If you're heading for the sea, sand and the bevy of hotly rammed rooms for the three days of live music that make up Brighton's annual Geat Escape festival, the one problem is probably who should you be seeing - and who perhaps can wait a little longer, when gig clashes are par for the course.
We take a few tips from our writers and some of the artists themselves playing there on this year's Brighton Hot Rocks.
For a full gig planner and the days, times and venues that all mentioned artists will be playing, see below:
GreatEscape
Adrian Dutt - Spectres
PARQUET COURTS - These guys make us very happy with their angular-slacker vibes. Many Howling Owl record constructing sessions have been soundtracked by their album, and we can't wait to see them live!
THE 80s MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER - There's not much I can really say here, what a band! I just want to lose myself in their dirty guitars. [ Sadly, neither Adrian or anyone else will be losing themselves in the dirty guitars of the Matchbox as their appearance is now cancelled it was announced today, May 13, due to the band's splitting up - again.]
HONEYBLOOD - We stumbled across this two-piece last year and emailed them, we never got a reply. Oh well. But I absolutely LOVE their garage-fuzz-snarl, they will be massive by the end of the year no doubt, maybe they'll email us back too....
DRENGE - Great visceral noise pop, most of my friends seem to be talking about them, so I'm going to see what the fuss is about!
THE NATURALS - Probably the best band in the world that not enough people know about, PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THEM NOW. They are from another planet and make experimental guitar noise that sounds like Health/Battles etc BUT BETTER
Howling Owl have a showcase at 'Above Audio' on Friday May 17, with The Naturals (7.45), Velcro Hooks (8.30), Spectres (9.15) and Towns(10pm).
Harry Barnes - Music writer:
HOLY ESQUE - Straight away the name grabbed my attention - and you're in luck that the music does do. Their latest single "St." features shivering vocals and great guitar too. After their first EP 11 months ago, they are back for more, and they mean business.
IN THE VALLEY BELOW - Sweeping guitars and rhythm are key to this band, with dual vocals too. Their latest single came out just this month and is set for the perfect summer soundtrack. Make sure you check out their other music too, as dazzling as this - as is their live show
GUARDS - "Ready To Go" is the latest single from the swooning Guards from New York. They have a bigger than life sound that really deserves an ear or two. The band features a dynamic sound, with huge choruses - but relaxed at the same time.
BOMBAY SHOW PIG - These are extraordinary. Boasting catchy lyrics, distorted guitar and energy behind the drums, they know a thing or two about songwriting. Once you've had a listen, try to digest that this is a two piece.
CURRENT SWELL - The most chilled music of the lot, they have a Canadian sound of relaxed acoustic guitar with slow and catchy rhythm. Their songs are super catchy with wonderful sentiment to the lyrics too.
Steven McInerney - Embers:
GOLDEN FABLE - Ethereal vocals and beautifully arranged songs.
HALLS - Played with them in Manchester at the end of last year. Incredibly engaging to watch and really enjoyed the album 'Ark'.
MELODY'S ECHO CHAMBER - we played with them last weekend in Leeds and they were great. Beautiful gallic synth pop.
Embers play Friday May 17 at 12.20pm at Above Audio and on Saturday May 18 at 5.30pm at The Mesmerist.
Simon Mannion - Promoter:
EMBERS - These create such a huge, unique, brilliant sound that I genuinely think this will be one of the most talked about gigs of the whole Festival.
CHVRCHES - Another act who have come a long way in the last 12 months. They play nigh on perfect electro pop with incredibly catchy songs to match.
THE ADELINES - Top of my ‘must watch in 2013’ list. They create such a brilliantly catchy sound I defy anybody not to like them. Expect perfectly crafted indie pop songs with ‘jangly’ guitars and a great vocal. This band will be very big, very soon.
BIRD - They have that 'edge' live that blew me away the first time I saw them. Expect hypnotic guitar sounds, brilliant vocals and, well, just some fantastic songs.
Adele Emmas - Bird:
TEMPLES - We saw Temples for the very first time at Liverpool Sound City and they blew us away live, they were so tight and in tune with the music, I think they're going to go really far.
CHILDHOOD - We played with these guys last year at a small gig in Guildford. They played a great, upbeat and energetic set so we'll look forward to seeing how they're progressed.
DAN CROLL - He's from our home town of Liverpool but we're yet to see him live yet but we've heard good things so we'll be going to scope him out!
PHOSPHORESCENT - I had his song 'Song For Zula' on repeat for quite some time, it's really beautiful so I'd love to see that live and catch the rest of his set.
EMBERS - I've heard some great things about Embers ... dark, eerie, shoegaze is what we in Bird love!
Bird play The Basement at 12.30 on Saturday May 17.
David Beech - Music writer:
BEAR'S DEN - Acoustic trio Bear's Den assert their influences as “wool and steel” and it's easy to see why. Their music has something delightful rustic about it; a stripped down, back to basics affair that's attraction lies wholeheartedly it's simplicity.
LONDON GRAMMAR - Their debut EP, 'Metal & Dust', was a swirling, grandiose affair that encapsulated listeners and took them with it on a monolithic journey throughout fluid and changing soundscapes. If their sound on record can translate in to a live setting, then London Grammar are definitely a band you don't want to miss out on.
TITLE FIGHT - Their fusion of New Found Glory style hooks, with lyrics even the most emo of listeners will be proud, makes for a truly nostalgic experience. Throw in some gang-chant breakdowns and you're on to a winner.
EYE EMMA JEDI - Hailing from Oslo, Eye Emma Jedi, are making math-rock for the masses, without the err, masses. Quirky yes, erratic definitely, but ultimately a band who look like they will be an absolute riot live.
LITTLE GREEN CARS - Falling somewhere between Mumford & Sons and The Maccabees, the band fully embrace their home countries folk traditions while managing to keep their sound somewhat contemporary and in fitting with their peers.
Paul - Dingus Khan
DINOSAUR PILE UP - As they're playing on our stage! Others we think will be hot are
KING KRULE
DRENGE
WOLF ALICE
Dingus Khan are at The Hope on Thursday May 16 (evening)
Linn Branson - Music writer:
SUPERFOOD - The Brum band de jour who with only a few support dates and one online track to their name, are managing to fast build a reputation and ram rooms wherever they play.
SPECTRES - Noise rock doesn't come louder than with this Bristol-based quartet who like to use volume as a tool. Expect a surprising degree of head-banging melody interspersed with the white noise.
THE FAMILY RAIN- The three brothers from Bath stamp it loud and proud on their live shows. Very much a current buzz band.
THE STRYPES - The four Irish teenagers have been winning fans all round, including the likes of Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher, with their blues repertoire. Hailed as the 'big thing' of the moment.
JAGWAR MA - Aussie duo with a debut album dropping in June and making their TGE debut. It won't be their last. [Won't be their first either; another TGE cancellation announced today, May 13.]
PARQUET COURTS - They recently set London alight with their three sell-out shows, now it's Brighton's turn to be in thrall to their energy, melodies and Brooklyn punk.
Andrew Major - Music writer / Musician
LULS - London based 3-three piece LULS have been causing quite a stir of late. Securing a tour support slot with Spector and already championed by NME who described them as “a band capable of creating huge, filmic anthems that wind up and skyrocket off into the stratosphere”.
KLAXONS - The years of Nu-Rave are long gone however Klaxons have cemented their name amongst the pioneers of electronic influenced pop music of recent memory and played a part in paving the way for many current indie electro bands. The band are currently working on a third album and are still a force to be reckoned with on the live circuit.
DINGUS KHAN - 3 drummers, 3 bassists, an electric ukulele and one of most charismatic front men ever created; overall Dingus Khan deliver a raucous live set crammed full of infectious melodies you’ll be whistling for days after.
IGGY AZALEA - Hailing from Australia her fresh brand of Hip Hop is sure to be a big hit this summer, with her outrageously catchy track “Work” currently all over the national airwaves it can’t be long before Iggy is launched into the realms of super stardom.
BEACH FOSSILS - Relative veterans to the dream-pop scene, Beach Fossils have been building a reputation on the live circuit in their native New York (as well as side project DIIV) and have received critical international acclaim. Mix with a bit of sunshine and a tie-dye t-shirt.
John Paul Beaumont - Towns
HOWLING OWL RECORDS - People need to see all the bands on the Howling Owl Records stage. VELCRO HOOKS are my personal favourites, scuzzy rock n roll, with ridiculously good pop songs. THE NATURALS don't sound like anything you would have heard before. Honestly the most original and innovative band out there. They sound like a K-hole. While SPECTRES are the loudest band you may ever hear, but they contrast it with these brilliant moments of tranquility.
EAGULLS - One of our favourite bands. We had the pleasure of playing with them in Bristol a few months ago. They're brutal live, incredible vocals. Modern punk.
MELODY'S ECHO CHAMBER - Love the album. They're like Tame Impala with female vocals.
TRIPWIRES - Had the pleasure of touring with these guys quite recently. Great band. Combine BJM and shoegaze influences. Emerald is a tune! Great bass lines and guitar parts.
CHARLIE BOYER & THE VOYEURS - They sound like two bands I love - Television and Modern Lovers. Roadrunner roadrunner...
Towns play Above Audio on Friday May 17 at 22.00.
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