The Great Escape 2023: Saturday review
The sun shone brightly on the final day of this year’s Great Escape festival, which was appropriate, as Saturday was the day when the Aussies hit the beach. Sure, there were pebbles underfoot rather than sand, but the vibe was suitably Australian, with a bunch of rising stars from Down Under performing under blue skies as waves lapped the shore.
Early attendees to the beach site caught a set from one of yesterday’s standouts, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, after which Eliza Hull, Gena Rose Bruce (pictured, below) and Phoebe Go (who was a highlight from yesterday’s line-up) offered up emotive storytelling. The latter also reminded us to apply sunscreen as the sun beat down on the backs of necks and bare legs.
Back in the shadows of one of the tents, RVG‘s atmospheric, gothic post-punk sound soared. “Don’t go back in time. It’s not worth it,” vocalist Romy Vager implored during Squid. Whilst it was not the kind of day to be indoors, the Melbourne band’s spellbinding set entranced festival-goers in from the daylight until the tent was packed to the rafters. And those who chose to remain outside missed the highlight of the entire Aussie showcase.
Changing the vibe by approximately 100 percent was the next artist to appear on the same stage. Despite also coming out of Naarm/Melbs, Big Wett (pictured, top) was somewhat different to RVG, and indeed to anyone else playing at the festival. Dressed all in pink and singing over some big dance beats, the artist told tales about things like the time she “fucked your dad” and so on. “When you get high, and you get low, don’t forget my tongue was in your asshole,” she reminded us. Well, how could we forget?
The queue for the Beach Stage tent snaked almost to the sea as Nice Biscuit took to the stage, dressed magnificently as always. Their psychedelic soundscapes were hypnotic and complimented by choreographed moves and ethereal harmonies from vocalists Billie Star and Grace Cuell to create a visually and aurally impressive experience.
It wasn’t just about the Australians today though. While the beach vibes were tempting huge crowds, the rest of the festival was in full swing as well, as was the Alternative Escape as the streets of Brighton brimmed with weekend revellers.
One of the focal points of the festival is the outdoor stage at Jubilee Square and, ahead of a Eurovision screening there, the feelgood live set of the festival took place. Local lad Daniel Wakeford is no stranger to The Great Escape, having graced the same stage back in 2017.
The Undateables legend (pictured, below) drew a big crowd as Saturday afternoon turned into evening, and delighted them with a joyful performance which included an encore of fan-favourite track, Playboy Girls. Punctuating his energic set with high-kicks and air punches – his hair bouncing on the side of his head like a cocker spaniel’s ears – he sang “I’m a rock pop star, I’m a legend” and absolutely no-one in attendance could disagree with him. Life-affirming stuff.
Having created another epic queue for their second Alternative Escape gig of the festival at the Hope and Ruin earlier in the day, Personal Trainer brought our Great Escape to a close down on the beach with another mind-blowingly good set. The Dutch band’s songs sounded just as good in a tent as they did in a tiny, cavernous club or a pub. Of all the bands whose star ascended during TGE 2023, theirs perhaps flew the highest.
And that was it. Another year, another brilliant celebration of new music. See you on the seafront in 2024.
Review and photos by Bobby Townsend and Jayne Cheeseman.
