THE GREAT ESCAPE festival for new music.

The Great Escape. The annual migration to the South. The British version of SXSW. The place where musically gifted are drawn to every year.

Is it really, though?

Well, actually I asked around.

People were giving it many different names. From the festival being great to representing chaos and queues to being an actual source of creativity and endless potential. Me? Probably, confused and content at the same time with a desire to literally escape a few times. Alright, just once.

Also, I never thought I would ever say this but – too many bands. TOO MANY BANDS. And I was there for 1,5 day.

I feel like my critic side is about to be revealed. Just a quick explanation –  my stay there consisted of running from one place to another, from one interview to the next one, from one unfinished drink to another.

Plus, the queues. Horrendous queues. Everywhere.

At least, the view was great.

Oh, and music. Of course, the music was great.

Alright, I admit that it might have been slightly my fault. I arrived very late on Friday night so I missed out a lot. I really tried to overachieve and had scheduled too much of everything. Perhaps, I missed the “good” fun? To be fair, I still don’t know. Let’s see then.

So there I was. 7.30 pm at the Brighton train station on a Friday night. All thanks to the National Rail for an hour delay and a huge traffic on a way from London.

After finally getting through the crowds flooding the streets of Brighton I found myself sweating in the press hub, said a few ‘Hi’ and ‘How’s it going?’, collected my pass and headed toward the place I was about to stay in, just to find out that my booking was not in the system. Splendid. It’s not like I was on the clock, right?

I sorted one of the primal needs which is having a shelter over my head [especially, when it supposed to be raining] and I was running again. Making an entrance and smashing the doors of The Brighthelm Centre in the middle of Lewis Del Mar‘s set I made my way to the front of the stage, leaving behind some unsatisfied members of the audience. A few ‘So sorry’ and a few snaps and I was gone again.

When I was making some preparations before taking off I thought that having a music festival at 40 venues would be a great idea. Wrong.

When I was making plans and scheduling the shows and interviews with bands I thought that the distance would not be that big. Wrong again.

It was 9 pm when I was overtaking smiling people on the seafront who were definitely having better time that I was. I think I tried to get in to two different venues on the way to Latest Music Bar to catch some last bits of Get Inuit’s show. But like I said earlier – queues.

Luckily, there was one band who came with a rescue. High Tyde, Brighton four-piece, decided to throw a party in their hometown, in a student house to be precise. Sharing the info about a secret set across all of their social media they managed to gather quite a big crowd. An open show to everyone, baring only the capacity of the room in mind.

To be fair, I count that show to the highlights of the entire festival. It was wicked. The band squeezed in the back playing some fan favourites, such as Dark Love, the crowd jumping around and singing back at them, the crowd getting on each other’s shoulders forgetting that it was not a concert venue with high ceilings, plus some less lucky people standing outside trying to still get in.

After chatting to a few fellow photographers and some friends I bumped into I said goodbye to the band and convinced my companion to go and see Blossoms. Stockport finest were playing a late set at Wagner Hall. It is always great to catch them doing their thing but the queues were RIDICULOUSLY MASSIVE!

Somehow, I got in. Beginner’s luck, I guess. Have I mentioned that was my first TGE adventure?

Not sure if it was just me being tired or it was the band just being tired [playing three gigs at the festival], or just the audience being tired of waiting in MASSIVE queues but I’d seen them putting on better shows. Still love them, though.

At least, pictures turned out to be quite good.

And Blown Rose is still a tune.

I feel like I need to clarify a couple of things. I don’t want to sound too critical or too picky, or too I-didn’t-actually-like-it because despite few issues the festival was really an amazing opportunity to see a lot of new artists. For instance, 1 am and I was still standing, less running at this point thank God, at the venue called The Haunt and I wasn’t sure who would appear onstage next. That feeling will always be one of my favourites.

Porches, an American project led by musician Aaron Maine, spreading their magnificent synthpop across vivid [as for 1 in the morning] crowd. I highly recommend you to listen to their second album Pool which was released this year!

After roughly three hours of sleep it was time to face the dawn of Saturday. Surprisingly awake, less fresh, I was ready to do it better this time. I made some changes to my schedule, postponed some appointments, crossed out almost a half of the shows I had planned to attend. A break for some food would be nice too.

Either way, I must admit that I will never get tired of the view. Brighton transformed into a vibrant and mosaic place with music being played in its every corner and synchronizing its songs with melodies brought by the waves.

One of the first bands I went to see on that day was London four-piece, The Hunna. Already well-known for an extraordinarily tight bond with their fans, H-Squad as they call themselves, the band displayed very energetic set and charismatic stage presence. I think it’s good to keep an eye out on these guys. They are about to make a huge mess.

And I was running once again. Three exciting interviews with three wonderful bands but I will keep it a secret for a while. But yes, a lot of running. I think I might give up the gym now.

VITAMIN, Leeds four-piece, were next on my list. Rocking the walls of Corn Exchange they put on really enjoyable performance. I believe everyone in that room did a little bit of clapping and swinging to their infectious tracks such as This Isn’t Love and Waterfall.

I caught a glimpse of a few gigs on the way to Beyond Retro to see Get Inuit play an extra set. One of those bands who never disappoint. I believe the trembling walls and shaking roof tops can agree on this too. Moreover, it was pretty cool seeing people stopping by on the street to hear what was going on.

You could literally find a band playing on every street and on every corner of the town.

A couple of minutes later, barely breathing, I was back at Corn Exchange to sing back lyrics of Bubblegum, Half In Love With Elizabeth and Two Doors Down. Mystery Jets always bring out the best in me. It felt great to jump with a crowd for a change. And it felt great to know that I still remembered the lyrics. Big time.

Meantime, I managed to see more artists I hadn’t seen before but I always wanted to, such as extraordinary MONEY. One of those who easily silence the audience the moment they appear on stage.

To be fair, at this point I couldn’t believe I actually made it to see the bands who were closing the festival. Those two days were extremely intense but there will always be artists I would never miss for the world.

How glad I was to finally witness the madness of DMA’s! Their debut album Hills End, which was released in February this year, is even more exquisite live. Massive choruses, 90s vibes and utterly rich in distinctive sounds Britpop which will leave you stunned, speechless and bewildered on the edge of your seat. Simply unmissable.

The last but not least, Jagwar Ma. What a piece they are!

My feet allowed me to stand just during the first three songs but I heard the entire set and I must say I was very impressed. I definitely need to dig up some more about them. Two brilliant Ozzies bands at the end.

Despite a few minor flaws The Great Escape was an amazing opportunity to see many incredible bands and artists. It was also a great opportunity to meet lots of people who share the same music taste or who just happened to be there.

As for me, I learnt my lessons. I will prepare better for next year and I will certainly include more entertainment, less work, in my schedule. And as it happens very often it is time to recall a quote, accurate or not, of one of my favourite authors in the world. Because after all, the festival was really great.

Francois Rabelais. He was a poet. And his last words were “I go to seek a Great Perhaps.” That’s why I’m going. So I don’t have to wait until I die to start seeking a Great Perhaps.