The Great Escape 2023: Thursday review
The music world descended on the sunny south coast for the opening day of another jam-packed Great Escape festival.
Early on, Bristol’s Minor Conflict delivered interesting post-punky/folky soundscapes, complete with harp and trumpet, before New Zealand songsmith Reb Fountain impressed with her set, which at points had touches of the Sharon Van Etten about it. Meanwhile, down in the basement of the Queens Hotel, Amy Montgomery‘s infectious energy was a hit with the crowd.
With the forecast rain nowhere to be seen, a stroll up the famous pier offered sunshine and gorgeous views of the city, as well as a Scottish showcase in Horatio’s bar. After soaking up the very un-Scottish weather, punters were treated to a mesmerising set by Katie Gregson-MacLeod. Her tales of life and love were heartfelt and honest, her interactions with the packed room charming and funny. We will definitely be hearing much more from this singer-songwriter.
The Great Escape doesn’t just offer hot new acts. Along with the music programme is the TGE conference for delegates, with plenty of industry talks and networking events such as the Wide Days Scottish networking gathering at a seafront hotel. The yearly occasion is popular with delegates not least because of the vegan haggis and the always popular – and always delicious – deep fried Mars Bars.
Alongside the main festival, the (completely free) Alterative Escape also kicked off, with many bands from the main TGE line-up playing supplementary shows in bars around the city. Personal Trainer were one such group to give a free show, and illustrated why wristband holders simply must go and see one of their two shows at the main festival over the next couple of days.
Highlight of the day was Billie Marten. To a packed room, the singer-songwriter from North Yorkshire delivered songs from her new album, Drop Cherries, as well as some offerings from her previous LPs. Backed by her band of impressive musicians, the artist’s set included Willow and I Can’t Get My Head Around You from the beautiful Drop Cherries.
Despite the sound at Brighton’s Komedia hardly complimenting the nuances of her music – and with the lead vocal being painfully low in the mix to the point that it was often hard to hear – the beauty of Billie Marten’s songwriting prowess still shone through and this standout set at TGE proved that she is an artist to cherish.
Next at the same venue was Willie J. Healey, who played pop-infected rock ‘n’ roll with the kind of swagger and confidence that made it easy to see why Florence Welch handpicked him to support her band’s arena tour.
At the same time in the Komedia’s upstairs studio, Lila Drew sang poppy anthems that wouldn’t have been out of place in an early 2000’s teen rom-com. Which is no bad thing.
With gigs continuing throughout the evening in every nook and cranny of the city, it’s safe to say that the latest instalment of TGE got off to a flying start.
Review by Bobby Townsend and Jayne Cheeseman. Top photo credit: Bobby Townsend. Other photos: Press.
