Eight more Aussie acts added to UK’s The Great Escape

The Great Escape, held May 17 to 19 in Brighton, UK, has long had a reputation as a place where European and North American music executives go to check out the best new unsigned and underground talent.

It’s always championed music from Australia, so it’s no surprise that eight acts are included in the latest round of 100 acts from around the world.

The bands and solo artists showcase in music venues, theatres, pubs, bars, pop-up stages and street corners. around the south coast city.

The eight are, alphabetically, Sydney’s Alex The Astronaut who has the See You Soon EP just out, and Melbourne’s Alexander Biggs whose making his first trip abroad and with the Still You Sharpen Your Teeth to promote.

Brisbane’s Hatchie just signed with UK’s Heavenly Records and already doing seven shows in that country, a mix of clubs and festivals as Live At Leeds and Liverpool Sound City.

Wollongong’s Hockey Dad, whose Australian tour setting yp the February 9 release of their second album Blend Inn is almost sold out, have been looking at the overseas market in the last 12 months.

Sydney hip hopper Manu Crooks, fresh from 1 million views for his ‘Day One’ video, has already headlined his first UK tour.

Olympia, the art-pop project of Melbourne singer-songwriter and guitarist Olivia Bartley, has already showcased at The Great Escape before.

For Melbourne band Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, the Great Escape stop is part of a massive North American and European tour which kicks off in April at the Coachella Festival.

Byron Bay’s Skeggs continue to get triple j support, with their ‘Got On My Skateboard’ ranking #39 on its Hot 100 countdown.

The Australian acts join the likes of other fast rising names as Boniface. BØRNS, Hello Delaware, The Psychotic Monks, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Crooked Teeth from other parts of the world.