UK festival season has started with The Great Escape 2025 in Brighton – which was blessed with four days of blazing sunshine and decent temperatures.
More than 450 bands and artists across the entire city for four days – Weds 14th May, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – in circa 32 official venues plus the free entry fringe gigs – a brilliantly diverse and vibrant mass showcase for new music.
Plus a few major names such as Peter Doherty, Skunk Anansie, Mercury-Prize winners English Teacher, The K’s and Rizzle Kicks.
Acts from circa 35 countries around the world such as USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Iran, Faroe Islands, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia, Brazil, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland, and most countries across Europe.
Enjoy this gallery of superb images of some of the best and most interesting acts from day # 1 [Weds] across many different stages and venues:
* Peter Doherty headline set [& guesting with Trampolene]
* Warmduscher the British post-punk band formed in 2014 in London
* Brighton-based artist Rea
* Notoriously described as “a loud band from Bristol”, Heavy Lungs
* Brighton-based DIY garage rock duo Currls
* Welsh alternative indie rock’n’roll with the odd bit of spoken word from Trampolene
Thousands of fans from across the globe flocked to this eclectic festival – plus the conference side of TGE, with VIP guest speakers and industry events – which was founded in 2006.
It was cancelled in 2020 due to the Panedemic, was an on-line virtual event in 2021 and last year, 2024, there was controversy when many acts pulled out in protest at Barclaycard being a sponsor.
But the event is back with a bang in 2025, hailed a big success, and has made sure the city that hosts the event has many of their own bands and artists getting a slot and a chance to shine.
Music Republic Magazine were invited along for the third consecutive year of our coverage of the festival to soak up the atmosphere and capture some stunning photographs – catching a bunch of cracking bands and talented artists in action.
The brace of our super snappers Alex Asprey and Manja Williams were out and about about on all four days from start to finish, covering a slew of bands and artists in many venues, including the fringe gigs and street performances.
The eclectic lineup really was top notch and included some big names – such as Peter Doherty and his band, Rizzle Kicks, Skunk Anansie and Mercury-Prize winners English Teacher– and shone the spotlight on many rising stars, including an opportunity for many overseas acts to come here for showcases.
TGE is very focused on brand new artists and bands getting their first taste of festival crowds.
On day one, Strap Originals [the record label owned by Libertines star Peter Doherty] staged Beach Takeover featuring Peter and his band and two acts signed to the label: Warmduscher and Trampolene, at The Great Escape Beach Site.
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The Great Escape Festival next year is scheduled for 13th – 16th May 2026.
Photos by:
Alex Asprey (captioned AA)
Manja Williams (captioned MW)
3 x images supplied by the festival’s PR (captioned TGE)
Words by Steve Best
* Check out our coverage of days 2, 3 & 4….*
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