Saturday at The Great Escape 2025
Words by Willow Shields, Photographs by Rosie Carne
The theme of Saturday at The Great Escape 2025 was full-to-the-brim rooms. We hopped around from The Pier to The Prince Albert and reflected on how much fun we’ve had this week/end.
The Rosie Report by Rosie Carne:
Ugly played at Horatios for the Vocal Girls showcase, treating us to new songs and leading us in the direction they’ll be going in the next era of Ugly. They managed to wake everyone up at 12:15pm on the final day of the festival, which was no mean feat. Afterwards we went on the log flume.
I arrived to Lemonsuckr at Three Wise Cats (upstairs at Casablancas) and was met with a long queue, but I found a friend so all was well. Witnessing the day before an exchange that meant that frontman of Welly, Welly, would play drums in place of Lemonsuckr’s Matt who was stuck on a plane, the other side of Italy. So, it was 3PM, I was outside in a queue and the band were getting on stage with an extra member of Welly to the sometimes-Jacob-plays-bass addition. They started and we got let in, perfect timing. Weaving through the crowd and into the gig room, sporadic guitars and muted vocals suddenly became uniqueley Lemonsuckr. Serenading the full capacity room with fan favourite ‘Rarity Jacket’, and upcoming single ‘Heat’. The energy was palpable as bodies squished and people started to dance. When their set finished we all met in the sun and they gave us treats in the form of Lemonsuckr badges, Groupie Magazine Corp is very grateful.
Next up, we stepped out of our lanyards and stuffed them in our very deepest pockets, to attend the Black Lion to watch Feet’s first set of the day. An Alt Escape (free to the public) show, and to say it was packed full would be an understatement. From one end of the pub to the other, was a sea of people, all in attendance just for Feet. They played a varied set of first and second album tracks, with a new one or two thrown in. Someone loudly requested that they “play Vegetarian Christmas,” which got a giggle from the crowd. When it got to the finale of ‘English Weather,’ the already boisterous crowd turned into a whirlpool of people. We then requested their presence outside and Harry and George talked to us about gardening mostly. WATCH IT ON OUR INSTAGRAM.
After walking home, putting our feet up and eating an entire takeaway pizza, it was time to face the music once again. We trotted down to the Hope & Ruin to catch Parker Fans’ headline slot at the ‘No Friends In The Industry’ showcase. They brought their unique blend of electronic, “topless” ( - Kick, Parker Fans) and drum’n’bass music to Brighton for the second time in two days and no surprise, the room we found ourselves in was once again packed. My shoes were sticking to the floor and yet, I was having a blast. Smiling from ear to ear soundtracked by Parker Fans having a great time on the makeshift stage, it reminded me why live music is so important. A room filled with maybe 100 people having the best time ever.
We ended our night by trying to get into Rossi Bar, not getting let in. Then trying to get into Folklore Rooms, it was too busy. Then going back to our favourite pub that feels like home, The Prince Albert, where we sat and drank, laughed and almost fell asleep under the heaters. Before eventually trekking back homeward and falling into our beds. Thank you Great Escape, you've been good to us. More next year?