poppedmusic

Liverpool Sound City 2019

3rd-5th May 2019 – various venues, Liverpool

Buy tickets here

Words: Gary Lambert

The jewel in the crown of the Liverpool music year is always Sound City. Since the original spell of growth of the festival took it from the original home in the city centre, the festival has been searching for a new identity and this year it seems to have found what could be the best fit yet. There is a balance between headliners that stand out for their freshness in Mabel and Loyle Carner, and a heavy support of the Liverpool music scene. It really feels like it is LIVERPOOL Sound City this year. One of the best things about this year’s festival is the amount of bands playing in each venue. For those who like to get themselves comfortable in one location rather than bounce from stage to stage, there will be more than enough to entertain you at your preferred bar. It’s also a sign of the quality of the festival that they have afternoon headliners too in Shame and Clean Cut Kid.

As usual, we have some picks of bands we think you must make time to watch whilst there.

ONES TO WATCH:

Saturday

King No-One

Dramatic and theatrical as well as able to grab you with some fantastic indie rock tunes, the best buskers in the UK (they regularly play on the streets for coins before gigs) have the potential to do great things in the future. They have an instant headliner vibe, so it is worth seeing them whilst you’re still able to see the whites of their eyes.

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False Advertising

The Manchester-based three piece are one of the jewels in the crown of the British rock scene with as a furious mix of rock and the accessibility of pop music. Their recent release You Won’t Feel Love has had play on Radio 1 such is the quality of it. I’m certain that False Advertising will be feeling the love from their crowd during the set.

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Spinn

This is going to be one of the gigs of the summer. This Liverpool-based four piece are releasing their debut album the day before this set, and it is an absolute cracker. Mixing the traditional Liverpool pop sensibilities of The La’s and Lightning Seeds with an arty shoegaze foundation, you will be taken into their spell as soon as it hits your ears.

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Sunday

Saltwater Sun

One of our favourite bands, they are going to play songs that sound complex and intelligent, but will make you dance rather than nod your head. Singer Jen has a voice that is both gruff and beautiful, like sandpaper made of diamonds.

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Vistas

Now if ever there is a way to encapsulate my view on what Popped Music sounds like it is the instant indie classics that this Scottish band seem able to release whenever the mood takes them. As soon as you hear songs like Tigerblood, you’ll think that you have known them for years.

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The Magic Gang

One of my favourite live acts over the last few years, they are constantly going from strength to strength with a confidence that belies the fact that they are only one album into their career. The band play with a strength and poise that will make you think Hangar 34 is Liverpool’s arena.

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