This year marks the 15th Anniversary of Sound City, the Liverpool music festival which has provided the city with some truly unforgettable music moments.
Emerging across the streets of Liverpool back in 2008 as a heralded celebration of new and exciting music, Sound City has become an essential date in the diary for music fans far and wide to come together and discover the sounds of the future.
Its storied alumni who have made those first steps at Sound City reads as a who’s who of the biggest and brightest names in modern music (from the likes of Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, The xx, Alt-J and Courtney Barnett to The Wombats, Royal Blood, Catfish & The Bottlemen and many more).
Continuing to champion and elevate the sounds that’ll come to define the years ahead, the festival has provided a spotlight for thousands of local, independent musicians and bands to perform to large crowds, supporting well-established national and international acts.
Here we’ll take a closer look at the 2022 festival line up starting with the headliners.
Sound City 2022: The Headliners
The Lathums
The Lathums have had a meteoric rise to fame over the last few years. The Wigan quartet released their debut album, How Beautiful Life Can Be, a week before Sound City 2021 and performed on stage with their #1 Album trophy on the Sunday of the festival! It’s impossible not to love The Lathums and their infectiously catchy songs. Do not miss them!
Self Esteem
Previously an indie-folk singer with Slow Club, Rebecca Lucy Taylor is now a fully fledged pop superstar, performing under the name of Self Esteem. The inspiration for her stage name comes from Taylor’s growing confidence over the years. Taylor now feels like her authentic self, with RnB influences, electro-beats and personal and highly relatable lyrics.
Ones To Watch
Yard Act
Leeds band, Yard Act, are set for an incredible year following their majorly successful debut album release. The politically charged album, entitled The Overload, reached number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and has since scored the band some high profile gigs including Sound City and Coachella Festival.
Alfie Templeman
Growing up around music, Alfie Templeman had an early start to his career, producing and releasing demos at just 13 years of age. He burst onto the professional scene as a solo artist in 2018, and has since released four EPs under Chess Club Records. Templeman’s debut album, Mellow Moon, is set for release on 27th May.
Sad Boys Club
Indie Rock, Emo-influenced four-piece, Sad Boys Club, are back for their second appearance at Sound City. The London-based band recently released an EP, I’m Not Afraid of The Death (But I Am Afraid of The Dying), and they are excited to play some of the tracks to the Sound City crowd. Check out our full interview with them here.
Brooke Combe
Edinburgh’s Brooke Combe rose to social media stardom as a bedroom cover artist following a string of viral cover videos. A whirlwind of opportunities such as signing contracts and working with big names in Liverpool’s Parr Street Studios soon followed, eventually leading to the release of the songstress’ debut original single, Are You With Me? With a repertoire of original music and professionally recorded covers under her belt, Combe is sure to set Sound City alight.
CRAWLERS
Another one for the Emos, CRAWLERS have skyrocketed over the last year. The Alt-Rock band from Merseyside have built up an adoring, loyal and diverse fanbase that the band credit their success to. Already this year, CRAWLERS have signed to Polydor Records and secured a support slot for the Warrington date of the long-awaited My Chemical Romance reunion tour.
Sound City 2022 – The Details
Sound City 2022 takes place in Liverpool across the weekend of 30th April – 1st May for a monster of a 15th Anniversary celebration.
After a brief relocation to Bramley Moore Docks, the festival returns to its roots, taking over city centre venues to host a mammoth amount of the hottest names in new music. Jimmys, EBGBs, Arts Club and Kazimier Stockroom are amongst the many local venues involved in this year’s festival.
The Charlatans’ legend Tim Burgess is also bringing back Tim Peaks Diner, a Sound City staple, to showcase some hand-selected emerging artists. And if there’s still gas in your tank after a jam-packed day of live music, there will also be a selection of Sound City after parties to choose from to take you into the early hours.
At just £55 for the full weekend, Sound City 2022 tickets are on their last release, so grab yours here before they’re gone!