BIMM Great Escape Showcase 2020

3 March, 2020

Each year, as part of our ongoing industry outreach programme, BIMM provides live performance opportunities and behind-the-scenes work experience for students at key music festivals. This May, we continue our relationship with Europe’s premier new music festival – The Great Escape (TGE), with our official BIMM showcase event.

Taking place in sunny Brighton, the Great Escape is a three-day live music event that sees 500 new artists performing across 30+ venues throughout the city. Often described in the industry as the UK’s answer to SXSW, TGE is a fantastic opportunity for performers to gain valuable exposure in front of new audiences and key music industry figures.

It’s not all just about live music though. Each year, delegate-pass holders gain valuable connections and learn about key music industry issues during a series of official panels, debates, keynote interviews, networking sessions and social events as part of the official TGE Convention programme.

BIMM’s annual collaboration with TGE is planned, organised and overseen by Artist Development & Events Manager Suzi Ireland, who spoke about the college’s involvement with the festival:

“We are very much looking forward to continuing our special relationship with the Great Escape this year, where we have a huge amount of artists performing and lots of students working across the festival. This year’s official showcase is looking like our strongest line up yet, and our Alternative Escape all-dayer at North Laine Brewhouse has the best of our more edgy acts coming through. This year in particular shows a greater collaboration between all the BIMM colleges, and we have more artists from across the UK and Ireland than ever before.”

Available to TGE wristband holders only, this year’s exclusive BIMM showcase event is scheduled to take place on May 14 from 12 pm-4 pm at one of Brighton’s most well-known live music staples, the Hope & Ruin, Queens Road. Set in the heart of the city, this 150 capacity venue will play host to five incredible BIMM artists from midday onwards, displaying some of the best up-and-coming talent from across five of our eight campuses.

Full line-up


Arxx

Their latest EP “Wrong Girl, Honey” has accumulated 850,000+ streams on Spotify and were picked up by Spotify editorial playlists, including New MusicFriday, Hot New Bands and The Rock List. They have achieved radio play on Radio 6 and Radio X, along with a loyal backing from BBC Introducing South

INDIGOs

BIMM Bristol’s heavy pop trio blend elements of 90’s alternative rock, art-rock & psychedelia to create a fresh, yet nostalgic sound. Co-fronted, the male-female vocal combo exhibit dreamy, yet slightly eerie harmonies as the band’s focal element. Their debut EP is set to be released through Club AC30 Records.

PACE

This alternative-pop act met at BIMM London in 2015 by singer-songwriter Adam Pavlovcin and pianist and composer Adrián Cermak, the duo later incorporated drummer Chris Eleosand guitarist Lorenzo Calvoto become a four-piece sharing the desire to produce music and performances that raise controversy and provoke thought. Last summer PACE showcased its moody cinematic music and aesthetics at Brighton Pride’s LoveBN1Fest, 2000Trees Festival in Cheltenham, theO2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire and as an opening act for Grace Carter.

Hunger Moon

Natalie Jenkins and James Attwood formed Hunger Moon at BIMM Birmingham in the aptly named creative quarter in 2017. Drawing comparisons to Jeff Buckley and the likes of Joni Mitchell, it is Natalie’s heartfelt, at times tortured vocal that never ceases to capture the hearts of audiences. Married with subtle reverberating guitar parts, the two are able to translate both euphoria and the extreme lows of the subject matter they are singing about.

Toshin

Toshín have played some amazing shows and festivals including BeatYard festival (2019), Electric Picnic (2019), Body & Soul Mainstage (2019), and MusicMakers Festival UK (2019). Their debut EP ‘Get Your Life’ was released in February 2020. The band will be embarking on an Irish Tour to promote the EP in February and March 2020.

Nina Cobham

Brought up on Gregory Porter, Lauryn Hill, Corinne Bailey Rae and Stevie Wonder, this Leeds born writer began writing songs on acoustic guitar, however when she landed in Manchester, she soon came to realise that the underground heartbeat of the city had begun to shift from its faded, lad-band glory days, towards a newer, more 21st century, soulful undertone-pioneered by Children of Zeus, plus the likes of IAMDDB, and a select few others.


 

In addition to this exclusive event, BIMM’s Alternative Escape all-dayer will take place in the spacious North Laine Brewhouse, and will feature a jam-packed roster of musical talent spanning multiple genres. This free-entry event is available to TGE wristband-holders and non-fee paying members of the public alike, offering great exposure for performers.

The Great Escape is known in the industry as the place for young professionals and industry veterans alike to make valuable connections and experience some of the best new bands and artists in the world. We’re counting down the days until the festivities begin!

You can find out more about the Great Escape via their official website.