If you asked a hundred Americans which city is the UK’s music capital, a good proportion would probably go for Liverpool.
Love or hate John, Paul, George and the drummer, they built quite a US/Liverpudlian legacy. John Peel’s illustrious DJ career only ever began because he was living in Dallas at the height of Beatlemania.
Thirty-five years on and a delegation from Liverpool are about to put that bond to good use. Liverpool Sound City staged their first, hugely successful conference beneath the Liver Birds last year, and in advance of the sequel they’re taking a few of the North-West’s more promising acts across the pond on a short showcase tour. The Courteeners and The Hot Melts will kick off at New York’s Mercury Lounge on March 17th, they’ll then be joined by The Whip and Wave Machines at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, on the 19th, before a yet-to-be announced line-up hits Hollywood’s legendary Viper Rooms on April 2nd.
Having ‘taken’ the States, LSC will then bring some of America’s finest acts back to the UK for their eagerly-anticipated sophomore festival, which takes place across thirty Liverpudlian venues from 20th-23rd May. Magnificently inventive Maryland outfit Animal Collective head up the US contingent, with able support from popular Kentucky types Cage The Elephant and shoegazing Georgians Deerhunter (see Rock Trumps). Nearer home, local boys The Hot Melts will again be on hand, alongside Blackpool top pop tip Little Boots, Sheffield supergroup Mongrel and hot Londoners White Lies.
Four-hundred acts will perform at the LSC in all, and a four-day pass costs just £60 (advance), or £80 on the door. A host of seminars will also be announced shortly, aimed at the “svengalis, mavericks, dream-makers and shapers of tomorrow”. If that sounds like you, you’ll be wanting a combined festival and conference pass, priced at £120. Head along to www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk for all your pass needs.
That done, check www.ClashMusic.com for updates on this year’s Clash involvement. Last year’s party was, well, sound.
