The Great Escape festival returns for another year and if you’re wise, you won’t be going anywhere when Europe’s leading festival for new music hits the city in May. 2010 sees Europe’s leading new music and conference event return for a fifth year for three days when 34 Brighton venues will be playing host to 400 of the world’s best bands including plenty of local talent.

Launchpad For Fame
The geniuses behind The Great Escape festival events certainly have an eye for talent. If you’re a fan of finding out about bands before they hit the big time then this is the festival for you. Whilst not all of the talented acts will go on to achieve worldwide recognition, it’s safe to say that a fair proportion will if previous years are anything to go. Past acts to play The Great Escape include The Ting Tings, Vampire Weekend, Santagold and The Pigeon Detectives.

Live Music From Local Bands
Even bigger and better than previous years, for 2010 The Great Escape festival is bringing a stellar line-up to 34 Brighton venues. Last year, Brighton’s very own The Maccabees celebrated the release of their second album ‘Wall of Arms’ with a set including their latest material plus other homegrown talent Brakes unleashed rock n roll at full tilt to celebrate the release of their third album ‘Touchdown’ and you can expect even bigger and better things for 2010.

400 Bands, 34 Venues
In 2009, Kasabian, Passion Pit, British Sea Power, The Big Pink and Little Boots took to stages across the city and were sell-outs well in advance. White Denim, Chairlift, School of Seven Bells, Boxer Rebellion, Dan Black, Metronomy, Kissy Sell Out, Michachu and the Shapes and Future of the Left also attracted plenty of rave reviews. And that was just for starters. Juliette Lewis rocked up with her new band Juliette and the New Romantiques, Noah and the Whale ramped up the volume, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees cranked up the hooks and bleeps, The Shiny Brights crossed genres, Metric took centre stage, Hockey got deep down and funky, Kate Rogers returned with more hauntingly hypnotic vocals and Rosie and the Goldbug brought glam pop to the city’s shores.

Other Locations
It’s not just venues that are getting involved in The Great Escape festival however. As you’d expect in such a live music loving city, the festival is going to be bending hips at outdoor gigs, after parties, club nights and afternoon shows too.

Levis Ones To Watch
In 2009, Levis took over Audio for the full three days of the festival and flung themselves headlong into The Great Escape spirit and invited revellers to join them for free. Top live acts, storming DJs, barbecues and a surprise show by Baby Shambles caused an all out road bloack. Live acts that took to the stage at Audio every day included Black Lips kick off proceedings on Thursday, Friday was the turn of The Twilight Sad and Hockey wrapped up proceedings on Saturday. Every afternoon they also fired up the barbecue and invited the likes of FrankMusik and Mystery Jets to reveal the contents of their record bags. Special wristbands for these sessions were open to non Great Escape Ticket holders and were available exclusively from the Levis store in Brighton's Churchill Square from 8th May until the last day of the festival on 16th May. Fingers crossed there'll be more of the same for 2010.

An Unconventional Convention
Whilst gigs are a huge part of the music festival, it also offers Europe’s fastest growing music convention. Over 3,000 delegates will be at The Thistle Hotel for educational sessions with artists, high level debates, mid-range panels and speed and targeted networking sessions. Last year's speakers included Jon Savage and Jah Wobble, Paul Morley, Alexis Petridis, Simon Armitage and Colin Greenwood, Will Page, Pete Jenner and John Leckie.

The Great Escape festival takes place at venues across Brighton from 13th May - 15th May 2010.

Early Bird 3 Day Saver Gig Passes are £35 inc VAT and give access to all gigs and events taking place throughout the festival. To purchase tickets please click the Buy Tickets button.