BRIGHTON’S new music festival The Great Escape will be held online this year.

Organisers have confirmed that the 2021 event will not go ahead and will be replaced with a virtual experience between the 14th and 14th May. The festival aims to make a return in 2022.

A statement reads ““We can now confirm that The Great Escape 2021 will no longer be taking place in Brighton this year, however, we will be taking The Great Escape online for the first time.”

“On 13th-14th May 2021 you can expect a huge snapshot of the best new artists showcasing their talents, plus The Great Escape Conference featuring the CMU conference strands, keynote speakers, panels, talks and debates as well as dedicated facilities for the industry to come together and network – just without the sea air and dashing between our beloved venues into the early hours…”

The news arrives after the UK government announced a roadmap out of lockdown. However, ongoing restrictions will mean that it is too early for The Great Escape to return for its usual dates in May.

Since the government announcement, a number of festivals that take place later in the year such as Reading & Leeds, Green Man and End of the Road have announced that they plan to go ahead with their 2021 events. Reading & Leeds have since sold out.

Last November, the line-up for The Great Escape 2021 was revealed, including Scottish artists Lizzie Reid, Walt Disco, Voodoos, Alex Amor, Tayo Sound and Aaron Smith. Others confirmed include the likes of Arlo Parks, Holly Humberstone, Pa Salieu, Bree Runway and KennyHoopla.

No details on the line-up for the festival’s virtual edition have yet been revealed.