Williams | Published: Wed 21st Sep 2016

The Great Escape 2017 - around the festival site
Photo credit: Katy Blackwood

The Great Escape 2017

Thursday 18th to Saturday 20th May 2017
various venues, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 9NA, England MAP
£60 for a festival ticket
Daily capacity: 15,000

Brighton's The Great Escape festival, has announced a new series of gigs in the capital offering fans a chance to have a first glimpse of the acts that are also on the line-up to play at next year's festival.

The First Fifty will take place over 3 days in East London, from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th November  at venues including Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, The Old Blue Last, Kamio, Zigfrid von Underbelly and The Courtyard Theatre .

The line-up includes headline shows by James Hersey, The Age Of L.U.N.A, Hannah Georgas, Be Charlotte, Tigertown, Jameszoo, Pote, Drones Club, Indigo Husk, and L.A. Salami.

Also confirmed and appearing at Brighton next year are Cabbage, Shitkid, Gothic Tropic, Plaitum, Ider, Ray BLK, Miles From Kinshasa, Klangstof, Nilufer Yanya, Skott, Shells, Fil Bo River, Matt Maeson, MarthaGunn, Sarathy Korwar, Moses, St Phnx, Abattoir Blues, Hisky Loops, Eats Fast, Brain Deady, and Carys Selvey.

The First Fifty will be supported by a range of media partners: DIY, CLASH, London In Stereo, Amazing radio, Communion as well as BBC Music.

Mama Festivals CEO, Rory Bett said, "Over the last 11 years The Great Escape has been providing the soundtrack to our future with over 3,750 artists showcasing in Brighton and today’s announcement of the First Fifty previews the next wave of artists set to go down in TGE history. No other festival out there launches in this way with 10 live gigs and the best thing is that this is just the start, we’ve still got another 400+ bands to announce in the new year!"

BBC Music Editor, James Stirling added, "We’re delighted to be in partnership with The Great Escape and First Fifty. Helping to establish British artists on both a national and global stage is a primary objective for BBC Music, so working with one of the world’s premiere new music festivals on this unique new venture is a hugely exciting opportunity. Over 90 acts have signed to a major label after taking their first steps via BBC Introducing."

Tickets to all First Fifty shows are priced at £5 in advance, and £7.50 on-the-door.

buy First Fifty tickets now >

Early bird festival tickets tickets for the 12th annual The Great Escape in Brighton happening from Thursday 18th until Saturday 20th May 2017 are also now available priced at £55 for adults and £32 for young adults (aged 16-17 years). A 3-day Festival ticket gives you access to the core venues, subject to each venues capacity. As in previous years, a small number of the shows will take place at The Dome in Brighton. The line-up for these shows will be announced early next year. To ensure guaranteed access to Dome Shows, attendees will be able to top up their festival wristband for a small fee, or purchase separate gig tickets.

buy TGE tickets now >

As well as the live music, there's also a number of "Parkinson" style interviews with luminaries from the world of Music and Media, to show the way in which success is achieved, as well as educational panels, workshops and networking sessions. The UK's premiere music business convention, is a place for music industry professionals from across the world to exchange knowledge, ideas, contacts and business.

Early bird delegate passes are available priced at £165 (+booking fee). To buy delegates tickets now, click here.

The venues are all a close walk from each other with each venue equipped to an international showcase standard.




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