The Great Escape has evolved into a truly global event, with performers traveling from both nearby and distant locations, including Kent and Korea, to participate. This year's lineup features 450 artists across every conceivable genre, as well as a few that have yet to be labeled.
As always, the representation from Canada is set to be significant. There is a historic connection between The Great Escape and Canada, and every year seems to reinforce those ties with a flurry of performances that generate much buzz.
The year 2025 will continue this tradition. Canada House will take over the independent venue Green Door Store from May 15th to 17th for three days of live music, highlighting some of Canada’s best emerging talents. Meanwhile, Canadian artists will be actively involved throughout the event, contributing to celebrations spanning the city.
Clash has identified nine standout acts to watch at this year's Great Escape.
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**GeminiCrab**
Montreal, a classic port city, is a blend of cultures and languages that nourish its creative scenes. GeminiCrab exemplifies this blend—comprising keyboardist-producer Caulder Nash and Grammy-nominated vocalist-producer Malika Tirolien, the duo transitions between alt-soul and jazz-inflected hip-hop. Their album ‘Gen Y Lens’ offers a soulful sound transformed through a modern lens; it is smooth, delightful, and distinctly inventive.
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**Field Guide**
The long winters in Winnipeg, Manitoba shape the city's artistic communities. These darker months are ideal for introspection and developing various projects, enabling Winnipeg to exceed expectations both nationally and beyond. Field Guide, the project of songwriter Dylan MacDonald, illustrates this point; rooted in Americana, he infuses it with vintage synths reminiscent of Springsteen's ‘Dancing In The Dark’, establishing a unique prairie sound. His album ‘Rootin For Ya’ marked a significant moment, and more is anticipated in Brighton.
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**Rich Aucoin**
Rich Aucoin is a prolific solo indie pop artist. The Halifax, Nova Scotia musician has released five albums, garnering critical acclaim and winning the Sirius XM Indie Awards’ Emerging Artist Of The Year. Fiercely independent, he has recently developed a passion for film scores and video game soundtracks, blending his distinctive generative art style with his unique indie pop. Expect surprises from this latest chapter in his artistic journey.
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**Declan O’Donovan**
Every track from Declan O’Donovan, hailing from Whitehorse, Yukon, carries the essence of familiar characters and encounters from the past. Grounded in evocative piano melodies, his music evokes the haunting persona of Tom Waits or the lush ballads of Harry Nilsson from Hollywood. Gifted with a unique, lived-in voice, Declan’s 2022 album ‘Amok’ resembles a collection of short stories, placing his narrative style outside the typical pop landscape.
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**Dump Babes**
With their vibrant, punchy, and theatrical style, the Saskatoon five-piece Dump Babes stands out in a sometimes overly serious world. Their infectious, danceable tunes and surreal fun lean more toward glam than indie rock.
Familiar to Saskatchewan audiences, they’ve gained cult favorite status with their exuberant, glitter-filled live performances locally. As a rare international appearance, The Great Escape crowds should get ready for something special.
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**Genevieve Racette**
Genevieve Racette delivers rare insights through her songwriting, blending indie affection, gilded Americana, and pop melodies that cut through even the toughest defenses. Now well-established in Montreal, where she is fully bilingual, her albums—such as 2022's ‘Satellite’ and the forthcoming ‘Golden’—showcase her captivating lyricism and her rich, compelling voice.
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**Bria Salmena**
Some regular Clash readers might recognize Bria Salmena. She gained attention for her key role in the post-punk band FRIGS and has toured as a vocalist alongside masked country artist Orville Peck. In her solo work, Salmena defies easy categorization; while electronic in style, her music is characterized by genuine sincerity. Her aptly titled album ‘Big Dog’ received acclaim when released in March. Her performance at Great Escape is sure to be one of Brighton's highlights.
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**The Jins**
Vancouver is known for its high standard of living, with a stunning coastline, breathtaking mountains, and a solid economy. Add some outstanding indie rock into the mix, and Vancouver emerges as a formidable player. The Jins are a classic power trio, seamlessly blending their sounds. Drawing influences from early Sub Pop—think Mudhoney and TAD—and similar bands like Japandroids, their energetic track ‘She Said’ became a TikTok sensation, amassing over seven million streams on Spotify. Expect high energy and excitement – don’t miss out.
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**CJ Wiley**
Identifying as a non-binary cowboy, CJ Wiley is busy redefining their heritage. A dynamic performer
The Great Escape has evolved into a genuinely international event, featuring performers traveling from both nearby and distant locations, including Kent and Korea, to participate.