13 Sep 2025
There is just a week to go until the first Escape to the City all-dayer at St Albans’ iconic Pioneer Club – a showcase for new up-and-coming local talent alongside exciting bands from further afield.
The event, on Saturday September 20 and sponsored by EYES on St Albans, is organised by local music fan and promoter James Berrecloth, and will see 13 bands across two stages, all playing alternative music.
He said: “I can’t believe the event is only a few days away now. The excitement is certainly ramping up and I can’t wait to see the fruits of my labour on the day.
“I still can’t get over the quality of the line-up we have. I’m sure I’ve said this before, but all the acts are amazing. If you haven’t heard of them, then please have a listen to the Spotify playlist #escapetothecity2025. Hope to see you all there!!”
Ahead of the event, we caught up with some of the artists to find out what their expectations are and what audiences can expect from their performance.
Former Sandringham student Leona Rue, who grew up in Marshalswick, produces indie pop/rock rooted in a folky singer songwriter background, having grown up listening to artists like Joni Mitchell and Simon and Garfunkel.
“I try to keep my music authentic and let me personality show on social media; it’s nice when you can get to know your audience and they can get to know you. My influences are rooted in older songwriters but also Taylor Swift who was the first concert I ever went to! I think she’s a big reason that I got into writing.”
Escape to the City will be her first gig in her hometown: “I’m really looking forward to playing with my band again.
“I think a song can be elevated so much by a live performance, often vocally I put way more emotion in there and it’s so nice to see when people relate to that! it’s also a lot of fun, a time when you’re completely present and aren’t thinking about anything else.”
Grunge-punk and Riot Grrrl rock powerhouse Bridget. [the full stop is part of her name] is a newbie to the city: “I have never been to St Albans and I’m a massive history nerd. Also the acts on this line-up are incredible, fierce and I’m just happy to be sharing a stage with them all! I wonder what the punters will make of us all…
“For me, it’s the vulnerable level of intimacy you can access with an audience. It’s deemed weird and strange to get right up close to people in the street but yet at a show I can stare into people’s eyes, they can see every expression, movement, the sweat and spit- it’s awesome and hate to say it but- gnarly!!! I love feeding off of energy as a crowd feeds off of mine.
“I love to catch other artists and bands at shows I am playing myself, artists I truly adore like Deftones and Amyl and The Sniffers I’ll venture out to the big cities for. I prefer smaller arena venues and intimate shows. My influences span anywhere from Skunk Anansie to Lady GaGa – any artists and bands who really don’t care about any opinions on them and just gets on with their art – I have always been drawn to those types of characters in the music scene.”
Also from St Albans are Kodi, whose bass player George Batten grew up here, attending Verulam before heading to BIMM Brighton where he met vocalist Tom and drummer Joey, all three of them now living locally.
The alt-indie rock band, who include Catfish and the Bottlemen, Stereophonics and The 1975 among their influences, are big supporters of the local music scene, as George explained: “The St Albans scene is super close knit and has always been great for producing some incredible artists including the likes of The Zombies, Enter Shikari and Trash Boat.
“In terms of new artists, one of our favourites are High Regard who are absolutely smashing it at the moment! We’ve also been introduced to some great new artists by getting involved with the Escape to the City 2025 lineup, Leona Rue especially is a new favourite!
“There’s also MustBeJohn (indie-pop/garage), Laughter (shoegaze-rock), Negative Frame (Hardcore/Metal), Limmz (grime/DnB MC) – there’s really some awesome artists in the local community smashing it and growing within their scene.
“There’s some great venues in St Albans, and much like most of the local scene, we’ve always been closely tied with The Horn and The Pioneer Club.
“It’s so sad to see how many venues are closing in this day and age, it’s such a sad sign of the times we’re living in. That said, we’re super thankful to all the people that are continuously fighting to keep grassroots venues alive and breathing, with a special shoutout to Music Venue Trust who are doing some incredible work!”
Apart from performing in front of a local audience, they’re also looking forward to seeing some of the other acts: There’s so many bands that we can’t wait to see for the first time! James has put together such an incredible lineup and we’re honoured to be involved. We really can’t encourage people enough to get down to the show to come find your new favourite act whilst supporting the local and wider grassroots scene.”
London-based alt-pop artist Kitz Fitz said she is looking forward to performing at an independent venue she hasn’t played at before: “I love how terrifying and vulnerable it can be [in front of a live audience], but it is so rewarding to put yourself out there and feel the support of a crowd, it really pushes you to make that connection and it always reminds me of why I started doing this in the first place.
“The sound of someone singing along to your songs is like nothing else!!
“I’m also lookin forward to seeing artists that I’ve heard of and wanted to check out before like Lilith Ai and The Itch, as well as playing with Picture Parlour and lilo!”
She explained that the genre of her music has fluctuated over the years: “The territory I’m sitting in right now feels like a mixture between indie pop and alternative music. I used to feel way more poppy, but I’m making the move into more of a band-y vibe, punctuated by some more laid back piano driven ballads.”
She said it’s incredibly difficult to stand out in the music industry these days as it becomes more saturated.
“Social media has destroyed the climate a bit. I have always believed in just being earnest and honest, true to my vision even if that changes genre or style or message.
“People can see straight through anything posed or gimmicky. I guess I’m not massively interested in raising my profile or realistically living off my music alone, but just moving forward with the hope that it will reach the people who need or want to hear it most! I thrive so much off having this small community of very enthusiastic and devoted listeners.”
Sophie Coppin of Y, whose output is described as “wonk rock”, “Gameboy thrash” and even “Egyptian wedding music”, says they have no trouble standing out from the crowd: “Not with these beautiful haircuts!”
She cites Sly and the Family Stone, Megadeth and the Taxi Driver soundtrack as all being very influential in their music, and wants to know what St Albans has to offer them apart from a good cathedral.
“As with all gigs, it’s all about the audience. It’s the unknown, it’s never the same twice and it’s the element of surprise, rising to the occasion.”
Alternative powerhouse artist Dear Tash, who describes herself as a fusion of alternative pop/rock with elements of gothic synth wave, is beyond excited to be appearing: “The line-up, so many incredible bands I’ve played with before and so many that I’m desperate to see, so as much as I’m gassed to play – I’m really looking forward to seeing the other bands!”
Watching other artists is a mission statement, it would seem: “There is so much great music happening all across London, from underground places to the bigger stadiums – it’s hard to not be out every single night at a different show!”
So what is it she loves about being in front of the audience as opposed to part of them? “I’m actually not sure I have the words to say what makes it so special, but the feeling that’s generated between everyone in that room is unlike anything else. I can’t explain it, it just is – so come down and join us!”
Find out more at https://www.twohatsmanagement.co.uk/two-hats-festival-2025
For tickets visit: https://wegottickets.com/event/660035
