Proud supporters of the Hull presence at Northern Music Takeover at TGE Festival

Published: 13 May 2026

Hull is set to shine on the national stage this week as bands and music industry delegates from the city head to Brighton to represent Hull as part of a Northern Music Takeover at The Great Escape Festival.

This is the second year that Hull has had a presence at the festival which provides artists and industry professionals with the opportunity to connect with national and international audiences at one of the UK’s most influential showcase festivals.

The Hull artists performing at the festival have been selected by The Great Escape, following an open application process to the festival itself, reflecting the strength and quality of new music being created in the city.

The bands representing Hull at The Great Escape are LIFE – winners of both Radio 1 and Radio 6’s albums of the year, the high-energy alternative band are known for sharp lyrics and powerful live performances. The Froot – fresh of the release off their second album, deliver vibrant, genre-blending sounds whilst maintaining their roots in the boundary breaking music of the Psychedelic 60s and 70s. Breeze – emerging indie band of brothers, with alternative influences from Britpops peak fused with indie and blues.

The Northern Music Takeover is also being supported by Hull City Council, Hull Culture & Leisure and the Hull Music Board - which our General Manager, Sam Ryder, heads up - as part of ongoing work to strengthen Hull’s creative economy and grow its reputation as a city of music. In addition to live performances, members of the Hull Music Board will attend the takeover to meet with representatives from the music industry, helping to build relationships, open doors for local talent and raise Hull’s profile within the wider music industry.

Sam Ryder, Chair of Hull Music Board, General Manager of Connexin Live and Director of Concert Hall Strategy for Legends Global said: “Hull has a strong and growing reputation for producing exciting new music, and opportunities like The Great Escape are vital in making sure our artists are seen and heard beyond the city. This takeover is about more than performances – it’s about building connections, creating pathways and ensuring Hull’s music sector continues to thrive.”

The Great Escape is widely recognised as a key platform for breaking new acts, attracting thousands of music fans and industry professionals from across the UK and beyond each year.

We, alongside partners, are committed to backing grassroots talent from the city, helping to put Hull on the cultural map for music and creativity. It’s our hope that the emerging Hull artists of today will be our venue headliners of the future.