This year for The Great Escape we’re taking over the basement at Patterns on Thursday 18th May with this brilliant line-up. We hope to see you there!
DOUGLAS DARE 5.30 – 6PM
London-based singer-songwriter Douglas Dare’s sound is a wonderfully unique, bittersweet blend glimmering with hints and notes of his impressive selection of inspirations. From the likes of Portishead to Elliot Smith to James Blake, Douglas combines rich, haunting vocals with lyrics beautifully crafted from his own poetry and prose. Growing up with a mother who taught piano, he was inspired to compose music from a very young age. Combining acoustic instrumentation with glitchy electronics, his music is strikingly moody, distinctive and raw.
MOSA WILD 6.30 – 7PM
Mosa Wild’s roots lie in a project started when multi- instrumentalist Jim Rubaduka and guitarist Alex Stevens were still at school. Looking for fresh focus and direction, they found themselves a bassist and a drummer and went on to form the band they are today. Brimming with soul and emotion, these guys are comparable to The National or even a more gentle little brother of The Maccabees. Tender and heavy-hearted, Mosa Wild combine a hazy warmth through atmospheric keys and guitars to make for unforgettable songwriting prowess.
CROOX 7.30 – 8PM
April 2017 saw the release of Brighton’s very own electro-R&B collective’s newest single, Loyal, following last year’s sell-out tour alongside Jeremy Loops. Now, in preparation for their headline show at London’s famous Old Blue Last on May 25th they’re bringing their gorgeously minimalist blend back to The Great Escape. And we couldn’t be more excited. Experimenting with ambitious textures and soulful songwriting, CROOX compose fresh and sincere tracks channeling the likes of SBTRKT, Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. Addictively sultry and atmospheric, this four-piece have managed to craft a sound like no other.
YONAKA 8.30 – 9pm
A fresh label deal signals big things for this local four- piece, and it’ll be entirely justi able. Their thundering brand of garage rock ticks all the right boxes. They’re dynamic, exciting and can write effortlessly catchy tunes by the bucket-load. The subject matter can be dark, the energy intense and the riffs, well, massive. As a live prospect, they’re one of the most intriguing and lively bands Brighton has thrown up in years. Plus, they’ve just come off tour with Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. Don’t expect there to be much room down the front!
IDER 9.30 – 10.15pm
Forcibly pushing their way on to a number of ‘Ones To Watch’ lists this year, this duo are absolutely living up to everyone’s expectations. Their recent EP Gut Me Like An Animal stands as a statement of intent, crammed with huge synths and rich vocals. It’s a delicious mix of pop sensibilities, lush R&B, and contrasting sonics. They’re getting support from Radio 1’s new music strand, and there’s some further festival dates promised. So, it could be a beautiful summer for these two and their delicious harmonies.