FESTIVAL PREVIEW: The Great Escape 2026

The Great Escape has unveiled a fresh wave of 100+ artists joining this year’s line-up, bringing emerging talent from across the globe to Brighton for the festival’s 2026 20th anniversary edition. This year’s daily highlights have also been revealed, spotlighting the artists set to make a major impact across the four-day festival, alongside the introduction of new TGE Wristband Rewards, offering exclusive perks and discounts for attendees across participating Brighton venues

Heading to Brighton this May, the latest additions highlight a diverse roster. Among them are Los Angeles pop singer-songwriter Arima Ederra, Brighton alt-indie duo ARXX, and Orlando indie-pop talent Bella Kay, alongside Welsh songwriter Ben Ellis. UK drag artist and pop provocateur Bimini also joins the line-up, supporting Peaches’ Spotlight Show at The Brighton Dome Concert Hall on the 15th May. South London rapper Ceebo adds a dose of grime and hip-hop, while London’s Charlotte Plank brings high-energy drum & bass-infused electronic pop. US hyperpop artist Chase Icon also joins the bill, alongside Nottingham post-punk outfit Do Nothing and Birmingham alt-indie duo Gans.

Elsewhere, Irish/Cornish indie outfit Girl in the Year Above and Swedish indie-pop band Girl Scout showcase fresh indie sounds, while Cambridge shoegaze duo The Healing Power of Horses and Glasgow’s soulful singer-songwriter Kerr Mercer add further depth. North London talents Lauren Duffus and Madmadmad represent the capital’s thriving electronic scene, joined by London based indie artist Max Winter and Bristol post-punk newcomers My First Time. Soulful R&B comes courtesy of Nectar Woode, while electronic trio PVA and Norwegian dream-pop artist Sassy 009 continue the genre-spanning momentum.

The line-up also features Los Angeles post-punk band Sunday Mourners, Belgian indie rockers The Haunted Youth, and London’s progressive outfit The Orchestra (For Now), alongside indie rock favourites The Skinner Brothers and Australian four-piece The Tullamarines. Lancashire’s Tom Rasmussen brings art-pop flair, while Cambridge singer-songwriter Tommy Barlow offers a more introspective edge. London producer Tsatsamis adds confessional dance-pop to the mix, joined by genre-defying band Y.