As we leave Brighton behind for the unwelcome reality of everyday life, we look back at some particular highlights of The Great Escape.

With over 400 acts on their bill, The Great Escape offers an incredible variety of gigs spread out across Brighton’s various venues. Though it is simply impossible to catch them all, some acts were favoured and here’s my top picks from the weekend:

COMMUNIONS at The East Wing

Communions’ nostalgic flare and distinctive guitar work bloomed during their Great Escape set last weekend. The dreamy Danes debuted this year with marvelling Blue and the recent record definitely defined their set in many ways. Growing a brooding confidence, Jacob van Deurs Formann’s infusing trance-like guitar-melodies dazzle in limbo with the sardonic deprecating lyricism. Drawing on their eternal theme and indefinite escapism, Communions aren’t a band of many words. Letting the music speak is a strong point with their striking repertoire, yet we do enjoy ourselves some Danish accents. Communions’ saturating melodies sparkle of nostalgia, yet their innovative tang and immense live bass-work strives beyond. All coming together live, it’s a danceable dream.

THE BLINDERS at Hope And Ruin

Bringing their savvy punk tracks to Brighton’s Hope And Ruin, The Blinders sparked some northern feel to the seaside city. Posing with stark confidence and snarky political message, The Blinders have more to show for than your average backyard punks. Their gritty sound draws on a twisted sardonic nature that translates quite interesting in the context of their in-your-face lyricism. Manchester-trio’s sharp edges and brutally staggering percussion can be overwhelming, but what is music if it doesn’t make you feel something? With lead Thomas Haywood having “Fuckin vote Labour” sharped across his naked torso, there are still enough of that initial punk-esque cut in there to make a crowd both scream and shout about all the right things. The Blinders are an all-encompassing band, and with sweat, noise and eager passion, these guys have everything needed to go far.

THE MAGIC GANG at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar

How can you compete with The Magic Gang? Their immense charm and striking joy overshadows those odd moments of broken strings and vocal slips. Taking on their hometown, the Brighton boys seem to be eager to please and play up a big one at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar. Mixing up material from their past three EPs, The Magic Gang showcase how far they’ve come since ‘She Won’t Ghost’. Their vocal harmonies and sleek bouncy riffs intertwine in a sun-dazed feel that completely defies any doubt that these boys have got some magic. The seamless performance on stage is perpetually backed up by the almost hymnal choir of the audience. This, alongside their internal chemistry, makes these old school romantic’s soppy love stories shine in a live setting. All that’s left is that album we’re still eagerly awaiting.

Honourable mentions:

Anteros’ bitter dream pop set at Bleach.

Dream Wife’s brought their most badass attitude to VEVO’s Wagner Hall.

Sløtface’s high energy, in-your-face set at Wagner Hall.

Rat Boy overcame technical difficulty and blasted the Wagner Hall.