About The Great Escape
The Great Escape is a four-day festival of new music held across Brighton every May. It was founded in 2006, is run by MAMA Festivals, and is often compared to South by Southwest. Each year around 450 to 500 emerging artists from many genres play showcases in more than 30 venues around the city, from clubs and pubs to churches and theatres. A music industry conference runs alongside the festival and draws over 4,000 delegates from live music, recording and digital media.
The festival has faced controversy. In 2024 more than half the line-up signed an open letter asking organisers to drop Barclaycard as a sponsor over its links to arms supplies to the Israeli military. Over 160 acts pulled out in protest, and the opening showcase was cancelled.
The 2026 festival ran from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 May. The 2027 edition, its 18th, runs from Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 May, and festival tickets are on general sale through Live Nation. No acts had been announced as of October 2026.
Several ticket types are available. A four-day festival ticket gives access to all core showcases from Wednesday to Saturday with one wristband, subject to venue capacity. Single-day tickets for 2027 go on sale in March 2027, and two-day Friday and Saturday tickets are also offered. Spotlight Shows are bigger headline performances at larger venues and are ticketed separately. The Alternative Escape adds free showcases around Brighton with no festival ticket needed. A Full Delegate Pass covers the conference from Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 May, with priority access to showcases, fast-track entry to one show a day and networking events. A Next Gen day ticket on the Friday is aimed at people starting out in the industry.
E-tickets must be exchanged for a wristband before entering any venue, and entry depends on each venue's capacity. Organisers advise arriving early for the most popular acts and trying another venue if one is full. Festival venues are 18+, while Spotlight Shows at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall are 14+. All tickets are non-refundable, but e-tickets can be passed on to someone else.
Image credits
- Logo: The Great Escape (Live Nation / MAMA Festivals), Official logo from the festival's own website (logo source 3). Trademark of The Great Escape (Live Nation / MAMA Festivals); no licence wording on the page, use for identification only. · source
Photos may be resized or cropped. Logos belong to their festivals.
Frequently asked
When is The Great Escape 2027?
Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 May 2027, in venues across Brighton.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. Festival venues are 18+. Spotlight Shows at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall are 14+.
Can I buy a day ticket?
Yes. Single-day tickets for 2027 go on sale in March 2027.
What does a delegate pass include?
Conference sessions from 12 to 14 May, networking events and priority access to the festival showcases.
Can I get a refund?
No. Tickets are non-refundable, but e-tickets can be passed on to another person.
Contact the festival
Last verified 2026-10-20. Dates, prices and lineups change — always confirm on the official festival site before booking.