The Great Escape, Brighton, 12th-14th May, 2011
Brighton has held the reputation as the UK’s capital of wanton abandon ever since professional dandy, King George IV, had the extravagantly designed Brighton Pavilion built to house his somewhat hedonistic tastes… These days, little has changed, and although you won’t find rakish young men smoking opium and duelling with pistols at The Great Escape, you will find a bill full to the gunnels with the world’s most promising new bands.  Early bird tickets are currently on sale for a measly £35, which is great value considering that Ellie Goulding, These New Puritans, Marina & The Diamonds, Wild Beasts, I Blame Coco, Best Coast and The Walkmen entertained fans during this May’s turn out.

Insider Tip: Having already enjoyed remixes and plaudits from Joy Division/New Order drummer, Stephen Morris, London’s minimal-industrial trio, Factory Factory, are one of the hottest up and coming bands in the country right now, so watch out of them at the top of the bill this year.