Wednesday 16th September 2026 – The UK’s premier new music festival, The Great Escape, today announces the line-up for FIRST FIFTY, its unique live launch of the 2027 festival, taking place on Thursday 12th November 2026 across seven venues in East London. Marking the first wave of artists confirmed to play The Great Escape in Brighton next May, FIRST FIFTY brings together some of the most exciting emerging music talent from the UK and beyond for a one night celebration of new sounds in intimate venues across the capital. From indie and alternative to punk, pop, electronic and everything in between, this year’s FIRST FIFTY line-up features 20 artists performing across seven Hackney venues, offering fans the chance to discover some of the artists set to make their mark on 2027.
Tickets for each FIRST FIFTY show start from just £7.50 and are available now via the following link HERE.
THE GREAT ESCAPE FIRST FIFTY SHOWS – THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
This year’s FIRST FIFTY live launch will see seven East London venues play host to a series of intimate shows on Thursday 12th November, presented by some of the UK’s leading music platforms and tastemakers.
At Oslo, Ticketmaster New Music presents an evening of new talent featuring Belfast indie fusion band Esmeralda Road, London five piece Xanadu, psychedelic rock and roll six piece Pack of Animals, and Irish singer songwriter Jordan Joy.
DIY Neu Nights takes over Moth Club, bringing together electro acoustic trio Compost Compost Compost, Melbourne trip hop trio Dumbhead, and alt rockers Die Twice.
At the Shacklewell Arms, So Young presents Irish indie artist State of Grace, indie rock band Spanish Horses, and Scottish folk dream pop band Angelface.
Dork return to Sebright Arms with a line-up featuring Leeds electronic noise pop band Bathing Suits, Parisian post punk quintet chest., and London singer songwriter Shrink.
Over at Folklore, Clash presents alt rock trio Half Star, Welsh singer songwriter Tesni, and Cardiff five piece Casual Smart.
BBC Introducing returns to FIRST FIFTY at Paper Dress Vintage, with genre blurring Walthamstow rapper simon a., rapper and producer J Casa, Nigerian singer songwriter Chiderah taking to the stage, with more to be announced.
Meanwhile, Ones to Watch presents Nashville singer songwriter Aubory Bugg, alt pop singer songwriter Gianna, and Scottish singer songwriter Abbie Gordon.
With performances spread across some of East London’s best-loved independent venues, FIRST FIFTY offers fans a first look at the artists set to shape the future of music, all for one night only.
Synonymous with new music discovery and acting as a springboard for rising artists, The Great Escape is the festival for new music. Playing host to over 450 up-and-coming artists and hotly tipped talent across 35+ walkable venues, alongside the music industry-led TGE conference, the festival will kick off the 2027 season from 12 – 15th May in Brighton. Tickets for The Great Escape festival are on sale HERE.
THE GREAT ESCAPE 2027 LINE UP SO FAR (A-Z):
Abbie Gordon
Angelface
Aubory Bugg
Bathing Suits
Casual Smart
Chest.
Chiderah
Compost Compost Compost
Die Twice
Dumbhead
Esmeralda Road
Gianna
Half star
J Casa
Jordan Joy
Pack of Animals
Shrink
simon a.
Spanish Horses
State of Grace
Tesni
Xanadu
THE GREAT ESCAPE 2027 FIRST FIFTY LIVE LAUNCH SHOWS:
LONDON – THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER:
Ticketmaster New Music present
Esmeralda Road
Xanadu
Pack of Animals
Jordan Joy
Oslo, 1A Amhurst Road, London, E8 1JB
Tickets available HERE.
DIY Neu Nights present
Compost Compost Compost
Dumbhead
Die Twice
Moth Club, Valette Street, London, E9 6NU
Tickets available HERE.
So Young present
State of Grace
Spanish Horses
Angelface
The Shacklewell Arms, 71 Shacklewell Lane, London, E8 2EB
Tickets available HERE.
Dork present
Bathing Suits
Chest.
Shrink
Sebright Arms, 31-35 Coate Street, London, E2 9AG
Tickets available HERE.
Clash present
Half Star
Tesni
Casual Smart
Folklore, 186 Hackney Road, London, E2 7QL
Tickets available HERE.
BBC Introducing present
simon. a
J Casa
Chiderah
Paper Dress Vintage, 352a Mare Street, London, E8 1HR
Tickets available HERE.
Ones to Watch present
Aubory Bugg
Gianna
Abbie Gordon
The Victoria, 451 Queensbridge Road, London, E8 3AS
Tickets available HERE.
