12 alternatives to The Great Escape this week

Whether you don't fancy forking out for tickets to The Great Escape this year or you're giving it a miss because of their sponsorship by Barclays (and the bank's involvement in the arms trade), that doesn't mean you have to miss out on a whole load of great music in the city. There's always plenty of alt escape options, but this year, there's more than ever as over 100 bands who've dropped out of TGE in protest are putting on their own (fundraising) events. FROM TUESDAY The Gladstone The bright yellow Lewes Road pub has a few events on this week. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Make Music Matter are putting on The Great Boycott, featuring speakers highlighting the importance of taking a stand and loads of musicians, including Molly Rose, Hatter, and Lori Asha. It's donations on the door, with all money going to the artists involved. The Great Boycott continues at Brighton Electric on Friday (2pm – midnight). And, on Thursday 16th May, Platform B and Sussex Music Mag are holding a Gaza fundraiser show, with Everyday Saints, Maximilian, Belmondo, and more on the bill.Tuesday 14th May; 5pm – midnight and Wednesday 15th May; 2pm – midnight; free but collecting donationsThursday 16th May; 4.30pm – 11pm; free but collecting donationsFriday 17th May; 2pm – midnight; free (at Brighton Electric)More information FROM WEDNESDAY The Green Door Store The ever-popular GDS (these local bands all voted it their favourite Brighton venue) is holding a fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestine on Wednesday with loads of Brighton bands set to perform: Holiday Ghosts, The New Eves, Atticomatic, Ideal Living, and more.Wednesday 15th May; 6pm; suggested donation of £5More information The Prince George The Trafalgar Street boozer is putting a four-day music bender – The Fake Escape – with bands including Rosie Mark, Madz and the Martians, Mistress and Intimate Friends.Wednesday 15th May – Saturday 18th May; from 6pm; freeMore information FROM THURSDAY The Hope and Ruin No Friends in the Industry is a free three-day music fest brought to the bar area of the Hope by Love Thy Neighbour. Loads of great local and not-so-local names, including Plantoid, Caitlin Rose, Flip Top Head and Parker Fans, will be performing.Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th May; 2.30pm; freehope.pub Bella Union BOTI fave record store and label Bella Union are also putting on some great shows. On Thursday, they've teamed up with Faber Alt to put on an afternoon of music featuring performances from Keaton Henson and Fyfe Dangerfield, among others. And as part of their brilliantly named The Greatest Ape, you can see artists like Bumble B Boy and Last Living Cannibal. There's a waiting list for priority wristbands but you can just turn up to the shop super early to secure your spot. Thursday 16th May; midday – 4.30pm; freeFriday 17th and Saturday 18th May; from 1pm; freeMore information Daltons Brighton's newest art venue Daltons is also getting in on the action with their Super Fuzz Weekender, which sees Plantoid (again!), Holiday Ghosts, Hutch, Stanford Family Band and Karma Sheen and more take to the stage.Thursday 16th and Friday 17th May; freeMore information FROM FRIDAY The Gladstone The pub is also hosting Slack City Radio's Slackscape event, which sees Brighton bands Hutch, Hollow Hand, Cordelia Gartside and more, performing. Friday 17th May; 3pm – 11pm; freeMore information Hotel Pelirocco Another event, another great name: Brighton's most Brighton hotel is putting on The GOOreat Peliscape, an alt-alt escape event with Goo Records. Everyday Saints, Owners Club, My Fat Pony and The Stanford Family Band are just some of the local bands on the line-up.Friday 17th May; 2pm – 10pm; freegoorecords.com The Walrus Skydaddy is putting on a fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) at The Walrus with artists playing including Skydaddy themselves, The New Eves, Flip Top Head, and more. Friday 17th May; midday – 6pm; free but taking donations More information St Nicholas' Church From hotels to churches: Back in the Woods are putting on their own alt alt escape at central Brighton's 12th century St Nicholas. You'll spot some familiar names from earlier in the week, such as Hutch and Karma Sheen on this line-up, as well as Night House and Yumi and the Weather.Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May; from 1.30pm; freeMore information The Folklore Rooms Indie record labels Blitzcat and Haptic Exit are putting on a fundraiser for MAP at The Folklore Rooms with the likes of The Holiday Ghosts, Flip Top Head and The New Eves taking to the stage at this great venue.Friday 17th May; 10pm – 2am; freeMore information FROM SATURDAY The Folklore Rooms And there's more! The Folklore Rooms have also got their own alt alt option on the go featuring some of their favourite artists from the last 12 months. Artists performing include Lily Lyons, Edwin Raphael and The Halfway Kid.Saturday 18th May; 1pm – 6pm; freeMore information

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