Sound City returns to Liverpool in May showcasing the best in emerging and acclaimed talent from across the globe. Having previously announced acts such as The Walkmen, Reverend and the Makers, Toy and more.
The festival today unveils a further plethora of exceptional musical talent. Now officially the first festival of the year, Sound City is the discerning music lovers opportunity to catch the world's most exciting new talent, up close and personal, in one place before they hit the summer festival circuit and is a snapshot of everything that is vital in music right now.
Dexys are the quintessential English band who released 'One Day I'm Going To Soar', their fourth studio album, in 2012. Their first since 1985, the album and live shows were hugely well received by critics and fans. The band will play a very special show in the city's beautiful Anglican Cathedral, the first time Liverpool Sound City will use this iconic building.
Enter Shikari are one of the biggest and best rock acts in the country. Their album 'A Flash Flood Of Colour' was voted number 1 album of the year by Kerrang in 2012. Their post hardcore sound has gained them legions of fans who always ensure a raucous and sweaty mosh pit wherever they play. The band is used to playing huge venues and this 14+ show will be one of the most tumultuous at Sound City. Psychedelic garage rock comes courtesy of US act Thee Oh Sees whose riot sparking shows hinge upon guitar chewing, melody maiming front man, John Dwyer.
Mount Kimbie have developed a truly unique sound where experimental rhythms play on the fringes of dubstep, wonky and hip hop and ooze with emotion. Their echoing, ambient soundscapes take the audience on a true sonic journey. The elusive Future Of The Left only tour sporadically, so their badass, intense set is not to be missed. Theirs is the brooding menace of a band who truly wear their hearts on their sleeves.
London based duo, AlunaGeorge are the name on everyone's lips in 2013. Having been together for barely a year, this talented duo's infectious mixes are immersed in sweet harmonies and electronic charm. Nominated for both the BBC Sound of 2013 and the Brits Critics Choice award, catch them at Sound City before they go stratospheric.
King Krule is South East London's rough jewel. A very talented young man, his unexpected deep and mournful baritone is disappointment and disillusionment personified. His first tour was a sell out, he's (slowly) breaking America having been a standout performance at CMJ, and his show at the Pitchfork Festival made him the talk of Paris. King Krule's time is now so catch him at Sound City first.
Darkstar's music is for the early hours after a devastating night before and their much anticipated new album, 'News From Nowhere' is due on Warp Records in February. Unknown Mortal Orchestra are from the US and New Zealand and their music captures encapsulates the psychedelic majesty of fellow antipodeans Tame Impala and fellow West coasters Ariel Graffiti.
Local Liverpool band, Outfit are set to be huge in 2013 and their synth tinged guitar pop has seen them described as a 'Chillwave New Order' by the Guardian.
Sound City last year provided a first chance for new music lovers to see acts such as Mercury Music Prize winners Alt-J, Jake Bugg and Django Django before the bands released critically and commercially acclaimed albums later in the year and this year's batch of fresh faced young talent includes Solely, Theme Park, Amateur Best, Marmozets, Hacktivist, Mind Enterprises, Dan Croll and Brolin as well as a showcase from the much celebrated label, Double Denim Records.
Described as a "Social Media Hellraiser" by The New York Times, Jon Morter is best known for his gatecrashing of the music industry in 2009 with his phenomenal 'Rage Against The X Factor' campaign, sweeping Rap/Metal band Rage Against The Machine into the sought after UK Christmas No.1 spot. His carefully executed plan not only outsold the previously unbeatable X Factor single, but broke a Guinness chart record in the process as well as raising over £150,000 for charity. This success opened the door for Jon to work on campaigns for some big artists in the industry including Nirvana, Sex Pistols, Rod Stewart, a No.1 album for The Rolling Stones, plus the 2012 Christmas No.1 campaign for The Justice Collective in aid of the Hillsborough families. Jon was also instrumental in the campaign to save BBC 6 Music.
Jon also infamous for creating the 'Condescending Corporate Brand', a cheeky swipe at large companies trying to 'do' social media and his presence at the Sound City conference is a real coup for the event and is sure to provide a witty and perceptive look at social media engagement for bands and brands.
As part of its conference which is open to the public, Sound City will be giving young artists and musicians valuable insights into making it in the industry by presenting Q and A's with acts who have huge experience of the highs and lows of the music industry. Tracey Thorn, whose music career spans three decades and takes in the defining genres of recent decades: post-punk, indie, pop, trip hop and dance is confirmed for a Q and A. Liverpool's biggest music export of the last decade have been The Wombats and lead singer Murph and manager Simon Bobbet will be giving a candid insight into the unique relationship between a band and its manager.
Acclaimed for its bold and innovative programming and forward thinking conference, Liverpool Sound City is focused on the future, intent on bringing the best new music, film, art and more from all over the world to Liverpool.
Liverpool Sound City brings established acts to intimate venues and introduces you to tomorrow's headliners today. With hundreds more bands, pop culture initiatives and a conference programme to be unveiled, Liverpool Sound City is the UK's premier cultural happening.
Published on 31 January 2013 by Ben Robinson
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