The Great Escape Unveils 2027 ‘First Fifty’ Launch Lineup Featuring Bathing Suits and More

The Great Escape has revealed the ‘First Fifty’ program, a lineup of launch shows for its 2027 edition featuring Bathing Suits, Xanadu, Chest., Jordan Joy, and others.

The shows precede the popular UK festival’s return to Brighton in May, running from the 12th to the 15th. The event will feature over 450 emerging artists and rising talent across more than 35 walkable venues, alongside the TGE music industry conference.

To mark the upcoming edition, organisers have announced the ‘First Fifty’ series, with seven East London venues hosting intimate performances from what they call “some of the most exciting emerging music talent from the UK and beyond”.

Scheduled as a one-night celebration of new sounds, the venues are scattered across Hackney, with 20 artists already confirmed to perform across indie, alternative, punk, pop, and electronic genres.

On Thursday, November 12, Oslo partners with Ticketmaster New Music to host Esmeralda Road, Xanadu, Pack of Animals, and Jordan Joy.

At the Moth Club, DIY Neu Nights presents Compost Compost Compost, Dumbhead, and Die Twice, while at the Shacklewell Arms, So Young hosts State of Grace, Spanish Horses, and Angelface.

Elsewhere, Dork presents Bathing Suits, chest., and Shrink at the Sebright Arms, while Clash hosts Half Star, Tesni, and Casual Smart at Folklore.

At Paper Dress Vintage, BBC Introducing showcases simon. a, J Casa, and Chiderah, while Ones to Watch presents Aubory Bugg, Gianna, and Abbie Gordon at The Victoria.

Tickets start from £7.50.

The Great Escape ‘First Fifty’ shows in London on November 12 are:

Ticketmaster New Music present (at Oslo)
Esmeralda Road
Xanadu
Pack of Animals
Jordan Joy

DIY Neu Nights present (at Moth Club)
Compost Compost Compost
Dumbhead
Die Twice

So Young present (at The Shacklewell Arms)
State of Grace
Spanish Horses
Angelface

Dork present (at Sebright Arms)
Bathing Suits
Chest.
Shrink

Clash present (at Folklore)
Half Star
Tesni
Casual Smart

BBC Introducing present (at Paper Dress Vintage)
simon. a
J Casa
Chiderah

Ones to Watch present (at The Victoria)
Aubory Bugg
Gianna
Abbie Gordon

Earlier this year, Bathing Suits won the festival’s prestigious Steve Strange Award, which honors one artist each year for making a standout impact, in memory of the late music agent and live music champion.

The win came with £5,000 in career support, joining previous winners Zetra, AGGRASOPPAR, and Audio Books.

They were voted for by festival delegates after performing at this year’s event, which ran from May 13 to 16 and drew over 20,000 attendees.

NME writers, who attended the 2026 edition, named Bathing Suits among the top sets of the event, alongside Angine de Poitrine and Gurriers.

“Late night is when The Great Escape really comes alive,” the entry reads. “Bathing Suits are perfectly suited to that environment, with their electro-punk set encouraging the crowd to let loose.”

The 2026 edition marked the festival’s 20th anniversary, with NME presenting two stages: a packed opening night at The Deep End and a stacked NME Stage at The Old Market on Friday.

Further details about the 2027 edition will be announced in due course.

Since their standout performance, Bathing Suits have also collaborated with Mandy, Indiana’s Valentine Caulfield on a new version of ‘I Can Be A Freak’.

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