2010 was the start of something special.
The Escape Records team has roots that are deeply woven into the nightclub scene of Cardiff and the surrounding cities. Starting as students working for various other event companies, the team’s passions were ignited and skills honed. As soon as they graduated from university, it was clear that working for corporate companies in the city was never going to work so together they formed their own small business. In 2010, Adam Gore and Mark Hopkins put their creative minds together alongside a determined work ethic to begin a journey like no other in South Wales.
In 2014, the team began to grow.
After a few years of club nights around Cardiff and summers spent holding events in Plymouth, Loughborough and Swansea, Adam and Mark injected new blood into the company and hired Callum. Callum initially began as a brand rep and in his 10 years at the company has done everything from selling tickets to operating the logistics at the UKs largest festival. He has become an ingrained member of the team.
In 2016, Colour Clash was born.
Not content with just club shows, the team wanted more. What started out as a chat over dinner, by the time it was over, they had 13 weeks to plan and put on the first ever Colour Clash at Rodney Parade. Immediately offering something new and different, the music community welcomed these parties with open arms and so Inside Out in Cardiff quickly followed, making an instant impact and achieving consistent growth and success since its inception. 8 years later, Colour Clash remains Newport's favourite festival with an incredibly loyal community behind it.
Another long standing face joins the team.
From a fresh-faced 1st year to our head designer, Lewis began his tenure at Escape by attending our events. Forming a strong bond with Adam, Mark and Callum, he was onboarded as our tech-wizz and head designer. He has had his hands in every event we've put on for the last 7 years and is now spearheading our brand new record label. Lewis is an integral member of the team and during festival season you can catch him behind the decks!
New creative blood took things up a level.
If you've ever entered one of our events and wondered who the creative genius behind the decor was then let us introduce Laura. She joined the team in 2018 and has spent the last 5 years creating exquisite decor and themed events that have serviced thousands of people. She has become a crucial part of the company and one of our longest standing members of staff.
Resurrecting an integral part of Swansea's history
Escape in Swansea has since followed, with the team taking over the reins of the legacy brand in 2020 after a nine-year hiatus, breathing new life into one of the country’s most loved events, heavily credited for driving the emergence of dance music and the culture which went with it across the late 90s and beyond.
With new additions came further growth.
With growth in mind, 2020 came and so did Alex Chesterton-Matt and James Quirke. Offering a 'cooler' outlook on the events industry, by teaming up Escape dominated the events landscape in Wales. At this stage, the company had 13 weekly events and a number of festivals under their belt and was firmly cementing its place as the biggest events company in the country.
New creative energy joined our next chapter
Our family keeps on growing, evolving from a tight-knit team of 5 into a dynamic and thriving group of 30, each new addition bringing fresh energy, ideas, and a shared commitment to our journey together.
From a dream to the UKs Biggest Family Festival in 3 Short Years...
What began as a dream in the pandemic, In It Together was created to bring people back together, no matter their age or what music they listened to. After its inaugural event in 2022 and welcoming 20,000 people, the event has gone from strength to strength, a testiment to the impressive skillset and workforce behind it. In just 3 short years, the festival is now Wales's biggest and officially overtook its competitors to become to the UKs biggest family festival.
Visions of the future...
The collective has always strived to surround themselves and work with an array of amazing and creative people who are the heartbeat of what the brand stands for. Escape was very much a vision for the future. In 2024, the team launched the UK's Newest Festival Together Again and an inaugural event in Malta, the team has further plans to expand across the UK and beyond.
