The Great Escape announce line-up for First Fifty Live Show in London
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(Credits: The Great Escape)
The Great Escape have announced the full line-up for their London takeover on November 13th, titled the First Fifty Live.
Across eight venues in East London, the day of alternative music will introduce the first wave of artists confirmed for the official weekender in May 2026.
The festival has partnered with BBC Introducing, Clash, DIY, Dork, Notion, The Independent, Ticketmaster New Music, and Ones to Watch to present the ambitious East London celebration.
Over at Folklore, The Independent will host James Emmanuel, Dublin six-piece Madra Salach, and neo-soul artist Ashaine White. DIY will take over the beloved MOTH Club to present Girl Group, Max Baby, and Annie-Dog.
Ticketmaster New Music will host the night at Oslo in Hackney, with a line-up including sister duo SISTRA, songwriter Ava Joe and Teenage Joans. Across the road at Paper Dress Vintage, BBC Introducing will host Persia Holder, Elsa and Tukki.
Dork take over the Sebright Arms to host The Itch, Really Good Time, and queer punk band SLAG. At The Victoria, Notion present rock duo Girl Tones, alt-rock outfit Saint Clair, and art-punk high-flyers Ain’t.
The new and improved event has added two more venues to the offering. At The George Tavern, Ones to Watch will present Sean Trelford, Clothesline from Hell, and Glasgow five-piece Tanzana. At The Jago, Clash hosts new talents Dermot Henry, Isak Benjamin, and Tommy WÁ.
If this isn’t enough, the festival have also partnered with the suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). CEO Simon Gunning says of the new partnership, “You’ll see us down the front. On the walls of every venue. Speaking on the panels. Making sure people know that if they’re struggling, we’re here for them. And with the festival taking place during Mental Health Awareness Week in 2026, it seems the perfect time to get that message out there.”
Far Out covered the official weekend festival closely in 2025, writing, “The endurance of the alt-escape still being as big of a part of the weekend as they were when they saved the day last year feels like the ultimate win, ensuring that those same independent artists are still receiving the love, support and excitement they deserve and those without the wristband can still sink their teeth into the feast that is the festival.”
Tickets are available for purchase from September 19th. The official festival will take place between May 13th to 16th next year.
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