The Great Escape festival showcases more than 350 new musicians over three days in Brighton, and this year Norway will participate with five singer-songwriters and bands.
Following 2009’s Norwegian extravaganza at the festival, this year’s edition will once again give both seasoned fans and new listeners the opportunity to experience Norway’s blossoming music scene live. There will be a special Ja Ja Ja event on 14 May with three Nordic bands and singer-songwriters playing, Susanne Sundfør will be the Norwegian contribution.
The Great Escape has established itself as the leading event in Europe for showcasing new talent from around the world, aimed at 'export ready' bands and industry professionals. TGE lasts for three days and nights with a total attendance of over 15,000 people at 34 different venues.
There will also be a variety of industry talks, panel debates and targeted networking sessions, and as many as ten companies from the Norwegian music industry will participate. After last year's performance at TGE, Norwegian Casiokids got nine new gigs, and Bergen-based The New Wine was recognised as one of the best bands at the festival.
Here is an overview of Norwegian bands and musicians playing at TGE:
Simon Says No's raw sound recalls the glory days of Seattle grunge and the spirit of ‘77 in London and their upcoming debut EP Ahoi de Angst is both familiar and new, it pushes buttons and it gives you that feeling that you had the first time you disobeyed your parents.
Simon Says No
Prince Albert, 13 May at 1pm
The Basement, 13 May at 8.30pm
For more information about Simon Says No http://www.myspace.com/nosayssimon
After the success of her first album The Passenger, Ingrid Olava returns with her second studio album The Guest. Her live set has also become renowned for her beautiful covers of Bob Dylan’s It's alright ma (I'm only Bleeding) and Kokkes Here comes the winter.
Ingrid Olava
Prince Albert, 13 May at 7.45pm
Above Audio, 14 May at 7.45pm
For more information about Ingrid Olava http://www.myspace.com/ingridolava
Raised on an eclectic diet of Sonic Youth and The Beatles, Megaphonic Thrift powers through their brilliantly written songs, ripping them apart with an onslaught of distorted noise.
Megaphonic Thrift
Revenge (1st Floor), 13 May at 9.45pm
Queens Hotel, 14 may at 3pm
For more information about Megaphonic Thrift http://www.myspace.com/megaphonicthrift
Taking influence from traditional European folk, these four girls create a theatrical, mesmerizing show. Katzenjammer’s musical underground cultus is conjured up through instruments like the accordian, mandolin, guitar, piano, balaika bass, xylophone, trumpet, kazoo, melodica, drums and banjo just to name a few.
Katzenjammer
The Basement, 14 May at 7.45pm
Coalition, 15 May at 7.30pm
For more information about Katzenjammer http://www.myspace.com/katzenjammerne
Susanne Sundfør's hauntly stunning voice will stop you and your heartbeat in their tracks. Using an organ to highlight the delicate range in her voice, both of which will be complimented dearly by the acoustics in The Unitarian Church, you will feel time slow to a standstill and all be at peace.
Susanne Sundfør
Queens Hotel, 14 may at 8.30pm (Ja Ja Ja)
Unitarian Church, 14 May at 10pm
For more information about Susanne Sundfør http://www.myspace.com/susannesundfoer
For tickets and more info about the festival, click here.