For the first time Impressive PR joins forces with US based promotions team The Planetary Group for an Alternative Great Escape Day Stage that brings together some incredible acts from all over the world. A trio of sisters, the pop country band Germein from South Australia, will open the show, followed by New Zealand’s folk pop punk artist Reb Fountain, fellow Kiwi singer-songwriter Connor Mac (who now resides in Switzerland), Irish pop princess Aimée, quirky Canadian artist Zoon and finally Melbourne’s hotly tipped punk outfit Civic.

12.00-12.25:  GERMEIN: Whether it’s jamming together on their family farm or opening stadium shows for Little Mix & Jess Glynne, Germein’s energetic and charismatic live performances have been described as nothing short of mesmerising. Fresh off the back of their debut USA shows at SXSW – sisters Georgia (guitar, keys), Ella (bass, electric cello), & Clara Germein (drums) release their brand new single ‘Suitcase’ on 21st April. The track’s earthy tones are deepened with edgy guitars, percussive drums, soaring vocals, topped off with their iconic sibling harmonies. Following Great Escape, the band will perform at Tunes in the Dunes Festival in Cornwall (James Bay, Kaiser Chiefs), Isle of Wight Festival (George Ezra, Robbie Williams) & Lytham Festival (Sting, Blondie). They have also been announced as the support for Tom Jones this summer, as well as The Corrs Australian & New Zealand Tour later this year. Taking the lead from strong female artists like HAIM, Chvrches, and Tegan & Sara, Germein possess the kind of close musical partnership that can only be shared by siblings. They are inspired by the vocal harmonies of iconic bands such as Queen and Fleetwood Mac.

12.40-1.05: REB FOUNTAIN: The critically acclaimed award-winning Kiwi artist effortlessly combines pop elements with her trademark noir folk-punk sound. This string of shows follows last November’s tour supporting Marlon Williams across the UK and her own headline London’ show. Her new single ’Faithless Lover’ is released on 17th April via Flying Nun. She is the winner of the 2021 Taite Music Prize for her self-titled debut and the Aotearoa Music Award for Best Country Music Album and APRA Best Song in 2018. 2020 saw Reb astounding audiences around New Zealand on her sold-out debut album tour, joined Crowded House on their 13 date, ‘To The Island Tour’, and honoured Nick Cave at the sold-out Auckland Town Hall show, ‘The Boy Next Door’. Her second album ‘Iris’ quickly followed in October 2021 and last year Reb Fountain and band made their Australian debut at Womadelaide, performed at Big Sound and at a sold-out show with Marlon Williams in Melbourne. “New Zealand’s next alt-folk sensation" MOJO ****

13.20- 13.45: CONNOR MAC – The 25-year-old, singer songwriter will be releasing a new single in late May, this follows first two critically acclaimed singles ‘See Through’ and ‘Purpose’ released last year. He has now had over two million streams to date and counting. Connor grew up in a musical family in the countryside outside of Palmerston North, New Zealand. He started performing live aged 10 and by the time Connor left school was an accomplished vocalist and guitarist, having played in a variety of bands. Rather than going to university, Connor followed his passion for music and travelled to Europe where he has crafted his live performance as his British heritage allowed him to perform. His many shows included a private gig with Jason Derulo. Connor is equally at home playing the big stage, performing his original songs to an audience of over 15,000 at a festival in New Zealand in 2019.  His musical influences include John Mayer, Little Feat, Leon Bridges and The 1975. 

“If you only listen to one new artist this year, then let it be Connor Mac.” Talk About Pop Music 

14.00- 14.25: AIMÉE:  2022 saw her become the most played Irish female artist on radio, her new single ‘Hurt Like Hell’, released in February via Universal, is following suit. The Dublin native impowering anthem was co-written and recorded with her “dream team” consisting of Nick Jarl (Westlife, Loreen), Richey McCourt (Will Young, TINI) and Swedish icon Joakim Berg (Zara Larsson, Avicii).  The 27-year-old first came to light on YouTube, her very first video had ¼ million views in less than a week! She then built her following on Instagram, after which, she then was asked to compete on the X Factor.  She was axed just before judges houses as the producers wanted her mother, who was going through cancer treatment at the time, to be interviewed, which Aimée declined. Her mother was a huge influence in her life and sadly passed away 5 years ago.  She is hugely relieved she didn’t make the live shows as she feels that it gave her time to develop as an artist. Aimée has been in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend since childhood who has also been an inspiration for some of her previous releases. 

“the work of an artist with the world at her feet. A profoundly independent voice” CLASH

14.40 – 15.05: ZOON They have steadfastly woven their Indigenous experience and activism into every fabric of their work.  Zoon's debut album, Bleached Wavves was created with extremely limited, often broken gear. They worked through frustrating, lengthy delays and yet managed to reverse engineer a masterpiece of a debut. With sophomore album, Bekka Ma’iingan (released April 28th) a broad spectrum of possibilities, lush orchestration, resources, collaborators and friends all supported the process. Bleached Wavves provoked us to face many difficult questions and reckon with a deeply uncomfortable and painful history. Bekka Ma’iingan continues to explore their Indigenous and life experience, and while still clutching to the unresolved, it moves us more softly and sweepingly towards acceptance.

15.20- 15.45: CIVIC: The Melbourne-based five-piece released their visceral new album ‘Taken By Force’ this February via ATO Records. The album aptly sums up as “1984 meets Endless Summer” and CIVIC joyfully obliterate the line between furious catharsis and unbridled fun, introducing a vital new energy into today’s musical landscape.
One of the most exhilarating bands to emerge in recent years, CIVIC have reimagined the reckless intensity of proto punk for an era of endless uncertainty. Their 2021 debut album ‘Future Forecast’ offered up a barrage of songs matching their frenetic sound with both self-aware outpouring and incisive observation of the world around them—a dynamic that’s earned massive critical acclaim as well as admiration from the likes of musicians like punk legend Henry Rollins.