THE country’s biggest new music festival has revealed its first 100 acts – and many more are due to follow in its most extensive line-up to date.

The Great Escape, held in more than 35 venues across Brighton, takes place on the busiest weekend of the cultural calendar in the heart of festival season. This year’s event runs from May 17 and 19 and tickets are now on sale.

Among the acts announced to play the festival are Birmingham-based rapper Mist, singer-songwriter Jerry Williams and hyped rock band Pale Waves.

Carolyn Bates, marketing manager at The Great Escape, said Brighton was the perfect host for an event celebrating fresh talent.

She said: “2018 is already looking to be the hottest year for new music yet and where better to kick off the festival season than in our home city? It is set to the biggest Great Escape on record, with more acts than ever before.”

Ms Bates added that the three-day event would host a number of new stages including those run by heavy music festival Download and respected DJ Gilles Peterson.

She said: “We’re very excited to welcome Download to the festival and Gilles Peterson’s Future Bubblers will blow you away. Watch this space for more exciting announcements.”

The full line-up will include over 400 artists and bands. Last year’s festival included Sussex-based soul star Rag ’n’ Bone Man and punk band Slaves, who played a special gig on Brighton Palace Pier. The festival was founded in 2006.

To see all the acts currently on the line-up and to book tickets for the festival visit greatescapefestival.com.