[MXD Networking @ SPOT 2026] Meet Isla Mcrobbie

In the weeks leading up to SPOT Festival 2026, we’ll be introducing you to the international industry professionals who have been invited to this year’s festival by Danish artists and music companies through MXD’s new invitation pool.

Here, you can meet:

Name: Isla Mcrobbie
Company: The Great Escape Festival // The Alternative Escape
Title: Assistant Festival Booker The Great Escape Festival // Alternative Escape Coordinator
Based in: London, UK

Can you tell us a bit about the company’s history and its roster?

Sure I can – this year will be our 20th birthday (woohoo!). Having launched in 2006 TGE has grown into one of, if not the largest showcase festivals in Europe.  Each year myself and Adam (Head of Music) work to book 500 new music acts in around 35 venues across the city of Brighton. We collaborate with over 30 different country partners to showcase global talent all the way from Iceland to China.    I now also run The Alternative Escape, a free entry multi venue event which runs alongside the core programme. We collaborate with both local and international companies to curate mini showcases across six iconic pubs/bars in the city.

And can you tell us a bit about the acts you personally work with at this moment?

We work with all kinds of music artists; we aren’t bound my any genre. This year we have larger acts such as Keo, Peaches and the Kooks but as a showcase festival our core focus is on new music.

What was the moment you decided you wanted to work with music?

I love this question! When I was 13, my sister dared me to get an autograph from a famous comedian who was doing a set at this 80’s themed festival – at this point in my life I had never even seen a festival before. I slipped my way past the security and went backstage and my mind was BLOWN! Seeing the bands chatting and smoking cigarettes, and the stage production with their radios, and the tour busses, to this day I think it’s the coolest place to be. Anyway, I never got the autograph, but he did give me a hug…

Which acts are you looking forward to seeing this year at SPOT?

This weekend I will be diving into the playlist, I will certainly be seeing Von Quar again – their performance last year was incredible. Jalaeesa, Mary Anne’s Polar Rig, 100% Wet, BOABOA, that’s a few.  Last year’s stand out track was “Blush – Borderlines”

Best show you’ve ever seen hands down? 

By now I’ve seen so many. Mily Chance at reading Festival back in 2014….this must have been months after he released Sadnecessary. Black Country New Road  at the Royal Albert hall, me and my partner were in tears. Back when I managed Elmiene, his first ever live performance at a community event in Streatham, the drummer went so hard his kit fell off the stage, people were waving their shoes in the air, it was incredible.

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