A Global Soundstorm Hits Brighton: Planetary Group & Impressive PR Present Explosive Lineup for The Alternative Escape 2025
- jimt
- Apr 25
- 3 min read
For the third consecutive year, tastemakers The Planetary Group (US) and Impressive PR (UK) are teaming up to present a seismic showcase at The Great Escape’s Alternative Escape—and this year’s lineup is an electrifying collision of sound, story, and raw global talent.
Held on Thursday, May 15th at the intimate yet buzzing Secret Comedy Club, this curated event promises standout performances from some of the most arresting new voices in alt-rock, pop, indie, and everything in between.
At the core of the event is LAB RAT, the Melbourne-based alt-rock grunge rap anomaly making noise far beyond Australia’s borders. With his debut album In The Walls, We Wait dropping May 9th via Mushroom Pillow, LAB RAT delivers a visceral, cathartic body of work that translates trauma into triumph. Anchored by his recent single ‘Lost in Soho’ and critically praised tracks like ‘Drunk’, ‘Exit Path’, and ‘Rolling Loud’, LAB RAT’s fusion of haunting riffs and lyrical urgency is not just heard—it’s felt.
His track ‘Car Crash’—a gut-punch homage to his late brother—will also feature in Netflix’s upcoming series Olympothis June, further signaling his ascent. Expect a performance that brims with grit, vulnerability, and the kind of authenticity that’s impossible to fake.
LISTEN TO ‘IN THE WALLS, WE WAIT’: https://s.disco.ac/odjioaoegyes
Making their UK live debut, the wonderfully weird and sonically surreal The Dinosaur’s Skin arrive from Taipei to bring their genre-smashing "Jurassic pop" to Brighton. Led by "Trex" and "Triceratops"—the last two dinosaurs on Earth, as legend (and press releases) would have it—this dream pop duo creates lo-fi magic with a prehistoric twist.
With over 11 million Spotify streams across their catalogue and acclaim from the Golden Melody and Golden Music Awards, tracks like ‘Meteor Shower’ and their self-titled UK single blend distortion, melancholy, and satire into a sound that’s both oddly nostalgic and defiantly futuristic.
Hailing from New South Wales, Day We Ran bring sunny indie surf rock vibes drenched in emotion and stellar harmonies. With their Netflix sync on Outer Banks and nearly half a million monthly Spotify listeners, the band’s upward momentum is undeniable. Their magnetic blend of chilled guitar riffs and coastal melancholy is tailor-made for summer—and for bigger stages worldwide.
Australia’s Sly Withers are no strangers to emotional intensity. Known for their no-holds-barred lyrics and colossal soundscapes, they’ve transformed from scrappy punks into a polished alt-rock powerhouse. Their albums Gardens and Overgrown have both cracked the ARIA Top 10, outpacing global icons and proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.
With breakout singles like ‘Passing Through’ and accolades from the WAMIs to ARIA, their live set promises an emotional reckoning—and a sonic adrenaline rush.
US indie darling Annie DiRusso writes songs that feel like your inner voice—messy, radiant, brutally honest. After years on the road (supporting Haim and beabadoobee, no less), Annie hit reset with “Party July,” a creative renaissance that birthed new tracks like ‘Legs’, ‘I Am the Deer’, and ‘Wet’—vulnerable, provocative bangers born from real life, late nights, and wine-soaked catharsis.
With a fanbase that shows up early and screams every word, DiRusso’s set is sure to be a communal, unforgettable moment.
With two exclusive sets from LAB RAT and The Dinosaur’s Skin alongside show-stopping performances from Day We Ran, Sly Withers, Annie DiRusso, and Gordi, this Alternative Escape lineup is a testament to the power of fearless, global artistry. Whether you're into poetic grunge rap, surfy indie rock, or dreamy pop oddities, this showcase at the Secret Comedy Club is one of Brighton’s must-see events this May.
Get there early. Stay till the end. And expect to walk away with a few new favourite artists.
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