At the dawn of British rock ‘n’ roll Liverpool had their very own scene, Merseybeat, twenty years before their Lancashire neighbours bounced back with Madchester. Now their rich heritage and riotous present are about to be recognised with Liverpool Sound City, showcasing the finest new talent from near and far, and chewing the fat in between.
Over thirty venues across the city will throb with activity across four hectic days and nights. Two hundred bands will play everywhere from the legendary Cavern Club to a converted car park. Several labels will run showcases, including Domino Recordings who will feature Sons And Daughters and Lightspeed Champion.
Surely the most arousing evening will be the Clash live experience at the Liverpool Barfly on Thursday 29th. The line-up is as feisty as you’d expect, with buzzworthy DFA outfit Hercules And Love Affair, madcap Nottinghamshire brainboxes Late Of The Pier and genuine genius Four Tet heading things up, while Brooklyn experimental types Telepathe, folky torch-singer Florence And The Machine and Swedish outfit The Field provide support.
The aforementioned Scouse/Manc rivalry is one of the themes under discussion at the many conferences also taking place during the event. Industry bigwigs and opinionated celebs will converge on the city and discuss the ever-evolving music business, with topics ranging from the weighty to the potentially fiery. Punk journalist John Robb, for instance, will be hosting the big Liverpool vs. Manchester debate, as rival factions deliberate on which is the most productive city, music-wise. There’s also a conference discussing the relevance of conferences. Delegates include New Order’s Peter Hook, The Smith’s Andy Rourke and Mike McCormack, deputy manager of Universal.
Liverpool Sound City runs from 27th to 30th May, and we’ve got five pairs of passes to give away.
