The Soundest City in the North West: Liverpool Sound City Review

Words: Darci Jackson

Photos: Izzi Glover

Sound City Festival descended on Liverpool during the first of the May Bank Holiday weekends, bringing with it plenty of music, excitement and energy.

This year’s lineup consisted of some of the most hotly tipped artists of the year, namely The Molotovs, MT Jones and headliners Keo, whilst also opening the door for those next in line like Little Grandad, Bleech 9:3 and The Rolling People.

As such a close-knit music scene, Liverpool always feels like such a welcoming environment, enveloping you in its wide and warm arms. The community and friendliness is unmatched, and as returning fans this year, it was a pleasure to embrace such a feeling.

The bustling city was like stepping off a plane in a warm country, hitting you as soon as we emerged from the train. The chatter and excitement was electric, the buzz bouncing wall to wall in Concert Square as the Sound Citizens eagerly discussed their schedules for the day.

Time and time again will we say, but having venues so close together and so easily accessible is one of our favourite things about Sound City. No longer is the trying to cut down a 15-minute-walk to five minutes to try and catch the last song, or clashes scuppering your plans. Well, we can’t say for certain that there was none of that, but the proximity and ease in which the festival is situated makes the whole experience feel much smoother and easier to navigate.

Our first port of call, and opening the gates to Sound City 2026 was London’s Saint Clair. The alt rock four-piece opened the Rock Revival Stage in The Tunnel, a place that was nothing short of heaving for the entire weekend. They pounded their way through debut single, Too Young To Notice, a deep, angsty tune with a thumping bass and whirring guitars, whilst also playing demos that fans sung back completely fixated.

Perhaps the hotspot of the weekend, there was a feeling in the air at The Tunnel that this was the place to find the bands that in just a short time will be headlining these kinds of festivals. By the fact that it was near on impossible to get a spot to see some of the other artists (morningstar, Bleech 9:3 and Cherryholt), we’re confident that those artists have very bright futures to come.

We caught up with Scouse alternative band morningstar to chat about the Liverpool music scene, and what it’s like being a new band in the community.

"I think Liverpool being the size that it is, there’s a proper sense of community," explained guitarist Joe Mutch.

"Every band gets on with every band and you can kind of make mates and obviously you bump into everyone at Sound City."

Fellow Scousers Courting made an appearance at the festival, despite being quiet since the release of their third album last year. They played what can only be described as a ‘greatest hits’ set, complete with mosh pits, anecdotes and lots of strange electronic noises, making it a sweaty yet exhilarating start to whet our palette for the festival.

And after that, Arts Club Theatre was abuzz, as mod made its way to Liverpool in the form of The Molotovs. Leaping, strutting and bouncing on stage, the sibling duo delivered an undeniably polished set, proving themselves to light up a crowd, whether its an intimate venue or an arena.

But it was afternoon headliners Gurriers that made our weekend, the floor to Grand Central Hall positively shaking as the crowd moved as one, chanting all the words to the throbbing, dark Des Goblin. And the band matched their energy tenfold, creating a sense of tandem between artist and audience that sent shockwaves around the dome.

We caught up with local band STONE, who shared their thoughts on the festival:

"It’s a city festival that actually gets Liverpool bands on," started frontman Fin Power.

"Some city festivals try and get loads of tastemaker bands on, but I’d say that a good 20% of the festival is local Scouse artists."

Guitarist Elliot Gill added:

"It’s our South by South West isn’t it really. North by North West!"

Following a surprise set from local band The Kowloons at the Kazimier Stockroom for Dave Monks’ BBC Introducing stage, we hopped on over to Grand Central Hall to catch headliners Keo, entering as they stormed through Thorn; fans up on shoulders, arms akimbo, singing back every word as a chorus echoed around the room. Pure goosebumps ensued as frontman Finn Keogh beamed in awe, eyes flitting around to soak in the moment. A generational talent, that have every right to be headlining, creating memories and soundtracks to last.

From voices echoing around Grand Central Hall, to a rock duo creating an eruption on Slater Street. Sunday morning saw Sky Valley Mistress first gaining attention as they began unloading their gear from a hearse, as a gathering crowd stuck around for their bone-rattling rock. It’s something that makes Sound City so endearing, and so different to any inner-city festival. Where else can you comb through the records in The Jacaranda, whilst a band plays in the street just outside?

Independent record label Submarine Cat Records were our hosts at the Kazimier Stockroom, but we absolutely wish they had been in a bigger venue!

Queues outside for both Welly and FEET, operating a one in one out policy for both artists, as fans came out elated and describing both sets as exhilarating. It’s something we noticed throughout the weekend, that some artists should’ve been in bigger venues due to demand, and we hope it can be resolved for next year so that everyone can enjoy artists they’d travelled to see.

Permanent (Joy) packed out Arts Club Theatre with their mellow indie, groovy bass lines, and a whistle? Something we’ve never seen before, but if there’s one thing that’s certain at Sound City it’s that you’re always going to see something new.

Sticking around on Seel Street, upstairs in the Loft were Adelaide’s Teenage Joans, the first night of their first UK tour at Sound City. The pop punk powerhouses teased new music, oozing high energy and effortlessness as they had the crowd hooked with their ceiling high choruses and heavy guitars.

There was a somewhat calmer atmosphere as we hurtled into Sunday evening, perhaps due to the evening of soul that we were about to bear witness to. Following MT Jones at Grand Central Hall was Brooke Combe, who despite technical issues, made the absolute most of the 20 minutes that she managed to scrape back. Opening with This Town, the Glaswegian exudes charm and swagger, her voice rich like honey.

Playing new song Tears Won’t Lie, Combe’s deep and soulful voice hit every corner of the room, as a chorus of voices sang back to her, creating an atmosphere of joy and warmth.

Combe is set to support headliner Jalen Ngonda on his tour at the end of the year, and as Ngonda stepped out to bring a close to Sound City 2026, the crowd was fixated on his stellar vocal range and nostalgic tunes.

Bringing out MT Jones towards the end of the set felt like a wholesome end to the weekend, showcasing the community and togetherness which Sound City does so well to foster.

As the 20th anniversary of the festival dawns next year, we can only dream what will be in store for us.