The most obvious change, was a tweak to the band’s dynamic. The band was formed by Kitty A Austen and Jon James Tufnell. Kitty has always had a striking stage presence but early gigs felt like the Kitty and Jon band. Tonight it seemed clear they have taken a decision that she was the front person. This backs up a lot of the pre-album imagery with Kitty front and centre. While I can understand why, I did like when they shared vocals. With Kitty front and centre, she spent less time on guitar and more time performing, something she excels at. So the change does work.

The new material seems to have shifted away from the heavy blues rock of ‘Welcome to Silvertown’ to a more amped up, metallic sound which suited their live performances. For me, I preferred their earlier sound. But in the end it doesn’t overly mater. Saint Agnes has always been about their live performances and this one was just as exhilarating.

For the last few years I’ve started my TGE on the Wednesday. It means I can start at midday on the Thursday and there’s usually some music on in Brighton the night before anyway. This year as no different. Well I say no different, I actually mean sadly, was different.

Just before Christmas, one of my favourite Brighton venues, Sticky Mike’s announced it was closing. This is my usual Wednesday night and end of festival hang-out. There was some good news, when they announced that they would be using the East Street Tap as their new venue, one of my favourite pubs in Brighton. It turned out to be bad news as the regular student crowd who seemed to occupy upstairs at Sticky Mike’s have migrated to the much smaller East Street Tap and throughout the weekend I struggled to get in. The nearest was stranding on the stairs to the upstairs venue/

Losing Sticky Mike’s is a sad loss.

Despite its closure. There was still some things happening on the Wednesday with some bands playing the main festival hub, some free events at the Green Door Store and the Prince Albert

Unlike last year. I didn’t have a photo pass. Okay, I’m not shooting for a magazine or online website. But I’m the sort of person they should be giving a pass to. I’m not overly bothered by the big acts. I’m happy to photograph the next generation and throughout the weekend, the venues I was in, were devoid of official photographers unless there was ‘hype’ behind the band. What’s the point of having the same acts photographed by a few dozen photographers? Because of this, I left most of my kit at home and just took a few primes and a fallback camera in case security were being sniffy.

The festival itself kicked off in fine style with Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird. An Aussie band who played a nice slice of infectious pop-indie. They even made a ‘keytar’ sound good.

Deciding on getting in an early banker and positioning myself for the walk up to Horatios, I headed down to see the amazing playing of Gwenifer Raymond. If you haven’t seen there. She’s pretty amazing on the guitar and banjo.

The Russians had invaded Horatios on the pier and I headed up to hear Lucidvox, a band that had played London earlier in the week with positive reviews. Sadly, there were sound issues that effected the two bands I saw.  

After a few misses, I decided to see one of my favourite live bands, Avalanche Party. Playing the tiny Black Lion pub as part of the Alternative Escape, they still managed to put on an excellent show that was appreciated by the packed pub.

Bumping into some friends, they had mentioned that Giungla had impressed in the afternoon. So I headed into the sea wall to catch her. I have to say I was really disappointed.

Venues seemed to be busier this year. By the middle of the first day it was already proving to be difficult to move around. Venues, I usually found easy to get into were often full, so I headed to see the Murder Capital early and had caught, Jockstrap. They are members of Black Country New Road but this offshoot band, really didn’t work for me.

There was a lot of hype around the Murder Capital. They had been heavily supported by Steve Lamacq and were coming through on the tails of the Idles and Fontaines D.C. What surprised me the most though, was how different the band are to those two bands. Fontaines have the poetry. Idles have the politics. The Murder Capital are your dark emotions. Every song brooded with an intense emotional centre and was something I was completely unprepared for. Easily the highlight of the festival.

After the emotion of the Murder Capital I decided to take it easy and find a seated venue and caught a band called MarthaGunn. They were okay. Almost an Americana twinge to their indie.

Day 2 started with a highlight. Dry Cleaning are one of my favourite bands at the moment. They mix interesting stories with some brilliant windy guitars.

After a few okay bands, one of the great things about TGE happened. I stumbled upon a band I didn’t know were playing. Walking past the Hope and Ruin, I could hear the brilliant sound of Snapped Ankles. It was one in one out, but the windows were open so I stood and watched and they came over to see me!

I had heard good things about the Petrol Girls. A punk band focused on feminist issues. Not sure I’m the core market but the post punk word at the moment seems to be missing female bands. However, while they put on a good performance, it was all too shouty shouty, rather than shouty singing, or shouty talking, as is the norm with post-punk. They are definitely more of a punk band and they didn’t work for me.

The other thing I like with TGE (when the weather is good) is how they give busking spaces to local artists if you have time, it’s always worth stopping and listening.

Often at this year’s TGE, I went for safe bands who I’d seen before. Saint Agnes are one of those safe bands. They always put in a brilliant performance. They were playing in the alt-Escape and as expected they were great.

Venues were getting busy and I decided to opt out of queuing and headed down see another set from Gwenifer Raymond in a seated venue. (I must be getting old).

As I was chatting to a friend, I stayed on for the next band, Ferris and Sylvester who played blues rock. At times it was a bit saccharine but I enjoyed the set.

It was getting late and Black Honey were playing a very late set at the Haunt after most places had closed. I thought it would probably be a complete waste queuing. Luckily I got in to catch the last few songs and them having a complete ball playing their home town.

Day 3 started with another banker. I’m a big fan of John J Presley’s blues. He’s got such an expressive voice and distinctive guitar. It was also good to see him reverting back to having a band as they add an extra depth to his music.

Queuing was much more an issue this year. You had to get there early for the hyped bands and there was no bigger hyped band this year than Black Midi. As The Ninth Wave were playing before hand, I queued up and caught both bands play good sets.

Wanting to take it easier, I headed back to the alt-Escape and grabbed a pint and the opportunity to catch Dutch Mustard who I’ve caught in London a few times

After heading out and finding all the nearby venues full, I returned to the Black Lion and was fortunate to catch another enjoyable performance from the Pagans SOH. They mixed rap, funk and rock in a very enjoyable way with a charismatic lead singer.

After the Pagans I bounced around with no one in particular standing out.

I have to admit. I was a bit more knackered at this festival than usual. I was also getting sick of queuing. As I’d hit SXSW in a big way and seen lots of new music. I decided to take it easy and stick to a venue. The Green Door Store seemed to have the best lineup with Big Joannie, Porridge Radio, and Peggy Sue, all of whom I’ve seen before. They were all good and Porridge Radio, played the best set I’ve seen from them. But it was Stonefield, a group of sisters who I assume grew up in a house with only Paranoid by Black Sabbath to listen to, who really impressed.

Sadly after the Green Door Store finished their programme, it wasn’t possible for my traditional trip to Sticky Mikes to catch their late-night off-festival bands and it was time to grab a few pints before calling it a relatively early night. Losing Sticky Mikes is definitely a loss to Brighton.

All in all. Another good TGE. It’s disappointing that the venues continue to spread out with what seemed like an increase queue time at each and the risk of walking half way across town to find TGE’s app’s busy status hadn’t been updated. Sadly, the ability to move around is reducing. Hopefully, next year they can rebalance the mix of venues. But I will be back again next year.

First up was Sunlight Service Group playing fun psychedelic music. Unfortunately I arrived late and only caught the tail end of their set, which is a pity. I really liked what I heard.

Next up were Muertos

Mystified put in another energetic set

Broken Soundtracks were next but didn’t do much for me

The Sly Persuaders were enjoyable

Closing the evening for me were the ever excellent Saint Agnes who put in another of their trademark shows.

First up Mystified, a band I’ve been hearing good things about. They have a great stage presence and a pretty heavy rock sound. They were good but I was expecting better. If I’d seen them without the recommendations I think I would have been more impressed. I’d be happy to see them again if they’re supporting somebody, but there I didn’t feel there was enough in their music to make me feel like I need to hear them multiple times.

Next up where for me the main act, Saint Agnes. Last year I found they where a band that got better and better with each gig as they honed their set. Now, they’ve perfected it, they’re a fantastic live band well worth catching.

Closing the evening were Cold In Berlin. I’d seen the. About five years ago but honestly couldn’t remember much about them. They have a heavy goth rock sound. The lead singer holding it together making it interesting through her expressive performance.

Day 0

Last year I travelled down to the TGE on the Thursday and by the time I’d checked into the hotel, much of the Thursday afternoon action had finished. So this year, I thought I’d head down a day early and see if anything was happening pre-festival.

Luckily there was a pretty decent gig with Queen Kwong playing playing at Sticky Mike’s. First up was Yonaka. I liked the singer’s voice. But I wouldn’t go out of my way to catch them again. Next up were Gloo who did nothing for me. Finally Queen Kwong who put in a pretty enthusiastic performance with sone pretty decent music. After Queen Kwong. I decided to call it a day to save my energies for the rest of the weekend

Day 1

I used to be lucky enough for the Coffeehouse Sessions to play my Students’ Union at lunchtimes. They put on acoustic sessions with a good mix of bands and singer songwriters. Unfortunately, the students at my University don’t seem to like live music (more interested in going to ‘gigs’ by people who sing over backing tracks). So the turnout was abysmal. Basically only me and whatever work colleagues I could pursuade to come along. So this year they had dropped my Uni from the circuit. But they were providing programming for the Fishpool as part of the alternative escape. As they appeared to be the first venue out of the blocks, I dropped by to see what they were up to.

The first band they had on were a 60s style retro band (if a music style is still good, why stop playing it?). I think they were called the Waletones. I thought they were pleasant enough. I stayed for a few songs then decided to ‘browse’.

Next up was Flying Colours at Komedia. I’d heard they were good. By the time I got there the place was already rammed and they were well into their set. They sounded good. Again I stayed for a few songs before heading off again.

Next up was Model Aeroplanes. They didn’t really work for me.

Heading down to the the Hope and Ruin, a venue that’s usually too busy in the evenings to even bother with, I caught Liberto Wolf. I quiet liked them. I stayed for all of their set.

But the afternoon was really about seeing Aldous Harding again. I’d been intrigued by her earlier in the week (and concerned about her wellbeing). So I was pleased to see her looking well and seemingly less stressed than earlier in the week when she was clearly suffering from terrible jet lag. This afternoon’s session was again, simply wondrous. She has a very distinctive and haunting voice. There’s something about her voice that keeps me enthralled.

With the afternoon’s official programme winding down, I once again dropped by the Fishpool to catch some Coffeehouse Sessions. A London band called the Carnabys. They seemed like a pretty fun and energetic rock and roll band. They weren’t necessarily somebody I’d want to listen to. But they put on a good show.

One thing I like about the Great Escape is the mixture of venues. (Although I don’t like how spread out they are!). One of the venues I like because of it’s oddness is the (currently) called the Hub. It’s one of the small venues in the arches of the sea wall. It’s a tiny tunnel with a stage at the end. If you’re at the back you simply can’t see anything. But if you catch the right band, it has a great atmosphere. I started the evening by bouncing around the sea wall venues watching random bands.

K.I.D were first up who were pleasant enough.

But the next band, Jpnsgrls, surprised me. Despite it only being 6 in the evening, they were ‘full on’. The lead singer was jumping around and bouncing off the walls and there was even crowd surfing! Not bad for 6pm. Their performance was good enough to warrant a purchase of the album.

As the Arch was the nearest venue, I dropped by. A band called STAL were playing. I left after one song. They really didn’t appeal to me.

STAL

I’d already decided that most of the evening was going to be about the Green Door Store, where Black Honey and PINS were playing, two of my ‘must see’ bands. So I decided to head up early so that I’d be guaranteed entry. With the Prince Albert opposite I dropped by for their first band of the evening, Ward Thomas. I should have read up on them. Country. Need I say more. Next band…

For most of the rest of the evening, I stayed at the Green Door Store. Once you’re in the stage area, it’s a nice little venue. But it’s layout is poor with a tiny door leading from the bar area into the venue making it really difficult getting in and out.

Two bands played before Black Honey. Dark Moon were up first. I wasn’t taken by them. They had a big gong, yet didn’t really use it. All Tvvins were proficient, but despite all their kit, managed to produce some rather bland music.

At last year’s Great Escape, I’d stumbled upon a local Brighton band, Kill Moon, who stepped into fill a vacant slot in the Alternative Great Escape. They were playing a tiny little venue with a small audience but I thought they were excellent, in part due to the performance by their lead singer. Unfortunately, they split soon afterwards. However, some of the band went on to form a new band called Black Honey. So I was interested in catching one of their performances.

Being a local Brighton band, both the band and the audience were up for the gig. So there was a great atmosphere. It helps that the lead singer puts in a full-on gutsy swaggering performance. Singing and squealing her way through indie with a popularist sound. In some ways there’s some similarity between them and Wolf Alice. Both put on excellent live shows. Definitely worth watching.

The final band at this venue were PINS. I’ve seen them before. As before, this was a solid performance. The material from the new album sounding great. The boys from Drendge were also there supporting their friends.

The Drendge boys

With the programme starting to wind down. On my way back into the centre of town to grab some late night drinks, I dropped by Komedia to see who was still playing. I think it was a band called Mt. Wolf. I stayed for a few songs, but there wasn’t enough in their performance to keep me from grabbing a few pints.

Day 2

Unlike a rather decent Day 1, Day 2 proved to be a less successful day. Boro were in the play-off semi finals and football takes priority over music. So I knew I’d be dropping out of the music for a few hours in the evening. Unfortunately, this was when some of the bands I wanted to watch were playing. I also made an ill-fated decision to traipse up to the Green Door Store to catch a band who’d who was no longer playing.

I managed to grab some music though. In the afternoon, Forever Pavot, Spring King and Loris didn’t really do much for me. But I was rather bewitched by the performance of the lead singer of Fable. The Xcerts also sounded pretty good. But I only caught the tail end of their last song. So should reserve judgement.

Forever Pavot

Spring King

Loris

Fable

Fable

The evening was about football. But I wanted to try and catch at least some of Bully’s set who’d been recommended to me. They sound pretty good as did The Garden who played before them. After the football, everywhere seemed to be busy. So I bounced around the a few of the quieter venues before finished the evening with a ‘banker’, Shopping, who played a great bouncy set to finish off my evening.

The Garden

Bully

Lion Babe – Amazing hair!

Saskwatch – their set grew on me. Wasn’t sure I’d like them, but enjoyed every song.

Shopping – great, fun, bouncy set.

Day 3

I had quiet a lot of bands I’d like to see on Day 3. Some though were playing the more popular venues and I don’t think it’s worth queuing. Top of my ‘probably won’t see list’ was the Slaves who I’ve seen before but wanted to catch again. But they were playing the Corn Exchange which always seems to have long queues outside. So I planned a day that would leave me near the venue around the time they were playing.

Starting the day early, I managed to catch a set from Pinkshinyultrablast. It was kind of spoilt by technical issues. But from what I saw, they’re worth catching in a better surrounding. I also caught the Crows play an energetic early afternoon set to a fairly empty room. But you’ve got to hand it to bands who try and put on a show, no matter how big the audience is. I also managed to catch Tuff Love, a band I seem to keep missing. Although the venue wasn’t ideal. Again, there was enough in their performance to merit further investigations.

Pinkshinyultrablast

The Crows

The Crows

Lawson

Zun Zun Egui – caught the tail end of what sounded like a fun filled set

Tuff Love

One band that I’d been looking forward to catching after being enthralled by their excellent album, was Virginia wing. Unfortunately, this band pissed me off. The venue was running late because they kept faffing around setting up. When will bands learn that if you’re carrying around a big box of cables, you’ve got too much stuff on stage.

However, I can take late running sound checks. What I can’t abide is the band when asked if they were ready to go on (20 minutes late), they said no, they needed a five minute ‘break’ to get a drink. FFS, you’re playing a multi-venue festival. There’s other bands to see. So in the end, all I heard from Virginia Wing was their sound check. My original plan was to catch 15 minutes of their on-time set and then head off to try and catch the Slaves. So with the Slaves starting in 10 minutes, I decided Virginia Wing had been given enough opportunity to play to me and headed off. If this is the band’s attitude, in future, I’m not going out of my way to pay to see any of their performances.

Unfortunately, the delays meant that the Corn Exchange was at capacity. So I headed down to the sea wall venues catching set from an okay Menace Beach, a thunderous an enjoyable set from Picturebooks at the Hub and Spector who played a lot of new material rather meant their set was a bit more subdued than I expected. To round off the festival, I kept it safe and headed to see Saint Agnes play probably the best set I’ve seen from them. They’re really starting to impress me. They just seem to be getting stronger and strong with every gig.

The Dunwells playing an acoustic show in the museum

Menace Beach

The Picturebooks

Theo Verney

Spector

Saint Agnes

So that was it. Three days of music. Some good, some bad, some brilliant. But all in all, for £45, it’s a pretty decent little festival

Both bands have impressed in the past. But Saint Agnes were easily the better band tonight. In fact, I’d go so far as to say the Bohicas were mainly rubbish. They’ve got a small core of high intensity songs that that they play really well. But tonight, with a longer set. Their other material wasn’t very good. The contrast between these new songs and the old tracks was astonishing. They were just so bland. On tonight’s evidence, I don’t think I’ll be buying their album. Really disappointing.

Saint Agnes

Saint Agnes

Saint Agnes

Bohicas

Bohicas

Bohicas

Bohicas

First up were Psyence, a 70s heavy psych band. Not a bad thing in my book and they were pretty good. They clearly had a strong following from the numbers here just to see this band. But it was easy to see why.

Next up were Tusks. They seemed to be influenced by 90s Sub Pop. They had some interesting material, but nothing quite grabbed me.

Last up were Saint Agnes, a band featuring the keyboard player out of Lula Colt. They also a share Lola Colt’s ‘western’ sound. Though their sound is more ‘spaghetti western-rock’ sound, while Lola Colt’s got a ‘desert western-rock’ sound. (Well that last sentence makes perfect sense to me). I was really impressed by them. They have some good material and they put on a good show. Definitely a band I’ll try and catch again.