We're excited to announce that The Independent is extending its commitment to new, live music as it returns as exclusive news partner to The Great Escape. It comes as we announce the line-up for this year's FIRST FIFTY live launch gigs, showcasing a selection of the first fifty artists announced to play at next year's festival. 

The FIRST FIFTY live launch on 15 November will see some of the world's freshest and most promising emerging artists take to the stage across eight venues in east London ahead of their festival appearances next year. Tickets for each FIRST FIFTY gig start from £7 and are available to purchase HERE.  

The collaboration means The Independent's readers will continue to get exclusive behind-the-scenes access and reports from the festival for new music. The Independent will present an evening of groundbreaking music at MOTH Club with performances from Birmingham's electro-punk duo Big Special, the genre-bending King Isis and punk influenced Canadians, Mock Media.

The Great Escape 2024 will host over 450 up-and-coming artists and hotly tipped talent across 35+ walkable venues, alongside the music industry-led TGE conference, kicking off the 2024 festival season from 15 - 18 May 2024 in Brighton, England. Tickets for The Great Escape festival start from £89.25 and are on sale HERE.

The partnership continues The Independent's tradition of supporting music and cultural initiatives. Its commitment to new music is evidenced by its flagship Independent TV series, Music Box, which has featured artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Ms Banks and Tom Grennan during the early stages of their careers. This year, it has already hosted the critically adored singer-songwriter Billie Marten, Grammy-nominated artist Andrew Bird, rapper Che Lingo, fast-rising Irish singer Nell Mescal, R&B artist James Vickery, and indie duo Dolores Forever. The ninth series is due to drop this Autumn and will once again give emerging artists the opportunity to perform their original songs to The Independent's huge audience.

The Independent's Culture and Lifestyle News Editor, Roisin O'Connor, says: "As we come to the end of a summer of great live music, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with The Great Escape and continue highlighting the next generation of talent. The FIRST FIFTY is the perfect way to showcase the next generation as we look forward to The Great Escape 2024."

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