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ABoF Staff Picks at The Great Escape!
Ah The Great Escape Festival, that time when the streets of Brighton are suddenly even busier than usual and its even more acceptable to roam the streets with a can in your hand. This year's prestigious event hosts another truck load of talent including the likes of Slaves, Kano, The Magic Gang and Superfood to name but a few. With the festival now imminent, we here at team ABoF have selected some of the artists we'd highly recommend checking out this year...Claire:
FUCK ART, LET’S DANCE!
They were on the ABoF roster a few years back and I’m still in love with this band. Catch them on Thursday, 18th May at Sticky Mike's Frog Bar at 2.30pm and at Latest Music Bar at 1.15pm.
Honey Lung
Honey Lung have kind of creeped up on me in the last 6-months and I’ve dug everything they’ve put out so far. These guys are great. Catch them at Bleach on Friday, 19th May at 8.30pm.
Noga Erez
I’ve got a major girl crush on Noga Erez - such a talented musician and producer! Catch Noga Erez at Komedia Studio, Friday 19th May at 10.30pm.
Paul:
Be Charlotte
One of Scotland's most exciting talents, Be Charlotte have been making waves all over the world with their innovative sound. A sound that incorporates pop, beatbox, hip-hop, indie pop and electro. Their live performances are electric and certainly one worth catching at TGE. Catch be Charlotte at at the Brighthelm Centre on Thursday 18th May at 3.30pm and at Komedia Studio on Saturday 20th May at 1.15pm.
Maria Kelly
Indie folk singer songwriter has such a poignant, ethereal sound. Her delivery has a purity and grace that effortlessly pulls you in. There is a fragility to her voice that allows Maria to create a well of emotion through every single lyric she delivers. Catch Maria Kelly at The Hope & Ruin on Thursday 18th May at 1.45pm.
Gurr
The garagepop vibes flowing from female duo Gurr is a must see at TGE. Lo-fi chiming guitars and vocal harmonies akin to 80's female pop heavyweights of the past blend together to create catchy melodic contemporary indie rock. Catch them on Thursday, 18th May at Sticky Mike's Frog Bar at 3.30pm and at Green Dorr Store at 9.15pm.
Ellie:
Aine Cahill
This girl's haunting voice is absolutely stunning. Already a huge hit in her home country Ireland, she is definitely one to watch for 2017.Catch Aine Cahill at One Church on Friday, 19th May at 10.30pm.
Tired Lion
I stumbled across this band completely by accident but I'm so glad I did. Hailing from Perth, Australia, these guys are full of energy, bolshy guitars and all around fun. Catch them on Thursday, 18th May at Komedia at 12.50pm, on Friday 19th May at Bleach at 10.30pm and again on Saturday, 20th May in Patterns at 12.50pm.
Fazerdaze
I've been following Amelia Murray aka Fazerdaze for a while now and am so glad to see that she's back in Brighton for The Great Escape. Bedroom dream-pop at its best. Catch them on Thursday, 18th May at Queen's Hotel at 1.30pm and again at The Arch at 11.30pm.
Halina:
The Van T’s
They are going to be huge. Their melodies, tenacity, musicianship in general and approach to what they do is notable. I look forward to see them in stadiums serving people their dinner. From Scotland and probably in the top 10 bands playing Great Escape this year. I am far from biased, this is a true story. Catch them at the Brighthelm Centre on Thursday 18th May at 2.30pm and again at Sticky Mike's Frog Bar at 7.30pm.
Sigrid
Everyone is talking about Sigrid. The Norwegian artist has the hooks. She is like a Robyn for the next generation. Norway is producing some of the best music in the world right now and she illustrates why. This is quality pop. Lyrically, this is also a strong two fingers up at everyone in your life you need to get rid of. It’s defiant and beautiful. Catch her on Thursday, 18th May at Coalition at 8pm and again at Wagner Hall at 4.30pm on Friday the 19th.
Eat Fast
My favourite band of 2016. They fill a really big gap in terms of harsh, relentless alt rock. Every single song they have released is a banger. From Newcastle and two of them used to be in the incredible Let’s Buy Happiness. I thank God they are doing well, as they are guitar music, they are new ambassadors for guitar music and they show guitar music is far from dead. Catch them live on Friday, 19th May at Horatio's at 8.15pm and again at 7.15pm on Saturday, 20th May.
Daniel:
L. A Salami
Lookman Adekunle Salami conveys poetic words and emotional messages through the beauty of folk and soul. I first heard of him in 2014 when he released ‘Nazi’s on the Northern Line’ and since then never questioned his ability to produce such beauty through creative story telling. Melancholic tones like his are what attract me to folk music and make me want to write in a similar vein. Catch him at the Fender Paramount Stage on Thursday, 18th May at 2pm and again at the Unitarian Church at 9.30pm.
Wild Front
There aren’t many British bands that give me the same ‘feels’ as Wild Front. They create emotional music that swings towards an american influenced sound - ambient and lo-fi whilst being boisterous and epic from song to song. Wild Front are obviously a band that has spent some time together musically and deserve all the attention they’re getting at the moment. I hope they continue to do what they do. Catch them at The Hope & Ruin on Thursday, 18th May at 3.15pm.
Marika Hackman
Ever since I first heard the eerie harmonies and rhythmic sounds of ‘Deep Green’ I’ve been hooked on Marika Hackman. I haven’t had a “pop crush” on anyone since the Avril Lavigne days (get over it I was 12/13), but this girl just oozes talent and a sense of coolness that only perspires from the greats. Her new single ‘Violet’ is one of her best yet as Marika tends to have a great ear for unusual harmonies that send shivers down your spine. I would love to see this girl live! Catch her at Paganini Ballroom on Thursday, 18th May at 8.15pm.
Mari:
Baby Queens
I recently saw the Cardiff collective of awesome women supporting The Orielles at The Social and was completely blown away! I just can’t get enough of their smooth soulful vocals, gorgeous grooves, utterly flawless harmonies and empowering vibes. Catch them on Friday at Latest Music Bar at 2.15pm or Jubilee Square at 7.30pm.
Pip Blom
Following the success of last year’s EP Are We There Yet?, Amsterdam-based artist Pip Blom has received acclaim from the likes of Huw Stephens on Radio 1 and a whole load of love and multiple airplays from BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley. I just love her jangly, lilting melodies and scuzzy vocals. She'll be playing on Friday at Komedia at 2.30pm and Brighthelm Centre at 8.30pm
Teen Canteen
I recently heard a live session with the Scottish band on Marc Riley's show on 6 Music, and it was love at first listen. Creating epically catchy, twinkling indie-pop anthems oozing the distinctive, sultry vocals of Carla Easton, they're definite ones to watch this year. They'll be live at Brighthelm Centre at 12.15pm on Friday and in Jubilee Square at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Check out our Spotify playlist below: