19,000 Performances Under 1,500-Cap Since 2014: Live Nation Highlights Investment In Emerging Talent Ahead Of TGE 2025

The Great Escape (TGE), the UK’s leading new music festival, returns to Brighton this week, May 14-17, with a record-breaking lineup of over 550 emerging artists from around the world and 750 performances.

Performances will take place in more than 30 intimate venues across the city – the highest number in the festival’s history.

TGE, the UK’s premier showcase for rising talent, is one of the most impressive examples for Live Nation’s continued support for developing artists.

Celebrated for kickstarting the careers of acts like Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Stormzy, the festival offers a vital platform for musicians to reach fresh audiences and make key industry connections at a critical stage in their careers.

Next year marks 20 years of The Great Escape. Since its beginnings, the festival has played host to future heavyweights of the UK music scene – including Sam Fender, Charli XCX, Skepta, Dave, and Sleep Token – as well as spotlighting artists from over 40 countries each year.

“We’re confident in the talent coming up through the clubs,” Denis Desmond, chairman Live Nation UK and Ireland, told Pollstar when speaking for last month’s annual UK Focus. “Over a third of our artistes are in early career stages, which is twice as many as pre-2020,” he said, “and there is nothing better than a good live show. Artistes continue to excel and fan demand is there; the future is bright.”

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In anticipation of this year’s TGE, Live Nation released some more stats showing its support of new talent beyond the festival. By the promoter’s own admission shows in venues under 1,500-capacity accounted “for 70% of its UK and Ireland events over the last 10 years, totalling more than 19,000 performances since 2014.”

Brighton-based duo Rizzle Kicks, who first performed at TGE in 2011 and return this year for the Spotlight show, commented, “Great Escape is a festival close to our hearts; we used to come as kids. 15 years ago we managed to blag tickets to Chase and Status which was the spotlight show at the Dome. Genuinely can’t believe that’s now us. Buzzing for it.”

Desmond added, “Supporting emerging talent is essential to keeping the future of music strong. We recognise how important it is to give emerging artists the platforms they need to grow – which is why we’ve doubled our investment in new talent since 2018.”

Rory Bett, CEO, MAMA Festivals and VIP Nation, said, “The Great Escape is an incredible festival to be a part of – it’s an event that’s helped shape the voices of tomorrow. Everyone loves finding their next favourite artist, and this is the place to do it.”

Head here to read about TGE’s full 2025 conference schedule.

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