Ones To Watch At The Great Escape 2025

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The Great Escape 2025 is shaping up to be one hell of a ride with some of the world’s best talent descending on the pebbled beaches of Brighton

Warmduscher

Famed for their mic-swinging, party-erupting live performances, there’s no band we’d rather see kick off the festival shenanigans than Warmduscher. This London-based six-piece defies genre boundaries, seamlessly blending post-punk, funk, jazz, and more into their electrifying sound. Expect infectious energy, sonic explosions and psychedelic grooves. 

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Adult DVD

Leeds-based six-piece Adult DVD fuse techno beats, indie guitars, and post-punk vocals into relentless, toe-tapping bangers. Their gigs are said to have the euphoric energy of a club night, so it’s no surprise they’ve been selling out shows this year. We can’t wait to experience it for ourselves.

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Clara Mann

There is something hauntingly charming about Clara Mann‘ music as it is layered in deep melancholy, yet her soaring vocals lift you up, no matter the subject. After catching her live, opening for Willie J Healey, we were captivated. She turned a room of 500 people to complete silence, it was awe inspiring.

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Currls

The Brighton collective formed back in 2017 and since then have been a staple within the cities underground scene. They’ve been hailed and shown support from the likes of BBC Radio 6′ Amy Lame, Steve Lamacq, and Marc Riley as well as support on Radio 1 via Alyx Holcombe. It’s no surprise either, as their riotous, anarchic, garage rock sound is nothing short of a injection of adrenaline that instantly gets the heart beating. There’s no doubt that the hometown show for TGE will be a complete and utter party.

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Donny Benet

Donny Benet has been a cult figure in the Australian music scene since his debut release back in 2011. Since then, he’s been growing an audience across the world, particularly here in the U.K. The 80’s throwback but slightly tongue-in-cheek approach has audiences captivated. Much like Getdown Services, who recently opened for Donny, you cannot help but groove and move to his music. It is our belief that over the next year we will see Donny Benet break out of cult status and shift into the more mainstream view. Frankly, music that makes you wanna groove in a silk suit under the Miami heat is a welcome addition.

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English Teacher

When you witness English Teacher live, it’s easy to see why the four-piece were awarded the Mercury Prize last year. Their set takes you on a journey through sound, weaving from spine-tingling, delicate piano and cello to bone-rattling guitar riffs and drum crescendos. It’s sharp, tight and completely transcendent. 

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FEET

The Coventry via London band have built a strong following in the past few years, with multiple EP’s and LP’s now under their belt. Their latest LP, ‘Make It Up’ was sign of refinement for the band, who have a distinctly off-kilter indie sound that is remisncent of Blur. After witnessing these chaps live countless times we know that those in attendance at The Great Escape are in for a real treat.

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Fiona Lee

Fiona Lee recently caused a stir with her ‘Nothing Compares To Nineteen’ EP, which was a collection of heartfelt, deeply honest, and vulnerable songs, all boasting Fiona’s impeccable songwriting. It’s not often an artist like Fiona comes around and we are incredibly excited to see her grow as an artist. Be sure to watch her live at The Great Escape 2025.

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Fuzz Lightyear

The Leeds based experimental rockers recently caught our ear with their ‘My Body/Visual Effect’ EP, a shining example of the bands deeply DIY approach to guitar driven music. It’s early days for the emerging band but we want to be on the frontlines of this wildly creative group. See you at the front at TGE?

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Hachiku

We first caught wind if Hachiku with the single ‘Tell Your Friends You Love Them’, a hypnotic bout of indie-electro that had waves of bedroom pop resonating throughout. There’s a level of fun sonically, yet poignant lyrically, it’s a fantastic mix and one we cannot wait to witness live.

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Home Counties

Home Counties, off the back of their ‘Exactly As It Seems’ LP, felt like a fully fledged project. Although the wonky indie sound remains, the addition of synths created a whole new layer to their sound. Not to mention, gave space for the songwriting to grow. Home Counties have the potential to follow closely behind English Teacher and their set at The Great Escape could be a “I was there moment”.

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Heavy Lungs

The Bristolian punk rockers are arguably one of the most underappreciated bands from the South-West. In the past few years they’ve been working hard on creating a sound that sets them apart from their contemporaries, and with the release of their new single ‘Mr. Famous’, they’ve done just that. Heavy Lungs could have stuck with the post-punk sound but it is evident that they’re so much more than just another post-punk band from Bristol. We are incredibly excited to see Heavy Lungs live and showcase the new music and what seems to be new found confidence in themselves.

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Jools

There is often a conversation about rock music being dead (whatever the fuck that means) BUT bands like Jools but that conversation to bed. Their music is wild, in your face, and most importantly, guitar driven. Rock is very much alive and Jools are evidence of this. If you’re concerned about the health of rock music, then get yourself to the Jools show at The Great Escape.

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Luvcat

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve no doubt heard of Luvcat. The past year has seen her build a rapid fanbase online with her heavily romanticised music that is on the line of baroque theatre. It’s wonderfully lustful, unapologetically confident, and a little bit naughty. Keep your ears and eyes on Luvcat, it’s likely she’ll be headlining The Great Escape next year.

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The Bug Club

One of the best guitar bands to emerge in the last 10 years, easily. We live in very serious times and sometimes it’s nice to have a band come through who jam out, give a good riff, and a few tasty licks and leave. This is The Bug Club. It’s fun, high intensity, and delightfully wholesome. It’s that good ol rock n roll that makes the heart swell. The Bug Club at The Great Escape will be a real TREAT.

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The Velvet Hands

The Cornwall via London are one of the hardest working outfits in the country. Their determination and resilience is nothing short of impressive. All of this is now starting to pay off as the band have had many successful shows across the EU, Cornwall, and in London. Recently, they sold out the iconic Dingwalls and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. Get ready for The Velvet Hands because they’ve been ready for a while.

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Trampolene

The Welsh rockers are not only one of the most poetic and fun live bands we’ve ever seen, they’re bloody great chaps. If you’re looking for some heartfelt rock n roll that is straight from the heart, then you know where to go. See you at the front?

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Welly

These young upstarts are taking the country by storm and it’s likely this domination will not end until every corner of the country knows who Welly is. 2025 is going to be breakout year for this band and we cannot wait to see their wonderful faces plastered across your FYP and beyond.

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