Celebrating an incredible 10 years, the Sound City team have pulled out a blinding line up to commemorate the festival’s special birthday. With less than two weeks to go, organisers have revealed a stellar itinerary of top class bands, seminars and special performances all descending on Clarence Docks from May 25-28th.
Proving you don’t need to dig out your wellies and a tent to revel in festival season, more than 200 live acts will take to the post-industrial landscape of Clarence Docks right on the Liverpool waterfront. Over the bank holiday weekend, attendees can expect to watch the sunset across the River Mersey soundtracked by rising talent and established heavy-weights (we’re sold!).
Adding two extra nights to festivities, the ambitious line up opens with synth-pop pioneers The Human League headlining the main stage on Thursday night. The bill boasts a smorgasbord of electronica including A Certain Ratio and Art of Noise featuring Dudley/Jeczalik/Lanagan – their first live show in 25 years.
Friday night sees John Cale present an exclusive UK performance of the iconic Velvet Underground and Nico to mark its 50th year. It promises to be a memorable gig with Clinic, Fat White Family, Gruff Rhys, The Kills and Wild Beasts all joining Cale on stage. Alongside curating one of the most highly-anticipated sets of the weekend, the musician will also be in conversation at Sound City on Saturday afternoon to discuss the early days of Velvet Underground, his relationship with Lou Reed and an eventful career to date.
In addition, the main stage will play home to Metronomy, The Kooks, The Kills, Slaves, White Lies and Local Natives. Previously crowned best festival for emerging talent, Sound City remains dedicated to showcasing a new crop of upcoming acts from across the UK, and as a result, the schedule exhibits a diverse array of exciting material. Some names to watch out for include Fickle Friends, Jalen N’Gonda, The Japanese House, Glass Caves, Xam Volo and The Vryll Society.
Tim Burgess returns for another year with Tim Peaks Diner offering the ultimate oasis of damn good coffee and a plethora of musical delights, such as The Rhythm Method, Tom Mouse Smith and Nev Cottee. Whilst Sunday will see Burgess take to the stage with Charlatan’s guitarist Mark Collins for a special performance.
Not only about the live music, Sound City+ will feature a series of debates, workshops and talks from luminaries including Ramones manager Danny Fields, techno DJ and producer Andrew Weatherall and founding member of Big Audio Dynamite, Don Letts. These guest panels are a prime opportunity for festival revellers to hear some industry insights from the cognoscenti.
And for when you want the party to end, there’s a surplus of after parties lined up at the Invisible Wind Factory and North Shore Troubadour – both just a short walk from the festival site.
For ticket information and further updates, visit Sound City’s official website here and follow @SoundCity.
Photo Credit: Andy Hughes
