The Great Escape has announced the first tranche of bands booked to perform at the annual festival in May 2008.  An exciting combination of new and rising artists will play in one of the 25+ venues in Brighton over the three days. First out of the blocks are Young Knives, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, Tunng, Peter Von Poehl, Lightspeed Champion, Fujiya & Miyagi and School Of Language.

The 2007 Mercury Prize nominated trio Young Knives have been perpetually building a firm reputation for themselves with two albums under their belt and a potential chart breaker record for March 2008- just in time for their Great Escape appearance. This year’s bright new young things Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong are out on the NME tour in the early part of 2008 so will be ready for a blistering performance on arrival at The Great Escape.

The Great Escape have been booking in the bands for their Mojo sponsored stage which will feature acts like Black Mountain from British Columbia, Tunng who will be bringing their electronic folk sound hot off the back of shows in Australia and France and talented young Paris based artist Peter Von Poehl.

Other artists confirmed to play include Brighton’s best kept secret Fujiya & Miyagi who Mojo heralds as “Exhilarating” and “Impressively Melodic”,  Lightspeed Champion Devonte Hynes’ new venture of charming country folk pop and David Brewis of Field Music fame will also be showcasing his new project School of Language.