Dutch artists performing at The Great Escape 2025
- Dutch Music Export
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
From Wednesday the 14th till Saturday the 17th The Great Escape Festival/Conference will be taking place in Brighton, UK.
The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 450 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite artist and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages.
TGE is also attended by the music industry who are on the hunt for the next big thing. They run a conference alongside the gigs featuring insightful panels, topical debates, keynote speeches and networking opportunities in abundance.
The Alternative Escape, the Spotlight Shows, secret gigs, club nights and spontaneous collaborations all add to the festivities and make this weekend in Brighton one not to miss.
WHO IS PERFORMING?
SON MIEUX
Paganini Ballroom (The Old Ship)
Fri 16 MAY | 3:30pm
The Hope and Ruin
Fri 16 MAY | 10:45pm
Hailing from The Hague, Netherlands, Son Mieux is a seven-piece powerhouse that has taken the European music scene by storm. Led by the charismatic Camiel Meiresonne, this dynamic ensemble crafts an irresistible sonic tapestry that seamlessly weaves danceable rhythms with poignant, story-driven lyrics. They have produced two acclaimed albums and hits like “Tonight” and “Multicolor,” achieving platinum status in the Netherlands. Their collaboration with Nile Rodgers on “This Is The Moment” in 2024 further solidified their innovative reputation.
Their electrifying live performances have become their signature strength, transforming every concert into an unforgettable celebration. Son Mieux has conquered the main stages of premier Dutch festivals and left an undeniable mark on the European festival circuit. Beyond the festival scene, Son Mieux has embarked on a series of headline tours, selling out venues across Europe’s cultural capitals, including London, Berlin, Hamburg, and Zurich.
BABY BERSERK
Paganini Ballroom (The Old Ship)
Fri 16 MAY | 2:30pm
Daltons
Sat 17 MAY | 8:15pm
Baby Berserk was born in Amsterdam and founded by Mano Hollestelle, Eva Wijnbergen and Lieselot Elzinga. Known for their seamless blend of music and fashion, Baby Berserk captures the essence of contemporary nightlife, balancing the raw energy of a live band with the infectious pulse of club music. Their latest work offers a refreshing and invigorating boost for the mind, body, and soul.
“Slightly Hysterical Girls With Pearls” dives headfirst into the vibrant chaos of modern culture. It’s an album that challenges the status quo, delivering tracks that range from the hypnotic allure of media-fueled entertainment to the fierce battle cries for equal rights and personal freedom. Each song is a journey through a neon-lit world where anticipation builds, emotions run high, and self-expression reigns supreme.
THE KLITTENS
Horatios
Thu 15 MAY | 10:20pm
Paganini Ballroom (The Old Ship)
Fri 16 MAY | 1:30pm
Since forming in 2018, The Klittens have risen from Amsterdam’s underground indie scene to play acclaimed stages. Fusing catchy pop, fuzz, and dark post-punk, they’ve developed a unique and twisted sound.
What started as a creative and political outlet became a musical mission for the band. Their DIY ethos—handling everything from songwriting to booking—is what makes The Klittens a true misfit collective. The band consists of Yaël Dekker (vocals), Winnie Conradi (guitar), Katja Kahana (guitar), Marrit Meinema (bass, not in press photo), and Laurie Zantinge (drums).
Their latest EP Butter (released March 8, 2024) has gained attention from magazines like So Young, NME, La Blogotheque, and Under The Radar, and received airplay on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6. The EP follows their 2022 debut Citrus, which led to press and shows across the Netherlands, UK, and Europe. In January, The Klittens toured the UK for Independent Venue Week with Personal Trainer and Real Farmer, and now return.
ROBIN KESTER
Paganini Ballroom (The Old Ship)
Fri 16 MAY | 12:30pm
Komedia Studio
Sat 17 MAY | 7:15pm
Somewhere between pop, electronic music and psychedelic rock, we find the Dutch artist, composer and producer Robin Kester and her totally adventurous music. Robin Kester has been the subject of numerous comparisons, from Portishead and Broadcast to Julia Holter. Although operating on a comparable wavelength of sound, Robin Kester is a distinctive voice that has come into its own. Her debut album, Honeycomb Shades, caused a sensation. It was critically acclaimed and awarded the prize for best Dutch album of the year by the prestigious national newspapers NRC and Volkskrant.
LIONSTORM
Chalk
Sat 17 MAY | 7:15pm
LIONSTORM is the Netherlands’ first explicitly queer music duo consisting of Ski and Stars. They have their own signature aggressive clownesque style and make music based in the horrorcore, reggaeton and industrial metal genres. Their work mostly revolves around queerness, female sexuality and breaking taboos.
They’ve collaborated with icons such as Quay Dash, Madge and Grove.
Their shows are unpredictable; one moment you’re shaking your ass and the next you’re in the middle of a mosh pit. Forget the norm and get pulled into LIONSTORM’s world.
It got them shows at Festival de la Cité, BRDCST and Rolling Loud Netherlands.
ABDOMEN
Patterns downstairs
Wed 14 MAY | 8:15pm
Abdomen makes raw and loud post-punk full of distortion, chorus and reverb. Influenced by a multitude of genres melted together results into a compelling wall of sound.
Debut album ‘Emetophobia’ is filled with rage, self-loathing and anxiety. They recorded the album in Leeds with Matt Peel (Pulled Apart By Horses, Autobahn, Eagulls, Bad Breeding). One year later they released the much heavier and noisier EP “Rash”.
Abdomen gained a lot of experience supporting bands as Ex-Cult and Bad Breeding, and toured through the UK and Europe.
The upcoming album ‘Yes, I Don’t Know’ was recorded at Tapetown, Aarhus (Denmark) which will be released February 21st through Fatcat Records.
ISHA
Queens Hotel
Sat 17 MAY | 7:20pm
Female producer, bass player, multi-instrumentalist & artist ISHA (23 y/o), just released her 2nd EP ‘What You’re Seeing’ (2024) where she collaborates with producers and musicians like Joe Hertz, Alfie Neale & MAX RAD, experimenting with her own creative boundaries by featuring as a vocalist herself for the first time on ‘Undone’. Recently in the studio with Tom Misch & Jordan Rakei for the Wildflower Artists Project, ISHA is already cooking up new music for 2025.
ISHA is producer and artist based between Amsterdam and London. Her debut EP ‘Bending Colours’ (2023) released on UK imprint JuiceboxFM received support from BBC 1 Xtra, Jamz Supernova, Jazz FM, NPO Soul & Jazz and Foundation FM amongst others. With her one woman solo live-set, bass player ISHA played stages like London Jazz Festival, Corona Sunset Festival, Isle of Wight, Sounds From Other City, Bird, Paradiso, Amsterdam Dance Event, Mysteryland Festival & Eurosonic Noorderslag as well she got the opportunity to support
REAL FARMER
TGE Beach – Soundwaves
Wed 14 MAY | 10:15pm
Real Farmer is an idiosyncratic (post)punk four-piece from Groningen, the name a nod to their singer’s youth as he grew up in the Groninger countryside. What started out as a group of friends writing punk songs together one afternoon grew into a close-knit band. The band takes influences from the intensity that drives contemporary punk and blues. Angular punk songs alternate with melancholic post-punk, sometimes loud and energetic, sometimes soft and ominous. The lyrics mention themes of loneliness, heartache and finding your place in the world, which are delivered with complete dedication.
BEST REGARDS,
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