Scottish showcase bands for Great Escape revealed

The Great Escape, Brighton’s lively music bonanza focused on new talent, will this year showcase some of Scotland’s most exciting emerging bands and artists. Spread over two concerts, eight Scottish acts will travel south to the seaside town to perform.

The showcases demonstrates a diverse collection of styles, taking in pop, indie, rock, grime and hip-hop. Included in the eclectic lineup is Dundee's pop revolutionary Be Charlotte, Paisley’s blistering grime MC Shogun and all female Glasgow four-piece TeenCanteen. The selection, supported by Creative Scotland, is rounded out by Emme Woods, the latest project from Clackmannanshire singer-songwriter Morgan Woods; Wishaw sibling duo Saint PHNX; Domino-signed indie pop quartet Spinning Coin; Motherwell’s The LaFontaines, with their unique blend of hip-hop, rock and pop; and the sugar-pop harmonies of Glaswegian surf-rock trio The Van T’s.

Alan Morrison, head of music at Creative Scotland, had this to say about these Scottish acts being given a platform at the Brighton festival, which attracts over 3,500 key industry figures each year on the hunt for new talent, including high-profile festivals looking to book acts, agents, label executives, promoters, and media. “Every May, the eyes and ears of the music industry turn towards Brighton,” says Morrison, “where the festival has become a fantastic springboard to launch emerging talent into European territories and beyond. The Scottish acts on the bill are at the top end of 2017’s ones-to-watch lists and cover an impressive range of styles and genres.”

The Showcasing Scotland concerts, hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway, will take place on Thursday 18 May and Friday 19 May in Brighton. The stage lineups are below:

Thu 18 May
12.30pm: Emme Woods
1.30pm: The LaFontaines
2.30pm: The Van T’s
3.30pm: Be Charlotte

Fri 19 May
12.15pm: TeenCanteen
1.15pm: Saint PHNX
2.15pm: Shogun
3.15pm: Spinning Coin