10 things we learnt at Great Escape 2011
- May 17, 2011
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside. And this past weekend we were, at the exemplary Great Escape 2011 down in sunny Brighton. Here's 10 things we learnt at the Great Escape...
10. Josh T Pearson looks like the next door neighbour with the shovel in Home Alone. Like said character, he is brilliant.
9. If you sing Robbie Williams hits on a night bus, lots of people will join in. Nobody can resist the chorus in 'Feel', no matter how hard they try.
8. Street gigs are more fun than normal gigs. Stick James Vincent McMorrow in front of the famous Brighton beach donut, add some "general sea ambience" and you have a perfect afternoon set on your hands.
7. The music industry is fine! What were you worrying about? Lots of positivity in the conventions, be it from Frank Turner or Soundcloud, with most proclaiming live music as a likely saviour.
6. Yuck are one of the most fun live bands in the UK right now. Silly lyrics, loud guitars and enough killer hooks to make a dodgy pub on the end of the pier shake.
5. Clashes at city festivals can be a bit of a nightmare. For the poor fans of clashing bands Brother and The View, we feel sorry for you – in more ways than one.
4. Bacardi Breezers are the work of the devil. Sugar-free Relentless samples are even worse.
3. It takes more than a dodgy sound system to stop Twin Shadow sounding stunning, but Warpaint stole the show.
2. Never watch the FA Cup Final when you could hunt down some more street gigs/play in the arcades/sit on the beach/watch paint dry instead.
1. Rather than queuing for hours and not seeing any music, you are far better off wandering into a smaller venue, watching someone you've never heard of and discovering your favourite new band.
We'll have a full review of The Great Escape Festival 2011 live on Virgin.com asap.
Greg Rose
Photos by Matt Proud
