Thousands of musicians, fans and industry bosses will descend on Brighton and Hove today for the annual Great Escape festival.

More than 400 artists and bands will play at 35 venues for 18,000 fans across the next three days.

The event, which also features an industry conference, is widely considered to be the biggest new music festival in Europe.

Among the former acts to play the event include Adele and fellow chart-toppers Alt-J and Bastille.

Kat Morris, festival director, said: “We are so excited about this year's line-up.

“Since its inception nine years ago, we have always maintained that the foremost objective of the festival is to produce an internationally-reaching programme that is genuinely representative of the full spectrum of emerging talent in music. I think we've achieved that.

“There is so much incredible talent out there, we are honoured to showcase as much of it as we can at The Great Escape.”

This year's event will be headlined by RnB star Kelis, popstar Example and indie rock outfit Wild Beast.

Among the other 400 acts include former Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jnr, These New Puritans and local favourites Royal Blood.

However, as usual the highlight for many will be the numerous impromptu and surprise performances.

Chart-topping Kaiser Chiefs, best known for songs Ruby and I Predict a Riot, have already been confirmed for a secret gig at a yet to be announcd time and location.

The Leeds indie-band will be one of the must see acts following their front-man's appearance as a judge on BBC talent show The Voice.

Details of their performance will be confirmed closer to the time on Twitter at @amazonmusicUK and online at www.amazon.co.uk/thegreatescape.

Dr Martens will also be putting on a series of secret gigs both in their Prince Albert Street store and in New Road.

The in-store events, which are for a maximum of just 30 people, will be announced two hours before starting.

Although organisers are keeping the acts under wraps, they have hinted they will include a 2014 Brit award nominee.

The New Road gigs will be held three times a day outside the Unitarian Church on Thursday and Friday and outside the Brighton Donut, in Kings Road, on Saturday.

Details will be announced on Twitter @drmartens under the hashtag #drmartensbrighton.

For the in-store events festival goers must collect wristbands from the store as soon as they have been announced.

Festival ticket holders can also sign up to a text service by texting ESCAPE to 84025.

For more details visit greatescapefestival.com.