Come with me and (great) escape
Brooke Salisbury gives you the rundown on what's coming for the 2008 Great Escape festival
The Great Escape is a great Sydney institution. Why? Because getting away and making the most of a glorious long weekend is a foolproof plan. Conveniently located at the Newington Armory, this year's festival boasts a genuinely stellar line-up of international and local artists.
Supergrass return after far too long away, bearing their brand new Diamond Hoo-Ha album under their arm. C.W Stoneking delivers a piece of the tattered 20s with his lucid blues cocktail while Yeasayer arrive from the future with their psych-pop-rock'n'roll sounds. Better known for his musical vehicle Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst rolls up with the Mystic Valley Band and a swag of delightfully crafted indie tunes.
Joan As Policewoman will make her way up the grand piano in softly-softly style. The electronically inclined will appreciate Ladytron's presence after falling in love with Velocifero. Those more organically pleased can find solace in The Panics' Western Aussie sounds. Similarly on the local front, Blue King Brown bring the funk and the latest "it" band The Galvatrons can prove what the fuss is all about. Paul Kelly and Lior make sense of life's big questions, and it's safe to say Spod wont make much sense at all, and that's why we love him.
And that's not all. The John Steele Singers make it their personal business to entertain, and with Little Red by their side tap into the 70s vibes. The New Pornographers bring their lively Canadian power pop to the majority and isn't that what a festival's all about? Well, ‘no' say the Firekites: it's about strings, brushed drums and low-fi sounds, and ain't that dreamy ‘The Seabellies and theredsunband agree, armed and ready to romance punters with their melancholy sounds. And that's not all: there are even more acts get to be announced!
Tickets include your camping pass and two days of sunny jaunts across the green fields of the Armory. Soak up the natural amphitheatre as springtime creeps up on us and the crème of the music world gathers for an earthy, unpretentious weekend of tunes.
The Great Escape is happening at Newington Armory, Homebush on Labour Day long weekend: Sat 4 and Sun 5 Oct. Tickets go on sale Wed 9 July: check !