The Great Escape 2026 announces Kingfishr spotlight show & final First Fifty artists – Brighton and Hove News

The Great Escape announces Irish indie folk trio Kingfishr will headline a Spotlight Show at Brighton Dome Concert Hall on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Hailing from Limerick, Kingfishr have quickly become one of the most exciting new voices in alternative folk. Formed during lockdown by Eddie Keogh, Eoin “Fitz” Fitzgibbon and Eoghan “McGoo” McGrath, the trio are known for their soaring soundscapes, emotive lyrics and anthemic energy. Their breakout track ‘Killeagh’, a tribute to a local hurling club, spent 18 weeks in the Irish Top 10 and went four times platinum. With heartfelt songwriting and powerful live performances, Kingfishr are cementing their place as one of Ireland’s most compelling new acts. Their upcoming Great Escape Spotlight Show marks the band’s triumphant return to the festival, promising an unforgettable night from one of Ireland’s fastest-rising acts.

Access to Kingfishr’s Spotlight Show will be via standalone tickets, available on general sale from 10am on Friday 21st November via greatescapefestival.com, with artist and venue presales on Wednesday 19th November from 10am, and Live Nation presale on Thursday 20th November from 10am.

THE GREAT ESCAPE ANNOUNCES FULL FIRST FIFTY LINE-UP

Alongside the news of Kingfishr’s Spotlight Show, The Great Escape also reveals a further 26 artists to complete the FIRST FIFTY line-up – the first fifty acts announced to perform at the 2026 festival. Featuring a selection of the most promising new music from across the globe, the FIRST FIFTY is one of the year’s most exciting tip lists for emerging talent.

New names joining the list include hyped Manchester indie group Westside Cowboy, genre-blending act Mustbejohn, acclaimed alt-R&B artist Ngaiire, British performance poet Sophia Thakur, Canadian psych-rockers Meltt, Scottish soul-pop songwriter Becky Sikasa, who was recently honoured the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Award Scottish Act of the Year 2025, mysterious Ukrainian artist Carpetman, Brighton artists Big Long Sun, ladylike and Lily Moore, alongside Au/Ra, Bean Magazine, BED, DC3, Gareth, Jack Devlin, Kellan Christopher Cragg, Little Grandad, Marlon Funaki, Morn, PISS, Ringlets, The OBGMS, Truman Sinclair, Wah Wah Wah, and Yndling.

These acts join a stellar line-up that already features Ain’t, Annie-Dog, Ashaine White, Ava Joe, Dermot Henry, Girl Group, Saint Clair, Tommy WÁ, Tukki, and more.

Synonymous with new music discovery and acting as a springboard for rising artists, The Great Escape is the festival for new music. Playing host to over 450 up-and-coming artists and hotly tipped talent across 35+ walkable venues, alongside the music industry-led TGE conference, the festival will kick off the 2026 season from 13 – 16th May in Brighton. Tickets for The Great Escape festival are on sale HERE,  https://greatescapefestival.com/buy-festival-tickets/ with TGE 2026 Saver Tickets, priced from £108, running low.

THE GREAT ESCAPE 2026 – FIRST FIFTY LINE-UP (A–Z)

Ain’t
Annie-Dog
Ashaine White
Au/Ra
AVA Joe
Bean Magazine
Becky Sikasa
BED
Big Long Sun
Carpetman
Clothesline from Hell
DC3
Dermot Henry
Elsa
Gareth
Girl Group
Girl Tones
Isak Benjamin
Jack Devlin
James Emmanuel
Kellan Christopher Cragg
ladylike
Lily Moore
Little Grandad
Madra Salach
Marlon Funaki
Max Baby
Meltt
Morn
Mustbejohn
Ngaiire
Persia Holder
PISS
Really Good Time
Ringlets
Saint Clair
Sean Trelford
SISTRA
SLAG
Sophia Thakur
Tanzana
Teenage Joans
The Itch
THE OBGMs
Tommy WÁ
Truman Sinclair
Tukki
Wah Wah Wah
Westside Cowboy
Yndling

greatescapefestival.com