The Great Escape has officially announced the ‘First Fifty’ – a highly anticipated series of launch shows for the 2027 edition of the festival. This initial wave of programming features performances from a diverse roster of emerging artists, including Bathing Suits, Xanadu, chest., and Jordan Joy, among others.
Bathing Suits, 2026. CREDIT: Press
These launch events serve as a precursor to the main festival, which is scheduled to return to Brighton from May 12 to 15, 2027. The festival will once again showcase over 450 up-and-coming artists across more than 35 walkable venues, complemented by the industry-focused TGE conference.
A Celebration of Emerging Talent
To build momentum for the upcoming festival, organizers have curated a series of intimate gigs across seven venues in East London. On Thursday, November 12, twenty artists spanning indie, alternative, punk, pop, and electronic genres will take to the stage to provide a glimpse of the talent set to define the 2027 festival circuit.
The lineup for the November 12 London shows includes:
- Oslo (Ticketmaster New Music): Esmeralda Road, Xanadu, Pack of Animals, Jordan Joy
- Moth Club (DIY Neu Nights): Compost Compost Compost, Dumbhead, Die Twice
- The Shacklewell Arms (So Young): State of Grace, Spanish Horses, Angelface
- Sebright Arms (Dork): Bathing Suits, chest., Shrink
- Folklore (Clash): Half Star, Tesni, Casual Smart
- Paper Dress Vintage (BBC Introducing): simon. a, J Casa, Chiderah
- The Victoria (Ones to Watch): Aubory Bugg, Gianna, Abbie Gordon
Tickets for these exclusive performances start at £7.50 and are currently available for purchase. For further information and to secure tickets, fans are encouraged to visit the official festival website.
Reflecting on Success
The inclusion of Bathing Suits in the ‘First Fifty’ follows their significant success at the 2026 edition of The Great Escape, where they were honored with the prestigious Steve Strange Award. This accolade, established in memory of the late music agent and champion of emerging talent, recognizes artists making a standout impact at the festival. The band received a £5,000 grant to support their career development, joining a distinguished list of previous winners including Zetra and AGGRASOPPAR.
As the festival looks toward its future, the ‘First Fifty’ remains a vital platform for discovering the next generation of musical innovators. Further details regarding the full 2027 festival program will be announced in the coming months.