Creative Wales has joined forces with Horizons and iconic Welsh venue, Clwb Ifor Bach to produce a showcase of Welsh talent featured at this year’s The Great Escape in Brighton.
The Great Escape is regarded as one of the UK’s most important festivals for new music and music lovers. Showcase Cymru brings together emerging Welsh artists listed on this year’s bill and highlights the diversity and wealth of talent continuing to come out of the Welsh music scene.
The showcase will take place across two days on the afternoons of the 11th and 12th May 2023 at One Church Brighton, and will feature eight Welsh artists including Buzzard Buzzard, Buzzard, Edie Bens and Mace The Great.
Bethan Elfyn, Producer of Horizons/Gorwellion, said: “We welcome working with Creative Wales and Clwb Ifor Bach to supersize our activity at the event, to bring more opportunities for the Welsh artists showcasing, and create a delegation of partners who support Welsh musicians at this influential event. Horizons has been holding showcases at the Great Escape since 2015 and we know what a valuable event it is in the international music industry calendar, and what a boost it is for Welsh music to have a presence at the event.”
Adam Williams, Head of Music at Clwb Ifor Bach said: We're delighted to be bringing Clwb Ifor Bach to The Great Escape as part of an exciting new partnership with Creative Wales and Horizons. Clwb's role within Showcase Cymru allows us to expand our work with Welsh artists on a wider scale at the UK's biggest music industry event.”
Mace The Great said: “It’s good to see a Welsh takeover at this year’s ‘The Great Escape’. Showcase Cymru is going to be sick and I’m just happy to be a part of it!”
Edie Bens said: “I’m really excited to play The Great Escape this year and represent Welsh music in a city I love dearly. Horizon has been such an amazing support in my career so far so to play their stage is an honour”.
The Great Escape Festival is a major music industry event for new music and emerging talent, showcasing around 500 artists from all over the world, across over 30 intimate and accessible local venues in Brighton. The festival has previously been played by the likes of Adele, Slaves, and Wolf Alice.
Aside from being a first look for music lovers wanting to see artists before they go on to hit the mainstream or headline bigger venues and festivals, The Great Escape also features music industry events, secret gigs, and spontaneous collaborations.
Creative Wales is the Welsh Government agency that supports the growth of the creative industries. This partnership with BBC Horizons and Clwb Ifor Bach is part of Creative Wales’ work to nurture talent across the Welsh music scene and help people to develop successful careers within the industry.
As well as two days of Welsh showcases, Horizons is also working with international partners from Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg for a 4-country showcase featuring Welsh musician Lemfreck.
Thursday 11th May – One Church
Running Order (subject to change)
12:30 - Edie Bens
13:30 - Minas
14:30 - Voya
15:30 - Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
Friday 12th May - One Church
Running Order (subject to change)
12:15 - Mace The Great
13:15 - Luke RV
14:15 - Melin Melyn
15:15 - Alice Low
