The city was abuzz yesterday as hordes of music fans arrived in Brighton for the first day of The Great Escape, albeit with a less jam-packed line-up than usual.

It kicked off with duo Baba Ali, described as electro punk disco, whose beats could be heard in the North Laine as we headed towards the stage in Jubilee Square.

When we arrived we weren’t quite sure what we were hearing was them, though, as two protesters who had a microphone and amp and were chanting in support of Palestine in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Argus: Soph got the crowd moving with a groovy cover of Anderson .PaakSoph got the crowd moving with a groovy cover of Anderson .Paak (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

Wednesday’s opening show in Jubilee Street was originally scheduled to have five artists, all of whom pulled out amid the ongoing debate about the festival’s sponsor Barclays.

The Great Escape has come under fire for not cutting ties with the bank over its investment in companies which supply weaponry to Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Despite the loud chanting, in the crowd the sound of Baba Ali was loud and clear.

The duo, made up of New Yorker Baba Doherty and British guitarist Nik Balchin, were bold and fiery – a good way to start the festival.

Jubilee Square was one of just two venues open last night but it was still a blast, the other being the Soundwaves stage which hosted soulful pop singer Soph and indie band Bighead Tea Drinkers.

The Argus: Baba Ali performed at Jubilee SquareBaba Ali performed at Jubilee Square (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

As the sun set after a glorious sunny day in Brighton, the venue on the beach in Kemp Town came alive.

The rainbow coloured fairy lights above and food vendors around the edge really made it feel like festival season has finally arrived.

Soph, full name Sophie Sherard, got the crowd moving with a cover Anderson .Paak’s Come Down.

The Argus: The Great Escape beach venueThe Great Escape beach venue (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

The version she and her band created honoured the original’s groovy bass line and chanting vocals but added something different with Soph’s soulful sound.

She closed her set by duly thanking her brilliant band and her university, Brighton’s very own Bimm.

While much of the festival’s bill come from abroad, it was wonderful to hear great music from someone closer to home and we can’t wait to see what today brings.