BIMM’S Brightest At The Great Escape
Hundreds of BIMM students from across our network of eight colleges will descend on The Great Escape in Brighton in May, with a huge line-up of BIMM acts set to bring the noise. Now in its twelfth year, the annual showcase of new music will also see BIMM reprise its role as Lead Educational Partner for the festival, which takes place between Thursday 17th and Saturday 19th May.
This year’s bash will see everyone from NME award-winners and The 1975’s label-mates Pale Waves – formerly of BIMM Manchester – to hotly-tipped BIMM Bristol star Harvey Causon playing the three-day event. Also in attendance will be an army of BIMM volunteers – many of whom have already been working tirelessly behind-the-scenes in a number of exciting roles.
Our team will be present at several of the festival’s 35 venues around Brighton, including this year’s Education Conference (Wednesday 16 May). The panel – which BIMM will host – will see BIMM Music Industry Ambassador Phil Nelson; Mark Irwin, our Dean of Higher Education; Mel Thornton, our Head of Careers & Employability; and a seasoned guest-list of industry insiders who will discuss the future of music in the UK and the role of education. Then it’s onto The Beach to mark the start of The Great Escape, with drinks and performances from our students.
Brighton’s answer to SXSW will even see daily street performance slots around Jubilee Square and New Road, which is just a stone’s throw from the Hope and Ruin pub, and this year’s official BIMM showcase. Last year’s show was a packed affair and we’re expecting this year to be even bigger, with Le Boom (BIMM Dublin), Maddy Storm (BIMM Manchester), Luna Bay (BIMM London), Orchards (BIMM Brighton) and Harvey Causon (BIMM Bristol) all featuring.
Of course, none of this will be possible without the hard work and dedication of our bright and enthusiastic BIMM students. Both undergraduates and alumni will be given a chance to work at all of our TGE events, with delegate passes also up for grabs. These passes will provide our students access to some of the weekend’s many highlights, including Friday’s PRS for Music ‘Live Flash Fund’, where BBC Radio 1 DJ and ex-BIMMers The Xcerts will take part in a live Q&A. From there, it’s onto the Alternative Escape for Saturday’s Alt Show all-dayer.
Taking place at the North Laine Brewhouse, the most talked-about party in Brighton will be run entirely by four BIMM students and Hot Wax – the brainchild of BIMM Music Business student Anton Mocock. The event will host over 14 BIMM bands and artists as well as a selection of BIMM DJs, who will be spinning the best new music this side of Brighton. Those who have been to The Alternative Escape will know this year’s instalment is not to be missed, with a hand-picked line-up that’s sure to attract industry movers & shakers and huge crowds of fans.
The countdown to The Great Escape is on and neither us, nor our students, can wait. It is a fantastic opportunity for all who study at BIMM to gain invaluable experience at one of the biggest events in our industry’s calendar. The festival is also a spectacular platform for any artist, with many well-connected industry insiders present at the three-day event.
