In celebration of The Great Escape turning ten next year, we've been looking back at some of the best artists featured on our bill each year. Somehow this week is already our last, so we're only hopping back a few months to TGE 2014 - yet the impact that these acts have made in the few months since is huge. Here's to our fantastic alumni of the past and the many more to come...

Alvvays (Canada)

Played @ The East Wing/Bind Tiger
The sunny sound of indie pop outfit Alvvays has followed us through the summer becoming the perfect remedy to rainy days this winter - and it appears it's not just us. Releasing their debut album to an 8/10 from NME and a 7.6 from Pitchfork, the Toronto-based five piece's jangly sound is infectious - one that makes you want to grab someone by the hand and start dancing or run away forever. Their dreamy Great Escape performances won the hearts of many, with sets perfectly striking the balance between the carefree and contemplative. The band are currently touring in the US but will be returning to the UK in the new year for their first headline tour here; be sure to catch them to shake off those January blues. Get your ticket quick though - their London show back in August was sold out.

Future Islands (USA)

Played @ Digital
Although simmering along nicely until this year, it was Future Islands' third album "Singles' released in March after signing to 4AD that really catapulted into the public eye, with their sensational performance on the David Letterman in the US sparking a huge interest from fans and critics alike. With queues snaking around the block for a sought-after spot at their TGE set this year, the Baltimore quartet didn't disappoint: singer Samuel Herring blew the crowd away with his sheer physicality and energy. Following TGE, the band played more major festivals this summer, with slots at Latitude and Coachella. Just this week NME named "Seasons (Waiting on You)' as their top track of 2014, with album, "Singles' being ranked at 11 in their respective album list. The band is back in the UK in March 2015.

MØ (Denmark)

Played @ The Warren
It's been a huge year for MØ: there's been performances at major festivals such as Reading and Leeds and Bestival, a widely acclaimed album and a single with fellow TGE star Iggy Azalea complete with a Saturday Night Live performance in the US. Her Great Escape set this year (following a similarly dynamic one the year before) had the crowd dancing as close to the stage as possible, as the Danish songstress filled the room with her trademark explosive energy. With insanely catchy tracks "Don't Wanna Dance' and a surprise hit with her cover of the Spice Girls' "Say You'll Be There' it's no wonder the electro pop newcomer has attracted the attention of so many. Winning four Danish Music Awards earlier in the month, we can't wait to see what this dynamo of an artist will do next.

Royal Blood (UK)

Played @ Corn Exchange
Explosive rock duo Royal Blood were one of the most hyped bands of TGE14, playing a hugely intense set in their hometown at the Corn Exchange. The duo has had huge praise over the course of the year from the likes of Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl (who they're supporting on their upcoming UK tour) and Jimmy Page. On release, their album debuted at number one in the UK with huge sales making it the fastest selling British rock debut in 3 years; the album went on to finish up in the top 20 of both Rough Trade and NME's Best of 2014 list, as well as scoring them a Mercury Prize nomination. With various sold out dates littered across the UK in next few months, be sure to keep your eye out for their next wave of shows to be announced soon.

Jungle (UK)

Played @ The Haunt
An entirely sold out UK tour in October pretty much sums up the hype that's been surrounding Jungle for the past year. Their multi-layered funk drew crowds to The Haunt in their droves for a set that brought all to their feet. Following The Great Escape, the band have played to huge festival crowds at the likes of Reading and Leeds and Glastonbury, as well as a US headline tour. Still managing to maintain some mystery, usually tricky for a band today, this only proves all that Jungle need are the music to bring people on board. With their debut self-titled album nominated for the Mercury Prize and all over Best of 2014's lists, we suggest you grab your ticket to see them when they're back in the UK next year as soon as you can.

Other stand out artists to have played TGE 2014 include: Albert Hammond, Jr., Augustines, Ballet School, Charli XCX, Childhood, Courtney Barnett, East India Youth, Fat White Family, George Ezra, Girl Band, Jon Hopkins, Little Dragon and Pulled Apart By Horses.

Words by Eleanor Weinel

The post #TBT - A RETROSPECTIVE LOOK AT TGE 2014 appeared first on The Great Escape.