SME at The Great Escape 2026
The whole town one big, bright and brash song and dance – that is Brighton during the Great Escape weekend. An archetypal English seaside town for two centuries, not even the odd rain shower can ruin the terrific vibe of ramshackle architecture, freshly baked mini donuts on the pier, and second-hand record emporia stuffed with King Crimson, Depeche Mode and bloody ABBA. Of course, we don’t need to introduce the Great Escape to you! The festival/conference is the most important bridge to the British market as well as a magnet for anyone into innovative sounds to swap ideas, impulses and mobile numbers.
It goes without saying that TGE continues to be a fixture in the annual Swiss Music Export programme. Thus, we’re very pleased to be able to invite you once again to our traditional showcase in the KOMEDIA Studio. As always, we’re there from midday Friday, bringing with us an open tab for all delegates. Plus, live performances from four of the most exciting acts at present making waves in Switzerland.
Not only that: for the first time ever we are also inviting you to pre-showcase coffee, buns and chats at Olea Specialty Coffee & Matcha.
Swiss Morning Brew at Olea Specialty Coffee & Matcha
15 May | 11AM-12PM
We kick things off with a proper coffee moment. Open to all delegates, the Swiss Morning Brew offers a first point of contact for the day: good coffee, pastries, a hint of Swiss chocolate, and the chance to ease into conversations before the full TGE whirlwind kicks in.
A gentle start, but by no means a quiet one – feel free to invite anyone you’ve been meaning to catch up with.
Join us for coffee – RSVP here
https://forms.gle/oUVAJeAQ5g6zog8y7
Swiss Business Blender at Komedia Studio
15 May | 12PM-4PM
A short stroll (roughly one minute, depending on your coffee intake) takes you straight into the main event at Komedia Studio.
Formerly known as the Swiss Business Mixer, the newly rebranded Swiss Business Blender continues to do exactly what the name suggests: bringing people together – this time with an open tab, a carefully curated selection of Swiss live acts, and the usual lively Komedia atmosphere.
As always, entry is open to all TGE wristband holders, and as always, the venue has a habit of filling up quickly. In other words: come early, stay a while, and don’t be surprised if things get pleasantly busy.
This event is kindly supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom.
12:15 LEILA
Signed to Herbert Grönemeyer’s Grönland label, Leila (ex-Jeans for Jesus) possesses the kind of voice that once heard, is not forgotten. Deeply mysterious, it sounds young and old, strong and vulnerable, provocative and intimate – all at the same time.
13:15 Argyle
The Scottish singer/songwriter with Indian roots, a Swiss home and a massive voice that suggests colourful past, yearning libido, and little-boy-lostness, started off as a busker in Amsterdam. His songs are cut from a similar cloth as those of Lewis Capaldi.
14:15 BombayMami
The daughter of a Swiss mother and an Indian father brings together her various inspirations (Switzerland, India, M.I.A., Missy Elliott) in an alluringly laid-back mixture of beats, vocals and global touches. Check the spectacular video that goes with her viral hit “Fire in Delhi”!
15:15 Eileen Alister
After creating a buzz with a debut album fizzing with punk/poppy effervescence (“Honeymoon in a Motel”), Eileen Alister arrives in Brighton with a brand-new EP entitled “Room Service” (do we detect a theme developing here?).
Anyone sporting a TGE wristband is cordially invited to drop by. Watch out, though – the room isn’t huge, and once a certain number of people are inside, security won’t let you in. In other words: arrive early and stay late! We promise it will be worth it. Oh, and do say hello to us!
All artists appearing at the showcase will play at least one more show as part of the official Great Escape schedule (times and places TBA).
Also appearing at the Great Escape:
Comastatic
Zurich-based singer Mattia Di Paola and Guitarist Giuliano Luongo somehow contrive to sound like a five-piece band, blending hard rock elements with big choruses, pop melodies and hip-hop influences. They are signed to Hopeless Records in Van Nuys, California.
