THE GREAT ESCAPE 2023: VOCAL GIRLS’ MUST SEE ARTISTS
The Great Escape is back and, as usual, the festival is bringing a wide variety of the best new music to the fore. 2023 is no exception, so here at VOCAL GIRLS we’ve selected 15 must-see artists to catch at this year’s festival, four of whom will be gracing our very own stage…
Alien Chicks
When: Saturday 13th May, 15:30
Where: Zahara, VOCAL GIRLS stage
If you’re a fan of Black Midi or Squid, then you’re likely to be into Alien Chicks. The Brixton band’s sound is a melting pot of genres, including jazz, rap, post-punk and math rock. The result? Live shows which have a cult reputation for being sweaty, energetic, and a lot of fun. Ife Lawrence
Arlo Parks
Image credit: Alexandra Waespi
When: Saturday 13th May, 21:45-22:45
Where: Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Headlining one of this year’s three Great Escape Spotlight Shows, Arlo Parks will be bringing her widely adored indie-pop to one of Brighton’s most recognisable landmarks. Expect fan favourites such as ‘Hurt’ and ‘Eugene’ from 2021’s Mercury-winning Collapsed in Sunbeams, as well as new cuts from her imminent - and highly anticipated - second album. Daisy Carter
Aziya
Image credit: Sequoia Ziff
When: Friday 12th May, 22:15
Where: Komedia Studio
Self-described as songs which she ‘would want Debbie Harry to sing, Prince to co-produce, and John Bonham to drum on’, Aziya’s music sits cooly at the intersection between the rawness of indie and the slick production of pop. If this year’s iridescent single ‘atomic’ is anything to go by, she’s leaning into this hybrid identity with a confidence that’s more than a little infectious. DC
Delilah Holliday
When: Saturday 13th May, 12:00
Where: Horatios
Few people can say they formed a punk band (Skinny Girl Diet) and supported Viv Albertine as a teenager, but that was just the beginning for Delilah Holliday. Having put out a collaborative album with Baxter Dury and Étienne de Crécy in 2018, she’s since been focused on honing on her evocative, more beat-driven solo sound. DC
English Teacher
Image credit: Tatiana-Ponzuelo
When: Thursday 11th May, 22:15; Friday 12th May, 15:30; Friday 12th May, 19:15
Where: Horatio's; Fabrica; The Old Market
Leeds quartet English Teacher are widely tipped to be one of this year's biggest breakout stars. They’ve recently celebrated the one year anniversary of their debut EP, Polyawkward, and have already played festival stages from Green Man to Glastonbury. Consider TGE an increasingly rare opportunity to catch them at an intimate venue. IL
Gena Rose Bruce
Photo credit: Maximum Person
When: Thursday 11th May, 14:50; Friday 12th May, 21:30; Saturday 13th May, 12:55
Where: Komedia Studio; Fabrica; The MVT Stage
Gena Rose Bruce is a Melbourne singer-songwriter who’s been hailed as ‘Australia’s answer to Angel Olsen’, owing to her fusion of country and indie music with melancholic, honest lyrics. Having released her dreamy second album Deep Is The Way earlier this year, she’s coming to TGE fresh from a homeland tour down under. IL
ĠENN
Image credit: Jordan Core
When: Saturday 13th May, 14:30
Where: Zahara, VOCAL GIRLS stage
This Anglo-Maltese four piece have been described as a ‘refreshing presence to the riot grrrl movement’, and will be bringing their high-octane energy to the VOCAL GIRLS stage for an exclusive TGE performance. Their 2021 EP Liminal received high praise for its echoes of psychedelic grunge, while more recent singles hint that there may be another project in the works. IL
Girl Scout
Image credit: Martyna Bannister
When: Friday 12th May, 21:30
Where: Prince Albert
After supporting Holly Humberstone’s sold-out UK shows last year, the Swedish foursome have a number of European dates lined up for the coming months. Describing their sound as “00s indie rock with influences from 60s songwriting”, Girl Scout will no doubt use TGE to showcase tracks from their recent debut EP, Real Life Human Garbage. IL
Heartworms
Image credit: Megan Graye
When: Thursday 11th May, 22:15; Friday 12th May, 22:00
Where: TGE Beach Stage; Charles Street Tap
Spearheaded by musician and poet Jojo Orme, Heartworms is a project that thrives on discordance. From gentle vocals to militant sprechgesang to near full-on screaming, her debut EP A Comforting Notion - released on label du jour Speedy Wunderground - showcases range and ambition at every turn. Live, Orme has cultivated a reputation for intense, hypnotic performance and an arresting thousand-yard stare. Salute! DC
Marika Hackman
Image credit: Luka Booth
When: Thursday 11th May, 19:30
Where: The Old Market
The indie pop/folk singer and queer icon is back! Four years on from her critically acclaimed fourth album Any Human Friend, the multi-instrumentalist is gracing The Great Escape after a long break from live shows, much to the delight of her fans. IL
Nell Mescal
Image credit: Jemima Marriott
When: Friday 12th May, 15:10
Where: Jubilee Square
Irish singer-songwriter Nell Mescal had a whirlwind 2022 after moving to London and signing to Q Prime records. Since dropping her debut single ‘Graduating’ last summer, she’s garnered a growing fanbase and is a hidden gem on some of this year’s best festival line-ups. IL
Picture Parlour
Image credit: Pete Ray
When: Saturday 13th May, 12:30
Where: Zahara, VOCAL GIRLS stage
This duo-turned-foursome are a buzzy new band with Northern roots. Although they don’t yet have any music released, Picture Parlour have taken the London live circuit by storm, selling out shows and courting interest from labels left, right and centre. Be sure to catch them at TGE for the ultimate ‘I was there’ bragging rights. IL
Porij
When: Friday 12th May, 21:00; Saturday 13th May, 14:15
Where: Charles Street Tap; Komedia Studio
Having played TGE’s 2022 iteration, this Manchester quartet are no strangers to Brighton, but they’ve continued to go from strength to strength since; most recently, the band announced a string of dates supporting Coldplay at their upcoming stadium shows. Porij’s sound blends garage, house, and art-pop, resulting in irresistibly fun tunes fit for the dancefloor and beyond. IL
Teeth Machine
When: Friday 12th May, 18:30; Saturday 13th May, 13:30
Where: TGE Beach Stage; Zahara, VOCAL GIRLS stage
Grungy and atmospheric, Teeth Machine have already made waves in the grassroots scene, despite only having three singles out in the world. Formed of five members, each having played in various other projects, their recent stint supporting Sorry proved that this is only the beginning for their distinctive, immersive sound. IL
Toni Sancho
Image credit: Marco Grey
When: Saturday 13th May, 22:15
Where: Unitarian Church
Despite only having two singles out, Toni Sancho’s name is likely one you’ll be hearing a lot more this summer. Her soulful, personal tracks recall the delivery of Bon Iver over the beats of Frank Ocean; together, it's the sort of modern R&B which perfectly soundtracks a sunny day (or indeed a Brighton beach trip). DC
You can get tickets for The Great Escape here.
Read more about the VOCAL GIRLS stage here.