The Great Escape 2024 ⎪ 15–18 May ⎟ Brighton (UK)
Great success for the Swiss Business Mixer
Even though The Great Escape is not a trade fair, but one of the first major music festivals of the season, the event in the English coastal town attracts a large number of professionals (around 4,000) every year. This year, 55 people registered from Switzerland (previous year 60), making it one of the largest delegations after the top 5 (UK, D, USA, AUS, NL). As has been the case since 2013, the Swiss presence was organised by Swiss Music Export (SME) in collaboration with FONDATION SUISA, Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Embassy in London.
Over 500 acts on around 30 stages were on the programme over the four days, including the traditional Swiss Business Mixer on Friday with four Swiss acts in the once again outstanding Komedia Studio. The programme included performances by SOFT LOFT, BOUND BY ENDOGAMY, SIRENS OF LESBOS and FULMINE. While the concerts of the first two bands attracted a large and enthusiastic audience, the other two preferred to boycott The Great Escape at short notice together with 120 other musicians. The reason for this was the investments made in Israel by one of the main sponsors, which the festival organisers refused to distance themselves from despite an appeal. Nevertheless, the Swiss Business Mixer was once again a complete success this year and all four Swiss acts were the subject of lively discussions, albeit for different reasons.
The next The Great Escape Festival will take place in Brighton from 14 to 17 May 2025.
SWISS LIVE ACTS
SWISS MUSIC @ The Great Escape 2024 in pictures:
