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Meet the DJs playing The Great Escape
The so-called Late Escape takes the new music festival into the early hours with this exciting dance billing
The Great Escape festival returns to Brighton next weekend, cramming hundreds of acts into anything resembling a venue across four days. Though it’s perhaps best known as a place to find pop and indie acts on the cusp of greatness, anyone looking for the next best selectors (or just wanting to keep the party going) is in for a treat too.
Partnering with Notion and The New Society, the festival has announced its The Late Escape schedule, taking place at Patterns and The Arch on Friday and Saturday night.
RAF
11:30 Friday, Patterns Downstairs
Originally from Belgium but falling in love with his new home of Brighton, RAF has become an important part of the city’s music culture, having promoted shows for the likes of Nia Archives, Lord Apex and FEUX.
ELLADHC
00:30 Friday, Patterns Downstairs
Brixton-born ELLADHC learnt to DJ during lockdown, and has since started turning heads for blending dancehall with all sorts of surprises, from 80s bangers to smooth groove and classic house.
Taylah Elaine
01:30 Friday, Patterns Downstairs
Expect London DJ Taylah Elaine’s characteristic style to shine through in her set as she melds the best of hip hop, disco, R&B and more traditional dance styles.
Changing Currents
02:00 Friday, Patterns Downstairs
This young south coast-based artist returns to Patterns where he’s previously held a residency thanks to his ear for groove and UK rap, while bringing the party in his own productions.
Amaliah
TBC Friday, The Arch
Earning a name for herself on the likes of Balamii and Foundation FM, while developing her own label Borne Fruits, Amaliah is one of London’s buzziest names of the past year. As her first Boiler Room (yes, that one with Fred Again..) proved, her sets span the likes of funk, house and techno like it’s nobody’s business.
NIKS
TBC Friday, The Arch
Founder of the Black Artists Database (B.A.D), a site promoting black artistry worldwide, NIKS cut her teeth DJing in Bristol and Bath before becoming a fixture in the capital. An eclectic crate-digger skilled equally on vinyl and digital, there’s an interesting percussive through-line throughout her sets.
Shanti Celeste
TBC Friday, The Arch
Chilean born Londoner Shanti Celeste is one of the most in-demand DJs around right now, especially after dropping the fiercest of minimalist belters ‘Cutie’ and ‘Shimmer’ at the end of last year. Her DJ sets are filled with fast-tempo house with a good amount of groove to balance out some of the techno-leaning moments.
Daisha
11:00 Saturday, Patterns Downstairs
Having shared a booth with the likes of Gilles Peterson, Eliza Rose and Joy Orbison, Brighton-based Daisha is a regular at Patterns so will likely get the party started quick sharp.
LUXE
12:30 Saturday, Patterns Downstairs
Brighton’s own LUXE was a student of classical music for many years before turning to the decks. While you’ll not exactly hear any Shostakovich samples in her set, her background does give her a deeper understanding of the tenets of music, as evidenced by her own sublime productions. An eclectic selector, things will definitely get a bit hypnotic and heady.
I. Jordan
02:00, Patterns Downstairs
I. Jordan was already a respected name in London’s queer underground scene before they began releasing their own music in 2019. Look over their discography since debut single ‘DNT STP MY LV’ and you’ll find funk, wobbly tech-house and spacey, emotive breaks, which should be a good indication of the sounds closing out The Great Escape 2023.
Entrance to The Late Escape is included on TGE tickets – a limited amount are still available here
Photo credit: Celine Antal @Celineantal
