**** The Great Escape Official Thread ****

[Hotchilidog]

Caught Fight Like Apes, Black Lung, the amazing Frank Turner, Sissy and the Blisters and Warpaint. An excellent start to the weekend and Mr Turner is just genius. Tonight we're heading into dark territory with Josh Pearson and Villagers if we can get into the pavilion theatre.

 

[Notters]

Saw Frank Turner twice which was ace. It's not a style that I usually listen to but really enjoyed it. Saw Twin Shadow, who were on before Warpaint and like New Order meets the Smiths. Was then very undewhelmed by warpaint who had good guitar sounds but shit vocals IMHO.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Caught Suuns at Audio who were the pick of the night. Horatios for Cults, saw some of Gang Gang Dance and Dog is Dead at Jam.

Today I plan to see Marina Gasolina (she is the former Bonde De Role front woman) at 2pm and PlanningtoRock at midnight and some other stuff in between.

Back to bed now, trying to shake my hangover off.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Oh, and I've just noticed mid-life crisis "I'm wacky me" whore monger MP Mike Weatherly is on some pop panel tomorrow. Leave us alone, please.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Yesterday was a bit brutal. Started off at noon with a rather interesting panel discussion about pop and politics with two MPs and two musicians and ended up past midnight at The Vaccines.

Saw Die! Die! Die! at The Hope; crazy power punk trio from NZ. EMA outside round the back of The Globe. Guillemots open air street gig (dont really like them but mates wanted to go) then two awful laptop DJ/artists/whatever at Audio. One was called Drugs...I think you'd need shed loads to enjoy his nonsense. I also embarrassed myself by slagging them off to a mate I bumped into...who happened to be with their manager. The the truly excellent Naked and Famous and said Vaccines.

I had planned to catch industrial nutters Factory Floor but took my sorry body home.

All in all a bloody good weekend.

Only disappointment was that PlanningtoRock cancelled.

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

im feeling the effects of it all now. Highlights for me were Ben Caplan, The sounds, the quite magnificent Lanterns on the Lake & Cloud control

Im gigged out now

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I feel ruined. Too much walking, too much drinking and too much crap food. Work tomorrow I bloody loved Alele Diane last doors yesterday.

 

[Mendoza]

i was one of at least 20 people who had their phones nicked in The Corn Exchange (during the vaccines), spoiled a great weekend

body is hurting after a few days drinking.

My favourite two acts were Brother and Lucy Swann, quite likes Naked and Famous too, but it was spoiled by being stood next to some complete pricks

ALl gigged out, and had enough of men in skinny jeans, and acts calling Brighton "London by the sea"

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

i was one of at least 20 people who had their phones nicked in The Corn Exchange (during the vaccines), spoiled a great weekend

body is hurting after a few days drinking.

My favourite two acts were Brother and Lucy Swann, quite likes Naked and Famous too, but it was spoiled by being stood next to some complete pricks

ALl gigged out, and had enough of men in skinny jeans, and acts calling Brighton "London by the sea"

Can I ask how you're sure your phone was nicked? I speak from experience as me and a mate were at a punk gig (Gallows) a year ago and towards the end there was some moshing which we got involved in. Coincidentally we both lost our phones. At the time I assumed we lost them whilst getting flung around the venue but over time and having heard stories I have thought maybe something more sinister happened. That said I cannot see how someone got my iPhone out of my pocket and did the same to my mate.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

As for Mike Weatherly MP, overall he came across okay but he did have a very bizarre answer when asked about the idea that there are relatively few right wing song lyrics. He claimed that conservatism is based on individual freedom and therefore the very fact anyone can write a song he argues that technically all lyrics are therefore right wing. The host did enquire if this meant we are all therefore conservatives......to a few smirks.

 

[Mendoza]

Can I ask how you're sure your phone was nicked? I speak from experience as me and a mate were at a punk gig (Gallows) a year ago and towards the end there was some moshing which we got involved in. Coincidentally we both lost our phones. At the time I assumed we lost them whilst getting flung around the venue but over time and having heard stories I have thought maybe something more sinister happened. That said I cannot see how someone got my iPhone out of my pocket and did the same to my mate.

I dont know how it happened, but I can pin it down to the first 15 minutes of the Vaccines starting.

The moshing started i got pushed around with everyone else, I then went to take a photo with my phone but it was gone. I looked on the floor, but there was no way of seeing it. I bumped into a girl who was looking for her phone too.

We said we would wait to end of gig to look for our phones on the floor. When the gig finished, we looked for our phones, we then bumped into another girl looking for her phone. We then bumped into a nother guy looking for his phone (he was a Brighton fan, mate of Sheebo), we then saw another guy and girl looking for their phones.

There were at least 15-20 people all who had lost their phone looking for it on the floor. Not one phone was found by any of us. As we went to security to ask if any had been handed in, there were more people asking, if phones had been handed in.

My phone is always in my front pocket on my jeans, other guys i spoke to keep their phones in their front pockets, the girls had them taken from their bags and pockets


after all of that, I still have no idea how they got mine, or anyone elses phone though

 

[Mr Banana]

My favourite two acts were Brother and Lucy Swann, but it was spoiled by being stood next to some complete pricks

What were you expecting, cheery folky types?

Loads of people got their stuff nicked in Coalition last Friday. And Audio last Thursday. It's getting worse, leek. Bassas.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I dont know how it happened, but I can pin it down to the first 15 minutes of the Vaccines starting.

The moshing started i got pushed around with everyone else, I then went to take a photo with my phone but it was gone. I looked on the floor, but there was no way of seeing it. I bumped into a girl who was looking for her phone too.

We said we would wait to end of gig to look for our phones on the floor. When the gig finished, we looked for our phones, we then bumped into another girl looking for her phone. We then bumped into a nother guy looking for his phone (he was a Brighton fan, mate of Sheebo), we then saw another guy and girl looking for their phones.

There were at least 15-20 people all who had lost their phone looking for it on the floor. Not one phone was found by any of us. As we went to security to ask if any had been handed in, there were more people asking, if phones had been handed in.

My phone is always in my front pocket on my jeans, other guys i spoke to keep their phones in their front pockets, the girls had them taken from their bags and pockets


after all of that, I still have no idea how they got mine, or anyone elses phone though

Interesting, this is exactly what happened with me. Sorry to hear this, hope it didn't ruin too much of your night.

 

[spring hall convert]

Had another absolutely top weekend. I don't get people that say they can't get into what they want to. Do some research beforehand, it's absolutely obvious if a band has had a bit of good press you are going to need to get there well in advance especially if the venue is a small one. It's not like Glasto - you can't expect to walk from gig to gig expecting to get in as a God given right. I paid £35 for my ticket and despite missing a whole day (my own fault) it was immensely good value. People need to stop wingeing about the delegates getting priority, they (or their company) pay 3 to 4 times as much as you for it.

Thursday

Dutch Uncles - Are you serious that this lot are getting rave reviews at the moment? It was like a sub standard Franz Ferdinand fronted by Norman Wisdom, possibly the worst band I saw all weekend.
PVT - Good without being staggering, I think they felt a little affronted by the small venue and the lack of time to soundcheck. Regardless, their Radiohead, meets Battles stuff can be excellent.
NLF3 - First good suprise of the festival. Funky, French, instrumental Post Rock. More Explosions In The Sky than Mogwai.
The Soft Moon - Cracking set - Really like this lots self titled debut abum - it translates well live.
Alexander Tucker - I was gutted that he didn't have his cello but his drone set was perfect for a lie down and chill out
Babe Terror - Bit of a strange booking this one as he didn't do much that Tucker hadn't done before him - especially given the nature of the following band I would have expected something a little more lively.
Gang Gang Dance - Undoubtedly the highlight of the festival for me, I really like the new album (thank God as they didn't play much else- apart from the song Florence and The Machine ripped off.) Mindkilla and the staggering Glass Jar were exceptional. I also have a new favourite musical crush - Liz is lush!

Saturday
EMA - Can't help but think of her as an up to date Courtney Love - I really liked her old band (were they called Gowns?) and her solo stuff is fairly similar droney, noisey rock. I can really see why she is getting some attention at the moment.
Guillimots - Pleasant enough.
Braids - Like a female fronted Animal Collective. really lovely vibes. Really glad I made the effort.
Foster The People - Perfectly serviceable non descript indie rock. Good looking lads hence perfect for the NME.
White Denim - Simply one of the best Garage rock bands out there. New material hints at a less frantic direction something like The Stooges, Lynard Skynard and Yes jamming
Drugs - Awful, uninspired Electro. I'm certain this is a joke created as a result of a Ket experiment gone wrong.
Factory Floor - I am yet to see this band in a state that could be described as approaching sober and I supect that is perfect. Loud, nasty, aggressive Factory records inspired tech-noise. A bit of a marmite band I suspect, I can see the Rockists really hating them. Also included my second big musical crush of the weekend - the girl making noises with her guitar (she certianly doesn't play it) gives off an amazing air of 'disdainful cool.'

Friday would have been all about The Phantom Band had I made it.

Really sorry to hear about people having stuff nicked, though if I had to guess where it was I would have plumped for the NME Corn Exchange gigs, they tend to attract the chavvy young pisheads.

One last moan - What is it about the Vaccines? Unless I'm missing something they appear to be dreadfully formulaic (JAMC song, Ramones song, Smiths song - repeat.) I wish the press would give bands a chance to grow and find their own way before smothering them in hype. It does the fans and the band no good whatsoever. They are better than Glasvegas though - I'll give them that.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Had another absolutely top weekend. I don't get people that say they can't get into what they want to. Do some research beforehand, it's absolutely obvious if a band has had a bit of good press you are going to need to get there well in advance especially if the venue is a small one. It's not like Glasto - you can't expect to walk from gig to gig expecting to get in as a God given right. I paid £35 for my ticket and despite missing a whole day (my own fault) it was immensely good value. People need to stop wingeing about the delegates getting priority, they (or their company) pay 3 to 4 times as much as you for it.

Thursday

Dutch Uncles - Are you serious that this lot are getting rave reviews at the moment? It was like a sub standard Franz Ferdinand fronted by Norman Wisdom, possibly the worst band I saw all weekend.
PVT - Good without being staggering, I think they felt a little affronted by the small venue and the lack of time to soundcheck. Regardless, their Radiohead, meets Battles stuff can be excellent.
NLF3 - First good suprise of the festival. Funky, French, instrumental Post Rock. More Explosions In The Sky than Mogwai.
The Soft Moon - Cracking set - Really like this lots self titled debut abum - it translates well live.
Alexander Tucker - I was gutted that he didn't have his cello but his drone set was perfect for a lie down and chill out
Babe Terror - Bit of a strange booking this one as he didn't do much that Tucker hadn't done before him - especially given the nature of the following band I would have expected something a little more lively.
Gang Gang Dance - Undoubtedly the highlight of the festival for me, I really like the new album (thank God as they didn't play much else- apart from the song Florence and The Machine ripped off.) Mindkilla and the staggering Glass Jar were exceptional. I also have a new favourite musical crush - Liz is lush!

Saturday
EMA - Can't help but think of her as an up to date Courtney Love - I really liked her old band (were they called Gowns?) and her solo stuff is fairly similar droney, noisey rock. I can really see why she is getting some attention at the moment.
Guillimots - Pleasant enough.
Braids - Like a female fronted Animal Collective. really lovely vibes. Really glad I made the effort.
Foster The People - Perfectly serviceable non descript indie rock. Good looking lads hence perfect for the NME.
White Denim - Simply one of the best Garage rock bands out there. New material hints at a less frantic direction something like The Stooges, Lynard Skynard and Yes jamming
Drugs - Awful, uninspired Electro. I'm certain this is a joke created as a result of a Ket experiment gone wrong.
Factory Floor - I am yet to see this band in a state that could be described as approaching sober and I supect that is perfect. Loud, nasty, aggressive Factory records inspired tech-noise. A bit of a marmite band I suspect, I can see the Rockists really hating them. Also included my second big musical crush of the weekend - the girl making noises with her guitar (she certianly doesn't play it) gives off an amazing air of 'disdainful cool.'

Friday would have been all about The Phantom Band had I made it.

Really sorry to hear about people having stuff nicked, though if I had to guess where it was I would have plumped for the NME Corn Exchange gigs, they tend to attract the chavvy young pisheads.

One last moan - What is it about the Vaccines? Unless I'm missing something they appear to be dreadfully formulaic (JAMC song, Ramones song, Smiths song - repeat.) I wish the press would give bands a chance to grow and find their own way before smothering them in hype. It does the fans and the band no good whatsoever. They are better than Glasvegas though - I'll give them that.

Man you were busy.

I agree with a lot of this esp people moaning they cannot get into venues. Some people really do believe they can bowl up to a venue a minute before the band comes on and expect to breeze straight in just like a normal gig.

Agree on DRUGS. Agree on EMA.

Disagee on Gang Gang Dance. They did little for me. Slighlty disagree on Vaccines. They are being hyped but I think they are great songwriters if not original (you can add the Mick Jones guitarist clone to your list)....but their audience probably not have heard of JAMC, Smiths etc so it's prob all new to them.

Shame I missed Factory Floor. I had them on my mind but my body was gone by midnight on Sat so called it a day.

 

[spring hall convert]

Man you were busy.

I agree with a lot of this esp people moaning they cannot get into venues. Some people really do believe they can bowl up to a venue a minute before the band comes on and expect to breeze straight in just like a normal gig.

Agree on DRUGS. Agree on EMA.

Disagee on Gang Gang Dance. They did little for me. Slighlty disagree on Vaccines. They are being hyped but I think they are great songwriters if not original (you can add the Mick Jones guitarist clone to your list)....but their audience probably not have heard of JAMC, Smiths etc so it's prob all new to them.

Shame I missed Factory Floor. I had them on my mind but my body was gone by midnight on Sat so called it a day.

You aren't the only one who said that to me on GGD - I've loved them for ages, it was my first time seeing them but even I would admit they started slow. The last 25 minutes were as good as I've seen from any band in a long time.

Yup - I'm happy to accept the Vaccines as a gateway band - they are probably to this year what the Libertines were many moons ago. Far more worthy stuff out there though.

Animal Collective tonight and quite simply I am knackered!

 

[Hotchilidog]

I had an exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable three days and four nights. Kicked it all off with the Alternative GE night at the Albert on wednesday with Sparrow and Clowns. Thursday was Coalition night so I could see Frank Turner, enjoyed Fight Like Apes and Black Lung too. After that caught a visually arresting performance from Sissy & The Blisters and then Warpaint who I actually don't mind even if they do just basically play one song form an hour.

Friday I really enjoyed listening to The jezebels at Above Audio even if I couldn't get into the venue, then headed to Brother & Bones at Komedia. Kicked the evening off with Lucy Swann who was pleasant and easy on the ear. Highlights later in the evening included a hypnotically bleak masterclass in misery by Josh T Pearson and a decent set from Villagers.

A quieter saturday meant I actually got to see The jezebels at Digital along with fellow Aussies Little Red. Evening was spent at the Komedia with the marvellous Lanterns on the Lake and a good show from Guillemots.

All in all a really good festival. Only gripes being the terrible official ap (the unofficial one was excellent) and the high bar prices, I picked a good weekend to stay sober! Definitely getting the early bird ticket for next year.