The Road To The Great Escape – the two-day festival returns to Dublin this May

Ahead of its 2026 return, the first round of artists have been announced for The Road To The Great Escape. The two-day festival is taking place on Monday 11^th and Tuesday 12^th May 2026 in venues across Dublin including Whelan’s, The Grand Social, and The Workman’s Club.

The Road To The Great Escape blends the best of rising Irish talent with some of the most exciting newcomers from across the world. 

From an international perspective, this year’s festival will feature rising London grunge revival group Villanelle andAmerican singer-songwriter Em Beihold amongst many others.

Irish acts include Babyratwith their razor-sharp riffs, anthemic choruses and the kind of edge that power-pop has been missing and Dundalk rapper Reggie who has rapidly evolved from a rising local talent into one of the most compelling new forces in contemporary music. Blending hip-hop, R&B, and electronic influences with fearless creativity.

The Road To The Great Escape

Monday 11^th & Tuesday 12^th May 2026

2 Day Ticket

Various Venues
Whelan’s, The Grand Social, and The Workman’s Club.

Doors 19.30 | 18’s+

Elle Coves
Jessica Baio
Em Beihold
Villanelle
Little Grandad
Babyrat
Sell Everything
Jamie McIntyre
Steinza
Dermot Henry
Heidi Curtis
Dirty Blond
Brodie Barclay
Reggie
Sugaboo
Mustbejohn

Tickets from €28.95 (inc booking fee & venue facility fee) from Ticketmaster.ie.
Bookings subject to 12.5% service charge per ticket (max €10.50)