MUSIC fans are in for a busy few days as The Great Escape Festival returns.

The festival takes over popular venues in Brighton from today until Saturday.

Up-and-coming bands from across the world, including some of the country’s fastest rising acts, will be appearing across the city for intimate and loud performances.

As well as taking over some of Brighton’s most popular music venues, such as the Dome, Concorde 2 and the Hope and Ruin in Queen’s Road, they will be in untapped venues such as Fabrica in Duke Street, The Tempest in King’s Road Arches and The Walrus in Ship Street.

Fast-rising Scottish star Lewis Capaldi headlines the festival’s major spotlight show at Brighton Dome.

The show might be the biggest on the festival calendar but even then it is intimate – given that Lewis has just announced a mammoth UK tour, including two nights headlining at London’s Wembley Arena.

Other stand-out events – if you have a ticket – include Foals playing Concorde 2, Anna Calvi and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes at the Old Market and Brighton’s own Black Honey at The Haunt in Pool Valley.

Shows go on all day, so be warned if some of your favourite pubs are packed with music lovers when you want to go in for a pint.

As well as all the gigs on show there are also a range of events taking place as part of the festival’s Alternative Escape.

From conferences and talks to small, intimate performances, there is plenty to enjoy.

The venues taking part in this year's Great Escape are:

Brighton Dome

Coalition

The Ditto Stage - The Great Escape Beach Site

Fabrica

Green Door Store

Hideout

Horatios

Jubilee Square

Komedia

Latest Music Bar

Marine Room at Harbour Hotel

One Church

Paganini Ballroom at Old Ship Hotel

Patterns

Prince Albert

Queen's Hotel

Shooshh

St Mary's Church

Tempest

The Arch

The Deep End - Beach Site

The Dive Bar - Beach Site

The Haunt

The Hope and Ruin

The Old Market

The Walrus

Three Wise Cats at Casablanca

Unitarian Church

Volks

For a full list of bands taking part in the Great Escape visit www.greatescapefestival.com