It is that time of the year again, festival season is here!

And in true tradition anyone attending The Great Escape had better break out their docs and rain ponchos, as Brighton showed itself from the wettest, most dreadful side.

Inspired by the pouring rain, we braved the weather to catch some promising acts across the city’s many venues.

First up were Anteros with their bittersweet pop hooks and seductively savvy melodies. The London quartet, who recently released their debut EP, Drunk, posed with a striking confidence, bringing the audience into the sticky pop universe of Anteros. Though the group’s repertoire at this point is rather slim, frontlady, Laura Hayden delivered with such passion and grace, each tune felt like its own performance.

Following was a rock and roll madness, as we dipped into the theatrics of Starcrawler‘s set. Drawing on influences from old school punk, classical rock lines and a modern attitude, the LA outfit had the audience stunned by the sheer power of their performance. Adding in a theatrical aspect of wicked posing and twisted visuals, Starcrawler embody something truly unique you didn’t know you needed.

Dropping by Goat Girl’s set, the technical issues and overall awkwardness over-ruled the hype, and I left in favour of Sløtface‘s unmistakable pop punk performance. The Norwegians did not disappoint with their fast-pace set, sparkled with hits and new material.

Following Sltøface at VEVO’s own stage was Will Joseph Cook. The sweet dreamer dazzled with his danceable tunes, yet The Amazons‘ bombastic rock melodies proved too hard to resist as I crossed the street for the last half of their set. With an album right around the corner there’s little doubt that the pressure is on the Reading outfit. However, no nerves are showing as the boys launched into cascades of mad guitar hammering and pure fits of rock and roll.

Following The Amazons I hurried across the city to catch gangly punk outfit, The Parrots. The Spanish four-piece threw a proper fiesta with relentless amounts of energy and a shabbiness that draws allusion to fellow Españolas, Hinds.

Rounding off the first day at The Great Escape was The Japanese House herself. Casting her magic over the packed VEVO stage, Amber Bain’s melancholic electro pop proved the perfect cool off after a crazy day.

Photos: Aurora Henni Krogh