Friendly Fires and Villagers confirm Great Escape

The Great Escape, Europe's leading event for showcasing new musical talent announces the first artists for the 2011 festival. Taking place in Brighton over 3 days in May, The Great Escape kick starts the festival season, introducing 15,000 music lovers to the key artists and sounds of the year. With over 300 bands playing in 30 venues over 3 days in Brighton as well as hosting its acclaimed music conference for 3,000 industry professionals, The Great Escape is one of the main dates in the music calendar.

First up are Friendly Fires** whose sparkling modern pop has ignited many dancefloors and dominated radiowaves with both their albums of off-kilter, pulsating electronica ' A huge show for The Dome. After having played one of their first UK shows at TGE 2010, we are pleased to welcome back Warpaint, who will be bringing their ambient alt-country, post rock all the way from LA to the south coast. Girl of the moment, and unanimously One To Watch for 2011, Katy B is arguably the hottest name in music right now. You'll recognise her vocal contributions to Magnetic Man and Count and Sinden anthems, while her own productions deceptively blend her sweet vocal tone and dark story-telling lyrics.

With Ireland announced as the partner country for this year's event, The Great Escape is delighted to welcome the carefully crafted indie folk of Villagers who will be playing tracks from their Mercury nominated album 'Becoming A Jackal'. Revisiting the rougher end of Brit Pop are Brother whose self titled 'Grit Pop' has seen them compared to Oasis and their anthemic indie rock proves guitar bands will still have a big say in the charts this year.

Full line up so far includes the following, with many more artists to be announced over the next couple of months:

Friendly Fires **(dome show) / Katy B / Warpaint / Villagers / Twin Shadow / Brother / Little Dragon / D/R/U/G/S / Becoming Real / PVT / Dutch Uncles / Tribes / SBTRKT / The Heartbreaks / Spark / Nedry / Worriedaboutsatan / Big Deal / The Soft Moon / Teeth / Marques Toliver / Tripwires / Lucy Swann / Vision of Trees / Seams / The Holidays / The Jezabels / Said the Whale / Team Me / Bonjay / Deep Sea Arcade / Seekae / The Mountain and the Trees / Winter Gloves / DZ Deathrays / Woodhands / gaBLe

Super Early Bird tickets are currently on sale at an incredibly competitive £35. This offer lasts until 15th February when the price will increase to £45, so music lovers are urged to get tickets early to ensure more bands for your buck! Tickets can be purchased from www.escapegreat.com or local outlets Resident and Rounder.

**This year, a small number of our shows will take place at The Dome in Brighton. The first of our 2011 Dome Shows to be announced is Friendly Fires. To ensure guaranteed access our Dome Shows, attendees can top up their festival wristband for just £6 per show, or purchase separate gig tickets on www.escapegreat.com.