Every May, Liverpool — one of the UK’s most historic music cities — becomes a launchpad for the next generation of artists as Liverpool Sound City returns with another stacked lineup of rising talent.
This weekend saw Sound City transform venues across Liverpool into an absolute buzzing showcase of emerging artists. This is a festival built around discovery — the kind where you wander between intimate rooms and come away with half a dozen new favourite bands. For our Australian readers, it carries a familiar energy too, echoing the spirit of BIGSOUND — a tight cluster of venues, quickfire sets, and the thrill of catching artists right on the cusp. It certainly achieved all this and more for this latest edition.
Even with careful planning, Sound City can feel deliciously overwhelming. Across two days, I managed to catch 19 acts — and it still felt like I’d only scratched the surface. That’s the nature of a festival like this: constant movement, tough choices, and the lingering sense that something special is always happening just around the corner. I dare not look back at the acts I missed.
Among the highlights were a pair of Australian acts flying the flag overseas. Teenage Joans, hailing from Adelaide, delivered their trademark punchy indie rock with confidence, while Fool Nelson made the journey from Western Australia for their first overseas tour — a milestone moment that felt right at home in Sound City’s discovery-driven setting. I ran into them later in the festival – lovely lads!
Another local favourite, scouse psych-rocker Michael Robert Murphy, had the Kazimier Stockroom entranced, backed by a brilliant band that elevated an already captivating set.
Saturday night was then closed out in style by Keo, the London-based four-piece formed by brothers Finn and Conor Keogh alongside Oli Spackman and Jimmy Lanwern. Drawing on a post-grunge palette, the band delivered a blistering, high-energy headline set. Weary feet were forgotten as we headed for the train home.
Sunday kept the momentum rolling, with rising star Lynnie Snow drawing a capacity crowd into the Jacaranda — one of the weekend’s most packed and sweat-soaked rooms.
As if there wasn’t enough happening indoors, Sky Valley Mistress took things to the streets, quite literally, rocking out on Slater Street with a hearse in tow — a chaotic, brilliant slice of theatre that turned heads and stopped passersby in their tracks.
Elsewhere, local favourite Brooke Combe had the crowd in the palm of her hand, even as her set was unfortunately cut short due to technical issues. She must feel cursed – the same thing happened at a festival I saw her at last year, but she made the most of her short set.
Closing out the festival was Jalen Ngonda, delivering a headline set that more than justified the late Sunday finish. With an incredible voice, effortless command of the guitar, and backed by an all-star band, Ngonda brought the weekend to a stunning close — the kind of performance that had everyone leaving on a high.
Liverpool Sound City once again proved why it remains one of the UK’s essential festivals for discovering new music. Exhausting in the best possible way, endlessly rewarding, and filled with those fleeting, unforgettable live moments — it’s the kind of weekend that reminds you why you love live music in the first place. We’re already counting down the days until next year.
Below, you’ll find Bruce’s gallery from across the weekend — a glimpse into the packed rooms, electric performances and fleeting moments that define Liverpool Sound City.
