Showcasing Scotland line-up announced for The Great Escape 2015

Published: 22 Apr 2015

Eight Scottish bands are getting ready to perform to fans and music industry professionals at The Great Escape (14 – 16 May, 2015), Europe’s leading festival for new music, with support from Creative Scotland.

Covering a wide variety of music genres from indie, rock, hip-hop, psychedelia, folk and acoustic song, the bands Admiral Fallow, C. Duncan, Hector Bizerk, Model Aeroplanes (pictured), Neon Waltz, The Merrylees, Vukovi and WHITE will perform across two Showcasing Scotland concerts presented by Creative Scotland and hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway, on Thursday 14 May and Friday 15 May at The Brighthelm, Brighton.

As well as the Showcasing Scotland gigs, Creative Scotland is hosting a networking event on Friday 15 May focusing on developing the profile of Scottish music with attending industry delegates.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary the festival will present a cutting edge line-up of over 400 of the most exciting and promising artists from across the globe, performing across 35 Brighton venues.

Attracting over 20,000 music fans and industry delegates, the festival is recognised as one of the most important events in the musical calendar. Referred to as Europe’s equivalent to South by South West Music Festival in America, the festival offers an opportunity for musicians to gain the attention of fans, media and industry representatives.

Alongside the live music, The Great Escape presents the UK’s leading music business convention, bringing together thousands of music industry practitioners for three days of insight sessions, panels, conversations and networking. This year’s festival is expected to be attended by over 3,000 music industry delegates on the hunt for the next big thing.

Ahead of hosting the Showcasing Scotland gigs, BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway, said:

"Scotland's contemporary music scene is now respected and revered across the world, and it's absolutely right to see some of our finest new acts showcasing their wares at one of Europe's leading new music festivals, The Great Escape. This year we will be represented by music across genres such as indie, rock, hip-hop, psychedelia, folk and acoustic song.

“This is an excellent opportunity for eight acts to connect with music industry and new audiences from the UK, Europe and the USA at a world-class event in Brighton. I look forward to introducing them all onstage and continue to champion our best, homegrown talent.”

David Weaver, Development Officer at Creative Scotland, who will be joining the delegates and bands in Brighton, said:

“The Great Escape is a really important event for developing bands – not only is it the main industry event of its kind in the UK, it’s one of the key showcases in Europe. Scotland has a great relationship with The Great Escape, so to once again have such a great range of bands heading down to Brighton is really exciting.“The artists performing cover a wide range of genres, and include a mix of both raw, fresh talent and more established acts. Creative Scotland are proud to be able to support the event and provide a platform for these acts, which is integral in the development of new talent.”

The Showcasing Scotland concerts presented by Creative Scotland at The Brighthelm, Brighton:

Thursday 14 May 2015

12:30: Model Aeroplanes
13:30: The Merrylees
14:30: Hector Bizerk

Friday  15 May 2015

12:15: C. Duncan
13:00: Vukovi
13:45: White
14:30: Neon Waltz
15:30: Admiral Fallow

The bands will also be performing as part of other showcase events at the festival. Scottish bands Django Django, Tuff Love, Pinact and Old Bohemia will also be performing at the festival.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further information and tickets for The Great Escape please visit greatescapefestival.com. Follow the festival on Twitter #TGE15 twitter.com/thegreatescape and on Facebook facebook.com/mamaco.thegreatescape.

Band Information

Formed in 2007 by a group of Glasgow-based music student mates (Louis and Phil from Edinburgh; bassist Joe Rattray from Dundee; singer, flautist and keyboardist Sarah Hayes from Northumberland; clarinettist and keyboardist Kevin Brolly the only genuine Glaswegian) Admiral Fallow released their adored debut album, Boots Met My Face, in 2011 and its widely-acclaimed successor Tree Bursts In Snow the following year. Admiral Fallow, a band once categorised as indie-folk (or nu-folk or folk-rock) are back after 3 years with their new album, Tiny Rewards, released on Nettwerk on 25 May. Tiny Rewards, an album created largely on keyboards, on which acoustic instruments remain but are often unrecognisable, on which space matters as much as sound and with textures as rich as the melodies are moving. Key to that shift in sound was starting the album instrumentally as a five-piece, rather than coming together to work on songs already roughly written by front-man and lyricist Louis Abbott. “On our first two albums, I wrote whole songs or sections of songs and we arranged them as a band,” explains Louis. “This time we did the exact opposite. Fragments of music came first, whether a piano part or drum beat or just a certain sound or atmosphere. Taking time off to kick ideas about was crucial. Because there was no framework and no lyrics, we could all pile in and be more experimental."

Find out more:
greatescapefestival.com/artists/admiral-fallow
www.admiralfallow.com
twitter.com/admiralfallow
facebook.com/AdmiralFallow

C. Duncan is a composer and musician based in Glasgow with a degree in composition from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His compositions have been featured on various television programmes, including Waterloo Road and have been performed by the Icebreaker Ensemble and the Sirens of Titan choir. Christopher Duncan was born in 1989 to two classical musicians. He initially took up piano and viola as instruments, but playing with bands in his teenage years, he also learned to play guitar, bass and drums. His music takes in both classical and modern music and have been described as combining lush choral harmonies and acoustic instrumentation, textured like contemporary dreampop, and a cross of lo-fi folk with the harmonic width of choral composition. He has recently been signed to Brighton’s famous Fat Cat record label, with a debut album to be released this summer.

Find out more:
greatescapefestival.com/artists/c-duncan
facebook.com/mrchrisduncan
twitter.com/mrchrisduncan
soundcloud.com/mrduncan

Ahead of his performance C. Duncan’s record label FatCat said:

“Creative Scotland is a truly invaluable and honourable resource for Scottish musicians. Their presence at The Great Escape and their invitation to Christopher to perform at their showcase is an encouraging endorsement. We hope, with their support, that Christopher can continue expanding his exposure to a growing audience and represent his home country in musical and cultural circles across the world. We are very pleased to work in partnership together.”

Hector Bizerk are an experimental hip-hop group comprising Louie (Vocals), Audrey Tait (Drummer/producer), Fraser Sneddon (Bassist) and David Calder (Synth/Percussion). Hector Bizerk have established a reputation as an accomplished festival band having played at almost every Scottish festival including T In The Park and a headline slot at Wickerman. Having previously performed on T Break stage at T in the Park Rapper Louie has been named as a judge for this year’s festival choosing the acts that will perform.  Following high energy performances at South by South West Music Festival in March 2015, Hector Bizerk were listed by NME as one of the need to know new bands at the festival. Their album ‘Nobody Seen Nothing’ was short listed for Scottish Album of The Year in 2014. The follow up series of experimental EPs has received widespread acclaim and propelled the band's reputation further having received two five star reviews of their new short film ‘The Bird That Never Flew’ which features Scotland's Makar Liz Lochhead.  The band have shared a stage with Wu Tang Clan, Alt-J, Public Enemy, The Libertines, Immortal Technique and Jurassic 5 among other support slots.

Find out more:
greatescapefestival.com/artists/hector-bizerk
hectorbizerk.com
facebook.com/hectorbizerk 
twitter.com/HectorBizerk

Model Aeroplanes are a four piece guitar-pop band from Dundee, Scotland, comprising Grant Irvine (guitar), Ben Buist (bass), Rory Fleming-Stewart (vocals, guitar) and Kieran Smith (drums). Since forming in January 2013, the nineteen year old lifelong friends have gone from strength to strength, joining a host of bands such as Prides, Little Comets, Twin Atlantic and Editors on tour and major festival appearances.  Their first single ‘Crazy’ secured the band a slot on the prestigious BBC Introducing Stage at Scotland's T in the Park music festival. Their second single, ‘Innocent Love’ secured several national radio plays on BBC Radio 1 and a number of regional radio plays. Their latest single ‘Electricity’ has been aired on Radio 1 with BBC Introducing and Huw Stephens as well as being voted the most popular track on the Radio 1 Review Show with Edith Bowman.  Model Aeroplanes now stand with a strong, excited UK and worldwide fan base.

Find out more:
greatescapefestival.com/artists/model-aeroplanes
modelaeroplan.es
facebook.com/modelaeroplanes
twitter.com/modelaeroplanes
soundcloud.com/modelaeroplanes

On performing at the festival Grant Irvine of Model Aeroplanes, said:

“Model Aeroplanes are looking to The Great Escape as worldwide showcasing event. We hope to gain the attention of labels, publishers and promoters from around the globe.”

Neon Waltz are a powerful six piece psychedelic indie rock band from John o’ Groats, the most northerly points on mainland Scotland. The band is made up of Jordan Shearer (singer), Darren Coghill (drummer) Calvin Wilson (bass/co-vocalist), Jamie and Kevin Swanson (guitarists) and Liam Whittles (organist). Their first release via Atlantic was ‘First Light’, out in early April, which includes demos and live recordings from 2014, such as ‘Bare Wood Aisles’ which has racked up over 23,000 views on YouTube already. With excitement building around the band already, it’s easy to see why NME listed them as one of their artists to watch in 2015.

Find out more:
neonwaltz.com
facebook.com/neonwaltz
twitter.com/neonwaltz
soundcloud.com/neonwaltz

On performing at this year’s festival Kevin Swanson of Neon Waltz, said:

"We had a blast playing last year's The Great Escape, it was a massive highlight of 2014 for us. We can’t wait to head back and build on the brilliant response we received last year.”

The Merrylees are an Edinburgh based band made up of Ryan Sandison, Simon Allan, Craig McMullen, Lee Brown and Craig Somerville. After a busy two years touring with the likes of Paul Weller and Babyshambles, as well as recording singles with Bill Ryder-Jones and Richard Hawley, 2015 promises to be the breakthrough year for the band with the release their first EP this summer.

Find out more:
greatescapefestival.com/artists/the-merrylees/
www.facebook.com/TheMerrylees
twitter.com/THEMERRYLEES

Vukovi are an alternative rock four piece from Ayr made up of Janine Shilstone (vocals), Hamish Reilly (guitar), Jason Trotter (bass/vocals) and Colin Irving (drums). Having signed to First Run Records their single 'So Long Gone' was released in September 2014. Taking influence from the likes of Incubus, Rage Against the Machine, Sia, Florence and the Machine and Foals the band have supported the likes of Funeral For A Friend, Crystal Castles, Twin Atlantic, The LaFontaines and Lower than Atlantis. Having performed at various festivals across the UK including T in the Park, Belladrum, Hard Rock Calling, Wickerman, Hit the Deck and Live at Leeds, Vukovi are now working on their new single & debut album. 

Find out more:
vukovi.co.uk
facebook.com/vukoviband
twitter.com/vukoviband
soundcloud.com/vukovi

WHITE are a Glasgow based post-punk/pop band.

Find out more:
facebook.com/calledWHITE
soundcloud.com/calledWHITE
twitter.com/calledWHITE
youtube.com/user/calledWHITE1
instagram.com/whiteofficial
whitetheband.com

Vic Galloway is a respected broadcaster, journalist and author based in Scotland. With 16 years of experience from 1999 to the present day he has presented weekly music programmes for the BBC, including 11 years broadcasting for Radio 1. He continues to present on BBC Radio Scotland every Monday night playing the best new and emerging music from Scotland and beyond, offering exposure and LIVE sessions to the country’s best new acts first.  

On radio over the years Vic has also hosted many outside broadcasts, shows on BBC 6Music, documentary series and podcasts across various networks. His TV work includes 7 years of the BBC's 'T in the Park' coverage, 'The Music Show' on BBC 2 Scotland and a TV documentary on the ‘South by South West’ (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas. He co-host’s ‘RAPAL TV’ on BBC Alba which features some of Scotland’s brightest new talent performing LIVE, and now makes BBC Music programmes for the iPlayer with recent specials on Belle & Sebastian and Twin Atlantic.  

As a freelance journalist, he does regular work for newspapers and magazines including monthly columns for the ‘Sunday Herald’ as well as ‘The Skinny’, ‘Dear Scotland’ and ‘Clash’. His first book ‘Songs in the Key of Fife’ was published recently – all about music from the East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, telling the intertwining stories of KT Tunstall, The Beta Band, King Creosote, James Yorkston and the Fence Collective. It has been well received and reviewed.

Contact him at:
Email: vic.galloway@bbc.co.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/vicgalloway
Web: bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074hgc

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