Full press release below:

Tuesday, June 4th – The Great Escape Festival has announced today that the experimental rap-punk band AGGRASOPPAR won the prestigious Steve Strange Award for the latest edition of the festival. Voted by the thousands of industry delegates who attend the event every year, the award is dedicated to new or existing acts from The Great Escape line-up, who are seen to be breaking the status quo in music and pushing boundaries across musicality and performance.
Named after the late legendary music agent and founder of X-Ray Touring, the Steve Strange Award recognises individuals who embody creativity and innovation in the music industry.

AGGRASOPPAR, who delivered two explosive shows at this year’s edition of the festival, clearly embody the definition of boundary-pushing and uncompromising creativity, with their unique blend of spoken word, punk, pop, electronic, and avant-garde hip hop, which they identify as “Flower-Punk / Axe-Killer-Pop”, along with their engaging and energetic performances.

Earlier this year, they released their new double concept album, “døgurðaslang / MIDNÁTTARSANG”, with the second instalment and B-side of the album dropping in March. In addition, they will play a series of shows in Europe in summer and early autumn.

Learning about the award, AGGRASOPPAR said they are in "total shock. Hadn't even considered that we were going to get the award. Thank you, everyone, for voting for us! We are overwhelmed and excited for the future. This will be a great step forward for us, both financially and with regards to building up a reputation. We have a bunch of shows in Europe coming up, see you there!"

Adam Ryan, head of bookings at The Great Escape, added: “The Steve Strange Award is voted for by the music lovers that attend The Great Escape Festival, people that have a passion for discovering and supporting new artists and their music. I first saw Aggrasoppar while attending G! Festival in 2023 in small record shop, TUTL, where I was taken back by their passion and energy. I'm over the moon for Aggrasoppar and hope they can put the bursary to good use.”

About AGGRASOPPAR

Comprised of Dania O. Tausen, Eyðfinn Bogason Lamhauge, and Trygvi Danielsen, Aggrasoppar [Agg:rah:soh:parr] is a Faroese “flowerpunk naprap semi-supergroup” which erupted from the societal slumber of 2020 and released its 20-song-strong debut album on Christmas Eve 2020. They are infamous for their energetic live performances where you never know what to expect from their surprisingly big and diverse repertoire – everything from harsh noise to soft country.

Aggrasoppar’s music covers a wide variety of genres and moods, all bound together by the playful weirdness of the production and performances of the three core members who go by the pseudonyms Ayphinn, Dada, and Sóljudrongur. It is defined as “uncomfortably cute, lovingly gross and freshly awkward.” With unconventional lyrics and instrumentals, Aggraasoppar have taken the underground by storm with their soaring, rough, dreaming, nightmarish music on their self-titled debut album, “æðrasoppar”.

About the Steve Strange Award
The Great Escape Festival launched The Steve Strange Award, in honour of the late live agent and co-founder of X-Ray Touring Steve Strange, in 2022.

The Award, which happens annually, recognises a music act that is breaking through creative boundaries in the music industry and is announced right after each edition of the Festival. The winning act is voted on by the thousands of industry delegates that attend the event every year.

Widely respected as one of the greatest live agents and legendary figures in the music industry, Steve Strange was responsible for developing the careers of some of music’s greatest acts. Strange’s artist roster included the likes of Eminem, Coldplay, Queens of the Stone Age, Phoebe Bridgers and more.

Universally known and hugely respected, Strange was regarded as having the best ears in the music industry and known by many for his creative spirit.

The Great Escape Festival marks the extraordinary career of Steve Strange and his life-long dedication to artists with the award.