The Great Escape has announced Skunk Anansie’s Skin as the latest keynote speaker for its 2025 Conference, taking place in Brighton this May. Skin will be sitting down with Roisin O’Connor, music editor of The Independent, for an exclusive keynote conversation.
Taking place one week before the release of Skunk Anansie’s new album The Painful Truth, the session will offer insights into the period that shaped the record. Skin will be speaking about the band’s status as one of Britain’s most influential rock groups and their journey since forming in 1994, as well as offering her views on the music industry today.
Reflecting the conference’s theme of building a sustainable career in music, emerging acts will also have a strong presence at this year’s Great Escape. In a session presented by AudioActive, rising artists Sophie Faith, Hatter, Lori Asha, and REA will be discussing how early-stage artists can elevate their careers and creative development. They’ll appear alongside established names already announced, including Jordan Stephens of Rizzle Kicks and Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins.
Dozens of new speakers have also been announced, including Ruth Barlow (Beggars Group), Nazli Yirtar (Warner Music), Kameil Sattar (Cargo Records), Eunice Obianagha (UK Music), Jasmine Takhar (BBC Asian Network), Kelly Betts (BBC Introducing), Ruvimbo Gumbochuma (composer agent/Leland), Cathy Runciman (EarthPercent), Josephine Illingworth (winner of the Tune Into Nature Music Prize), and many more.
Covering topics such as direct-to-fan tools, sync, mental health, and touring, partner panels will also be coming from: VERO Music, Audio Network, Music Support, The Spanish Wave, Pollstar, Brainchild Creative Studio and Ticketmaster New Music.
Each year the conference also spotlights emerging leaders through its Elevate professional development programme. Funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery, 21 Elevate super-delegates will receive enhanced access to the festival, alongside bespoke mentoring, invite-only seminars and curated networking opportunities.
Speed Networking will also be returning this year, presented by the UK government’s Department For Business and Trade. The rapid-fire sessions offer attendees the chance to connect with global festival bookers, live agents, music supervisors and promoters.
