09 Sep 2026
A one day music festival featuring 10 of the best emerging artists in the alternative music scene is returning to St Albans next week.
Escape to the City is back by popular demand for its second year at The Pioneer Club on Saturday September 12, with a line-up of acts including Home Counties, Prima Queen, Punchbag and local band Pearlescent.
The event is being by local music fan and promoter James Berrecloth, who decided to fulfil his dream of being part of the music industry after retiring from a career in banking.
Escape to the City spans The Pioneer’s two stages with five artists on each stage and alternating performances. The theme for this year is “fun” with artists styles ranging from alt-rock to cheeky indie and alt-pop.
So who are the different acts performing?
Home Counties (main photo): Returning with their second album Humdrum, a sharp, dance-driven evolution produced by Al Doyle of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, with restless grooves and twitchy synths dissecting the chaos of modern life with wit and precision. Dual vocalists Will Harrison and Lois Kelly explore jealousy, self-doubt and overthinking while balancing melancholy and euphoria.
Prima Queen: A transatlantic indie-pop/indie-folk duo composed of best friends Louise Macphail (based in the UK) and Kristin McFadden (based in Chicago). Known for their melodic songwriting, vulnerable lyricism, and soft yet powerful soundscapes, the duo has drawn comparisons to artists like HAIM and Big Thief. Their music is a mix of indie-pop, indie-folk, and soft rock, characterised by rich harmonies, diaristic lyrics, and a mix of gentle melodies and angsty, guitar-driven indie.
Punchbag: Colliding the raw unfiltered energy of punk, with the overflowing ecstasy of pop, emerges a new electrifying brother-sister duo from South London. With fierce tempos and ferocious energy, their music is an explosively cathartic release of raw intensity and unapologetic fun.
Disgusting Sisters: A chaotic electronic pop rock duo of real-life sisters Jules and Josie, bonded by emo music, dyed hair, campsite summers, and a shared obsession with horror movies and cult TV, now making loud, weird and emotionally charged bangers inspired by their teenage playlists, sibling chaos, and their favourite dysfunctional billionaires.
jo from school: An emerging music artist known for her folk-inspired sound, active social media presence and for performing live across the UK. She is preparing to release her first single.
Lonnie Gunn: Blending uncomfortable Lynchian atmospherics against a backdrop of ‘90s bone crush guitars, deranged and detuned synthesisers and 2000s emo drama – her deeply confessional vocals veering between childlike innocence and a desperate, howling intensity.
ugly ozo: The anxious brainchild of artist Jessica Baker, ugly ozo is the sonic diary of a chronic oversharer, laying bare the most confronting corners of the female experience, and taking inspiration from the likes of The Breeders, Wolf Alice, Autolux and NewDad.
Woman Wept: The whoresome foursome from London, bringing resting bitch face punk to every stage that will have them. Their signature sound shifts indie melodies into a gritty gear, every guitar lick, lyric, bass line and crash tastefully created to make the patriarchy’s toes curl.
Pearlescent: Known for their introspective take on classic British indie, Pearlescent are a four piece band straight out of Stevenage. Finalists of JuiceBox Live’s Battle of the Bands final 2026.
Natsuma: Taking inspiration from the rock greats; Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, RHCP and Prince in tandem with her deep love of underground artists like Jai Paul, Natsuma’s self-produced sound is new, inexplicably addictive, free and vibrant.
Organiser James said: “Escape to the City 2025 was the first time I had organised such a one-day music festival. It was steep learning curve, but was a challenge I really enjoyed. I learnt a lot about how best to engage artists and deal with their agents, as well as the logistics of the day itself.
“The event itself was a great success, but I knew I could do better so I decided to do it all again in 2026. I gathered feedback from both the artists and the audience on what went well and what could be improved. Overall, the feedback was very positive but there were a number of things that could be improved and are being addressed for 2026 by myself and The Pioneer Club.
“I’ve been joined by two other like minded friends, Shaun and Chris, which has helped to spread the load (phew!).
“As per last year, all artists are personally selected with Shaun and Chris’ support. They are all amazing artists who are at the beginning of their careers in the music industry and have the potential to make it big. See them first here before they get blow up!”
Pioneer Club music and commercial director Jon Prayer added: “We are delighted to have Escape to the City back for 2026, what James is doing to bring these bands together across one day is amazing. The lineup this year is really strong yet again with acts that are generating a lot of positive press up and down the country so to have so many of them here in St Albans on one day is really impressive, especially for such a low ticket price!
“It will be a challenge for Pioneer and especially our engineers! We have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure we are fully prepared for this and that it’s going to be an amazing day. ”So grab a ticket, come along, and support live music in your local grassroots music venue.”
This year’s Escape to the City is 14+ with discounted tickets available for under 18s. Food and refreshments are available on the day. Buy tickets here.
