That was The Great Escape 2025. Each year, the Brighton showcase continues to expand in both size and significance – the latest edition featured 450 acts, and while we can't claim to have seen them all, this felt like a particularly memorable installment of the festival.
Why is that? Some aspects are fleeting – the beautiful Brighton weather, for instance, or the fortunate luck of venue queues working in our favor. It could be about seeing the right artists at the right time. Perhaps it simply reflects the fact that there is a remarkable wave of new talent emerging in the UK across various genres (and some yet to be identified).
Whatever the reason may be, The Great Escape 2025 seemed significant. Reputations were established, enjoyment was abundant, and the sun was shining. Below are the 10 best performances we witnessed at this year’s festival.
—
Westside Cowboy
Westside Cowboy, your time has arrived. The band triumphed in the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition before releasing their debut single on two incredibly cool independent labels – a collaboration between Heist Or Hit and Nice Swan.
Playing multiple shows at The Great Escape (four, to be precise), Westside Cowboy stood out as a highlight of the weekend. Their sound is reminiscent of an early Pavement meeting Teenage Fanclub, with tunes that could easily find resonance on TikTok. There’s something for the 6Music record shop enthusiasts – hello! – as well as a youthful perspective, and their live performance is well-developed. We foresee big things for this indie rock group.
—
Silver Gore
By the time Clash arrived at the Prince Albert, Silver Gore had already created a buzz. After a wait on the staircase due to the one-in, one-out policy, we managed to get inside just in time. Their sound is like a sparkling hyper-pop version of Jockstrap – by the way, we’re due for another album from them soon – exuding bright, vibrant energy. Despite the futuristic electronic elements, their performance is firmly rooted in the art of pop songwriting.
—
Sex Mask
We wouldn’t have anticipated a band named Sex Mask to deliver low-key virginal folk-rock, would we? The Melbourne group brought an energetic performance to the downstairs venue at Patterns – this being their second show of the day, they were well-prepared by this time. Dubbed by an observer as ‘smackhead Ian Curtis,’ we can agree, as their mix of gritty, deviant thrills and post-punk edge was one of the weekend’s most exhilarating auditory experiences.
—
The Itch
With just three songs available on streaming platforms, The Itch has surprisingly managed to maintain a low profile. Occasionally appearing at DJ sets around London has kept the hype alive, and their basement performance at Rossi’s turned into an exhilarating sweat-fest before they even began. If we were to describe their sound – think early DFA Records chopped and rearranged by A. G. Cook, resulting in an amazing indie-disco experience that combines post-punk roots with a lack of expectations. It was an absolute blast, marking one of the weekend’s most carefree and genuinely enjoyable moments.
—
RIP Magic
And what good fortune, as Rossi’s now sweaty basement treated us to another outstanding new band. In the past, having two bands with similar sounds on the same bill might have prompted Steve Lamacq to declare a new musical scene – RIP Magic, however, is perhaps more intricate and edgy than their counterparts, employing a Deftones-like weightiness amid a data-driven overflow. Their music is intense, electrifying and impactful in a positive sense.
—
The New Eves
Music as magic, with the pop song as a ritual – The New Eves draw inspiration from folk while sounding distinctly unconventional. Based in Brighton, their performance captures the essence of the city's energy – free from predecessors, you can hear a hint of Let’s Eat Grandma’s unique charm within their sound. They are wholly original and captivating in every way.
—
Chloe Qisha
A pop star in the making, Chloe Qisha’s ascent is as certain as the morning sun rising over Brighton pier. Armed with a fantastic collection of pop songs, her set at Patterns is less of a performance and more of a celebration – vibrant, playful, and ambitious, this petite dynamo transformed a cramped basement into a lively arena with her energetic songwriting. She has a great sense of humor, too. Definitely one to keep an eye on – although, truthfully, you should have noticed her already.
—
Witch Post
As the sun set and the air took on a cooler feel, Witch Post took the stage at TGE Beach for one of the festival’s most eagerly awaited performances (at least by us). With the talented American songwriter Alaska Reid and the Scottish artist Dylan Fraser, the group delivered a captivating set from beginning to end. Their songs are incredibly strong, and the chemistry among them enhances the depth of their goth-inspired charms,
Joy Crookes is set to release her new album 'Juniper' later this year. The UK singer-songwriter hosted a fan event overnight, delivering an intimate performance at one of her events.
SOFIA ISELLA is back with her new EP 'I'm camera.' - listen now. The sparkling pop sensation opened for Taylor Swift during her incredible shows at Wembley Stadium last year.
Conan Gray is set to launch his new album 'Wishbone' on August 15th. The American pop singer remains consistently innovative, with his third album 'Found Heaven' having been released recently.
Burna Boy and Travis Scott come together for their latest single 'TaTata'. Released now, this track serves as a precursor to Burna Boy's forthcoming album, which will be his eighth, titled 'No Sign Of'.
The Detroit electronic group HiTech, consisting of King Milo, Milf Melly, and 47Chops, has launched a new mixtape titled 'HONEYPAQQ Vol. 1', released through Loma Vista.
Tom Odell is set to release his upcoming album 'A Wonderful Life' on September 5th. The BRIT Award-winning artist will be supporting Billie Eilish on her extensive European tour this year.
That was The Great Escape 2025. The Brighton showcase continues to expand in both size and significance each year – the most recent edition featured 450 acts in its lineup, and