The Great Escape UK Announces Collaborators & Topics For 2025

Leading UK talent festival and music conference The Great Escape, scheduled May 14-17 in Brighton, UK, has announced its line-up of industry collaborators for 2025, and the topics that will shape this year’s conference program.

Since last year, the program of The Great Escape is put together with collaborators representing vital areas of the music industry, from artist management to live, production, streaming, emerging talent, and digital innovation.

Returning as collaborators in 2025 are The Council of Music Makers (MMF, MPG, FAC, Ivors Academy and the MU), Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), BBC Introducing LIVE, and Youth Music all return as collaborators.

After hosting some sessions in 2024, long term TGE supporters The Association of Independent Music (AIM) join as an official collaborator to further immerse independent labels and rightsholders into the event.

The Council of Music Makers and AIM will kick the conference off May. 15 under the motto ‘The Changing Shape of the Music Market in 2025’, exploring market trends in music, policy’s role in sustaining the future of the industry, the role of labels in a changing market, and international touring.

The NTIA will bring the unique concerns of venues, live entertainment and the night time economy to the fore on May 16. Sessions cover ‘Decentralising Music: How Local Scenes Empower Global Change’; ‘Intersectional Activism: Music as a Vehicle for Social Change’; and ‘Diversity on Stage and Behind the Scenes’.

BBC Introducing and Youth Music are curating the Saturday, May 17, which “will center on professional development for emerging artists and music entrepreneurs. Established professionals who have successfully navigated the industry’s challenges will cover crucial information like how to make it on the live scene, how to decide whether a manager or label is right for you, and how to pitch your work to press,” according to the latest press release.

The Great Escape will again host Elevate, the professional development program for early-career music business executives, entrepreneurs and aspiring music-makers, supported by Arts Council England.

As part of this program, The Great Escape invites a team of “super delegates” to Brighton to attend the festival and conference, each receiving “a subsidized and curated TGE conference experience,” in an attempt to “build robust professional networks” by connecting industry mentors and the wider music industry via a personally tailored conference program. 20 super delegates will take part this year, selected from nominations submitted by 20 UK organizations.

Meanwhile, BIMM returns as the event’s Lead Education Partner.

The heart and soul of The Great Escape are showcases by some 450 artists making their way to Brighton each year to perform in front of fans, music lovers, and especially industry professionals.

For the 2025 lineup, more than 120 acts have already been unveiled. Among them are are Jordan Adetunji, Lynks, The K’s, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, MOIO, The Moonlandingz, Black Fondu, Westside Cowboy, Donny Benét, and many more.

There’ll also be a so-called “Spotlight Show” featuring Libertine’s co-frontman
Peter Doherty, post-punk outfit Warmduscher, Trampolene, and others on Wednesday, May 14. The Spotlight showcase is part of the expansion of music programming to the Wednesday of the festival, bringing music fans four full days of live music for the first time at The Great Escape.

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Comments from The Great Escape’s 2025 collaborators:

Rory Bett, CEO of MAMA Festivals, promoter of The Great Escape: “We’re thrilled to welcome such an incredible group of industry leaders as collaborators for TGE 2025. These organisations are at the heart of the music sector. Each one is a fundamental part of the web that connects us together. With their involvement, we’re bringing some of the best and brightest voices in music to the conference, with a wealth of knowledge and insight that will help shape the future of the industry. We can’t wait to bring these discussions to Brighton and create an unmissable event for music professionals at all stages of their careers.”

The Council of Music Makers provided the following comment: “The music-maker community

• the artists, musicians, songwriters, studio producers and managers that make up the memberships of the five CMM organizations – are at the very heart of the music business, and should be central to every debate about changes and trends in that business. We are grateful to TGE for allowing us to ensure that happens, as we bring innovators and entrepreneurs from across the music-maker community, and the wider independent music community, together on stage in Brighton.”

Gee Davy, chief executive of AIM: “The independent music community has long seen partnership as an essential element in building successful and sustainable businesses and careers. That’s why for this year’s Great Escape, we are delighted to be partnering with our friends in the Council of Music Makers to bring attendees the most compelling conversations of the moment across the full spectrum of music creation and business. Together we will unearth key avenues to success and demystify the hot topics of the day, making sure that all who attend the Thursday conference program at TGE get the best return on their time investment.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association: “The Great Escape has always been at the forefront of showcasing contemporary culture and exploring the challenges and opportunities facing our industry. This year, I’m excited to dive deep into topics that are crucial to the future of our sector — how technology and immersive experiences are reshaping the relationship between music and audiences. I look forward to engaging in thought-provoking discussions and working with an inspiring group of industry leaders to shape the future of music and nightlife.”

Kelly Betts, editor, BBC Introducing: “BBC Introducing is thrilled to partner with The Great Escape and Youth Music to bring together an inspiring group of speakers, industry professionals, and emerging artists. This exciting collaboration will provide invaluable insights and practical advice on how BBC Introducing can support up-and-coming talent, offering a platform for exposure, networking, and career development in the music industry.”

Daniel Williams, engagement director at Youth Music: “Youth Music’s whole ethos is to equalise access to music and so we are delighted to be partnering with The Great Escape again this year and helping to empower emerging artists.”

Mark Bowers, head of industry and careers at BIMM: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Great Escape as Lead Education Partners. This collaboration reflects our commitment to empowering the next generation of creative talent by connecting our students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with industry leaders and showcase their talent on one of the most exciting stages in the music industry.”

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