Last year, it saw 41,500 music fans flock to venues all over the city to watch over 360 artists in just three days, whilst 3,500 delegates attended its leading music, media and technology conference. For 2014, the seventh edition of Liverpool Sound City – taking place from 1 to 3 May – is set to be bigger, better and even more unmissable.
Sound City uniquely combines an internationally renowned music festival, which celebrates new talent alongside the biggest names in the British music scene, with the UK’s leading industry conference – all in the world’s most legendary music city. In 2013, the eclectic line-up included the likes of Noah and the Whale, Alunageorge, The Walkmen, Enter Shikari and hundreds more, whilst the conference hosted key speakers like Dan Smith from Bastille, Michael Murphy from The Wombats, manager of the Rolling Stones Andrew Loog Oldham and Simon Moran, founder and CEO of SJM Concerts.
With a focus on new and emerging and talent, Sound City 2013 also saw over 300 emerging bands and artists taking to the stage during the festival – following an open application process.
In preparation for next year, 2014 applications are now live, in association with Dawsons Music.
Any band or performer who would like to be part of Liverpool Sound City should visit www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk and click on the Apply to Play button for full details on how to apply.
Alex Simmonds, Marketing and Ticketing Manager, said: “We’re extremely excited to be planning for Liverpool Sound City 2014 and we’re definitely expecting big things.
‘Last year, there was fantastic response to our open band application process and we’re sure it will be even better this year. We’re looking for a very high level of talent and performance ability, we want something groundbreaking – basically, bands who could be the next big thing.”
Applications are invited from all over the world (performers from over 18 countries took part in the festival in 2013) and from all music genres. Applications will close on the 31st January 2014.
Conference Details
Officially the first music festival of the summer, the seventh Liverpool Sound City conference will lead on the three themes of football, music and style – cornerstones of the city’s identity.
David Pichilingi, CEO of Sound City, clarifies the thought behind this strategic shift:
“The British music business is as much about style and football as it is about the music. Pop subcultures have embodied musical movements in the UK since the birth of rock and roll and the commercialisation of pop music. From the original mod and rocker movements through to glam and punk rock sliding into Acid House, the second summer of love and Britpop – music, football and fashion are intrinsically linked.
“In the north, these things are part of our upbringing and that’s why there has been so much success from Liverpool and Manchester. In the last 50 years our two cities alone have produced more talent and creative output than most countries. In turn these artists have gone onto generate vast amounts of income on a global scale. Going forward the Sound City vision is, for the first time, to bring these creative strands together and look at how we create new meaning for the future and in turn inspire and motivate a new generation of talent.”
Sound City’s remit is to create a new type of music industry conference that offers inspirational keynotes and ‘In Conversation’ pieces designed to inspire, motivate and bring together new thinking.
Returning to Sound City is friend and rock and roll royalty Andrew Loog Oldham. Andrew is famous for discovering and managing The Rolling Stones. Andrew will be lead curator for the Sound City 2014 conference and will be leading the way in helping to bring in world-class guests and speakers and innovators around the key themes of music and style.
Andrew states: "I had the most educating and entertaining time at Sound City last year. It helped remind me of what was and the possibilities of what can be. We make the future together. We are more than one bullet in the gun, we are the big bang. David and I are investigating doing a rock and clobber event in 2014. I look forward to being there again and playing an active role in shaping the event."
Since its inception Sound City has had a clear manifesto that sets it apart from the mundane and well-worn approach repeated time after time by competitors.
Liverpool Sound City is currently programming the style and music content and is promising big names.
Said Becky Ayres Liverpool Sound City’s COO: “We are renowned for drawing big names to the conference – in the past we’ve had the likes of Seymour Stein, Arthur Baker, Ian McCulloch and Peter Hook. For 2014 we have raised the bar again and have some major global personalities booked in. It’s going to be incredible. ”
The football content is provided by award winning The Anfield Wrap – the LFC inspired podcast, website and digital magazine with both the podcast and magazine firm fixtures in the top ten of the UK Sports iTunes charts with a world-wide audience from Anfield to Australia.
Said Andy Heaton of TAW: "After the resounding success of last years Sound City, we are incredibly excited to be asked to get even more involved with next year’s festival. We've got some big ideas and even bigger names lined up to contribute the expanded conference programme, that will reflect the city’s rich and unique position in world football and popular culture."
Liverpool Sound City is the biggest urban festival in the UK with over 45,000 attendees expected in 2014. The conference is a unique and integral part of the event hosting more than 3,500 delegates and dealing with weighty issues that go to the very heart of the business as well as exploring the lighter side of the music industry.
The conference side of Liverpool Sound City runs on 1 and 2 May and will be held in the Hilton Hotel and Liverpool ONE. Early bird delegate passes are currently available on the Liverpool Sound City website for a limited period:
http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/home/tickets-and-info/delegate-pass-information.aspx