10 Artists to Look Out for at The Great Escape Festival 2024

Next week, Brighton will once again transform into a buzzy hotbed of talent for the annual Great Escape Festival.

Sprawling across the city's venues both night and day, it's the place to be if you want to catch the best up-and-coming artists from the UK and beyond performing live before they hit the big time.

With over 500 emerging acts playing across 30+ stages, we've done the hard work and combed through the line-up to select the 10 acts you won't want to miss.

Co-signed by Jai Paul as one of his Paul Institute founding artists, London's Fabiana Palladino has built an incredible buzz, and has just released her eponymous debut album on XL. Having worked as an in-demand session and tour musician for the likes of SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, and Paul himself, this will be a rare chance to catch Palladino performing her own music - shadowy, classicist R&B-leaning pop.

When: Thursday, 9:15pm

Where: Komedia Basement

Political Irish rap trio Kneecap are set to be one of the most-hyped shows at this year's Great Escape. Following their signing to the legendary Heavenly label and a run of sold-out shows across London, Dublin and New York, they've worked with Toddla T and Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten. Expect a relentless energy on stage, addictive, bouncing basslines and long queues out the door. But worry not, Kneecap are playing two sets, so hopefully you can catch them at least once, if not twice...

When: 10:30pm Friday, 3:30pm Saturday

Where: Chalk, Horatios

Electropop artist/producer Ro Nova combines synths with ethereal vocals to blend pop worlds. She's been co-signed by the likes of Fred Again.. and Kamille, and been in sessions with MNEK, Raye and Toddla T. Recently, she collaborated with Farrah on the single 'Better'. This is sure to be a good one.

When: Saturday, 1:15pm

Where: Three Wise Cats

Mixing pop, hyperpop and R&B, vi0let produces her own music, pulling on her life experiences to write songs with themes across the spectrum of human emotion: self-empowerment, confidence and vulnerability. Make sure you can say you saw vi0let before she blew up - get down to her show.

When: 915pm, Saturday

Where: Brighthelm

If last year's sets were anything to go by, alt-rap trio Frozemode are sure to put on one hell of a show. Expect earthquake-inducing energy, hard-hitting bars, playful and inventive melodies and a smorgasbord of blended genres: punk, rap, rock and hip-hop. Get ready to mosh.

When: 7:30pm, Saturday

Where: TGE Beach - The Deep End

Hailing from the outskirts of Manchester, DellaXOZ fuses the sounds of her Congalese heritage with the indie rock influences of her city. Her music captures the fleeting emotions and multi-dimensionality of the teenage experience, and she never shies away from tackling world issues. 

When: 2:30pm Thursday, 2:30pm Friday, 10:15pm Friday

Where: Charles Street Tap, Fabrica, Komedia Studio

For fans of Fred again.. comes Swimming Paul, the French DJ-producer from Paris whose euphoric electronic tracks have received support from Pete Tong, Danny Howard, and Jess Iszatt. Fittingly, he's playing a club venue at midnight. Let loose under the strobes at this one.

When: 12am, Friday

Where: The Arch

Malaysian, Brighton-based artist Kaisha delivers modern R&B, neo-soul, jazz-esque breakdowns and pop grooves. Her recent EP ‘Nine Yards’ examines modern relationships, self-discovery, and anxiety. Expect buttery vocals and relatable lyrics.

When: 1:30pm Thursday

Where: TGE Beach - Pirate Studios Stage

Coupdekat's upbeat, drum 'n' bass-driven pop is infectiously danceable and youthful. Kat is the co-founder female and non-binary artist collective LOUD LDN, which includes artists like Issey Cross, Charlotte Plank and Piri. Some special guests might make their way on to the stage...

When: 7:30pm, Thursday

Where: Players

California-hailing artist King Isis' sound ranges from rock and R&B to jazz and blues, traversing soul-baring topics around pain, growth, and transformation. They are signed to The 1975's Dirty Hit, a cult label known for turning out the next generation of talent. See King Isis' star power first hand.

When: 10:15pm Thursday, 12:30pm Friday

Where: Horatios, Charles Street Tap

Read next: The Great Escape Announces Full 2024 Festival Schedule