Day three of The Great Escape kicked off at the Brighthelm Centre for HAPPY ACCIDENTS. Admitting it was the biggest venue they have ever played, it didn't seem to faze them and the trio played a lively set of summery pop tunes. The sound could have been better, with drummer Phoebe Cross struggling to get her vocals across, but frontman Neil Mandell seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself and the crowd left happy.
The Green Door Store hosted an eclectic showcase of new Canadian talent in the afternoon, with a huge variety of artists playing short & snappy 20 minute sets.
BAD POP played a brash & confident set, and you get the feeling they would have been happy to fill three hours rather than the 20 minutes they were given. Frontman Chris Connelly had a great time, but the real star of the show was Catherine Hiltz, who managed to be an exceptional bass guitarist and an accomplished trumpeter... at the same time!
They were followed by the mean & moody atmospheric rock of THE AVULSIONS. It's a look and feel that has been done before (The Horrors, Savages) and sadly the music wasn't powerful enough to really engage the crowd.
The showcase then took a change of direction as HELLO MOTH came on stage. Armed with just a synthesizer and an impressive vocal range, he performed a mixture of looped-electro and a cappella songs, including a powerful and unusual rendition of 'Rivers of Babylon'.
The crowd then swelled and Green Door was at bursting point for YOUNGBLOOD. This was a hugely impressive set from such a new band and singer Alexis Young looks like a star already. The band have a unique sound, with powerful guitars beautifully complemented by Young's vocals.
The showcase took a heavier turn as ROYAL TUSK played a 20 minute set that was reminiscent of both Queens Of The Stone Age and Soundgarden in places. Highlight was 'Curse The Weather' with it's catchy hooks on top of brooding guitars.
The evening shows started with a performance by BLACK PEACHES at Cafe Plenty as part of the Alternative Escape. Usually reserved for smaller bands not on the main bill, this was a coup for the Alternative Escape as the band have been together a couple of years ago and have played much bigger shows including Glastonbury last year. The band have one of the best guitarists you will see in Rob Smoughton (Hot Chip, Scritti Politti) and they used the set to play some superb alternative versions of songs from their debut album 'Get Down You Dirty Rascals'. Highlight was 'Raise High The Roofbeams, Carpenters' which was played in two parts, first as the set opener and then finished toward the end of their superb 50 minute set.
Later in the evening were INHEAVEN who were one of the highlights of the 2016 Great Escape, benefiting from a well earned promotion from the small stage of Green Door to the much bigger setting of Wagner Hall. They have really evolved over the last 12 months, and refined their live set. The guitars are heavier and sound almost like Nirvana in places, while bassist Chloe Little has been given a bigger vocal role. Recent single 'Treats' was a set highlight, as were early singles 'Bitter Town' and 'Regeneration'.
25 bands in 3 days, once again The Great Escape delivered!
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