The Great Escape Festival names Peaches as Spotlight Show headliner; announces second wave of 2026 lineup • Festivals • DIY Magazine

It may only be February, but we’re already eagerly looking ahead to festival season. That’s right, The Great Escape has just expanded its 2026 lineup to include scores of new additions, including sex-positive cultural icon Peaches.

The electroclash pop provocateur joins Irish group Kingfishr to be the second artist confirmed for a special Spotlight Show at Brighton Dome Concert Hall, where she’ll be playing on Friday 15th May. Both Spotlight Shows are set to be ticketed separately to the main festival, with general sale for Peaches’ turn opening at 10am this Friday, 6th February.

Elsewhere on the bill, there’s a whole host of genre-spanning new names to explore, including Keo (who’ll be headlining the beachside Billboard UK stage), London rockers VILLANELLE, gothic auteur Heartworms, theatrical pop phenomenons Haute & Freddy, Brighton locals - and DIY faves - Lime Garden, and many, many more.

The Great Escape 2026 will also highlight emerging talent from far further afield, too, as New Zealand has been announced as the festival’s Lead Country Partner - meaning punters will be treated to sets from world-building visionary Ratbag, ’60s pop crooner Hemi Hemingway, and rising singer-songwriter Jude Kelly.

Across the board, TGE 2026 will platform over 450 rising artists across 35 venues, as well as hosting industry professionals for its annual conference. This year’s edition takes place from 13th-16th May in Brighton, and tickets are on sale now here.

Remind yourself of what went down on the South coast last year and check out the official lineup poster for this summer’s knees-up below.