An annual pilgrimage for music professionals and enthusiasts alike, Brighton's The Great Escape is just around the corner. We've curated a list of our must-see artists for the long weekend, which starts tomorrow (13th of May). From industrial noise to introspective wordplay and danceable art-punk, each of these acts are worth your undivided attention.

Mandy, Indiana
Achieving the coveted 'Best New Album' by Pitchfork back in February, Mancunian visionaries Mandy, Indiana pair unflinching vocals with harsh, percussive instrumentation. Even more thrilling live (if that's even possible), you'll want to arrive early to catch them.

Friday 15th May
Venue: The Old Market
Time: 10:15pm

Max Winter

A recent staple on our playlist, Max Winter's eclectic vision has seen multiple collaborations with some of the most talented (and criminally underrated) musicians around. Bridging the gap between avant-garde classical compositions, grunge-y guitar rock and dusky alt-pop, his solo work (and new band Thredd's recently released debut album) is some of the most exciting music we've heard in a long time.

Thursday 14th May
Venue: Charles Street Tap
Time: 8:15pm

Lauren Duffus

You'll want to put on your dancing shoes to catch Lewisham-based producer, vocalist and DJ Lauren Duffus. Her distinctively haunting style of electronica combines ethereal synths and vocals with hard edges and pulsating bass. Equally comfortable in a full throttle drum & bass tune or a surreal lament, Duffus is just getting started.

Thursday 14th May
Venue: Quarters
Time: 8:15pm

PVA

Releasing one of our favourite albums of the year so far back in January, electronic art-punks PVA have been putting on a heck of a live show as of late. Raising what was already an incredibly high bar, the trio have leaned in to their influences outside of straight-up dance floor fillers to create something esoteric, nuanced and completely their own.

Friday 15th May
Venue: Quarters
Time: 9:15pm

Tony Bontana

A name on a lot of people's lips (and for very good reason), is Birmingham's Tony Bontana. Favouring a lo-fi approach to experimental hip-hop, his self-coined "splayed" style is bold and instantly recognisable. Having cut his teeth in "grungegaze" bands, while producing his own rap albums, the prolific artist is an electrifying force to be reckoned with.

Friday 15th May
Venue: TGE Beach - The Jetty
Time: 3:30pm
Venue: Revenge
Time: 6:45pm

Saturday 16th May
Venue: Patterns Downstairs
Time: 6:15pm

SILVERWINGKILLER

Almost blowing our heads off with their exhilarating debut single last year, SILVERWINGKILLER are poised to turn heads on the South Coast. The collaborative project between James Baca and Ni Yushang is a reflection of their environments past and present. Influenced by the electronic scene in Manchester where "all the local bands practice in old industrial mills", their multi-lingual acid-punk is thrilling and utterly uncompromising.

Thursday 14th May
Venue: Patterns Downstairs
Time: 1:30am

Friday 15th May
Venue: Concorde 2
Time: 8:15pm

KEYAH/BLU

After some quiet years and a necessary period of recovery, KEYAH/BLU made a welcome return with K/B FOREVER last month. Each piece on the album is deeply considered, infused with emotional vulnerability and intelligence. Unmistakably London-based, regularly referencing tube stations and Lime bikes, her magpie-style of modern R&B is interwoven with disparate influences.

Friday 15th May
Venue: Brighthelm
Time: 12:30pm

Saturday 16th May
Venue: Daltons
Time: 3:30pm

Marsy

With a heavy focus on classic songwriting, Heavenly-signed Marsy will make their Great Escape debut this year. Beavering away behind the scenes for a little while, their refreshing take on British Americana is both spellbinding and endearing.

Friday 15th May
Venue: Horatios
Time: 8:15pm

The Itch

Last but certainly not least is Luton-based duo The Itch. Having recently released their debut album It's The Hope That Kills you, the talented twosome are bringing their eternally playful brand of danceable post punk to the beach. If you're looking for a good time with sing-along choruses and energetic rhythms, you won't want to miss them.

Wednesday 13th of May
Venue: Patterns Downstairs
Time: 10:15pm

Thursday 14th of May
Venue: Concorde 2
Time: 10:15pm