Sound City captures the vibrancy of the city with an unforgettable three day festival. The festival sees established names perform alongside a stream of local, national and international emerging talent. Numerous successful iterations of Sound City have been held across three different continents over the last 17 years.

This year, they’re welcoming Caity Baser, The Snuts, Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band, Brooke Combe, Dream Machine, Seb Lowe, Flowerovlove, and many more names to independent Liverpool venues between 4-5 May.

The festival also features talks and conferences on the music business in their Sound City Forum, providing help for artists to further their careers.

Here are a selection of festival highlights and new acts to watch out for this year:

Dream Machine

Over the past two years, Wirral acid-pop band The Dream Machine have released a trio of splendid 4-track EPs. The releases saw them explore wildly different styles, whilst still maintaining their colourful 60s infused sound.

Influenced by iconic punk and psych songwriters, such as Patti Smith and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, they blend smooth vocal harmonies with hypnotic grooves. Their debut album was released in 2023 by the city’s Run On Records to much acclaim and accompanied by a residency at Jimmy’s in Liverpool.

Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band

There are few songwriters to ever surpass the genius of Michael Head’s output, either on his own, with The Pale Fountains, Shack or his most recent iteration Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band. Now in his fifth decade of making music, he is producing some of his finest work.

His 2022 album, Dear Scott, was as cohesive and coherent as any album he’s made and produced by the acclaimed ex-Coral member, Bill Ryder-Jones. A true Liverpool legend, Michael Head is one not to miss at this year’s festival.

Caity Baser

Loud, funny, vibrant and sensitive: words that describe British singer, songwriter and pop provocateur Caity Baser, just as easily as they describe her music. Her varied influences include Etta James, The Carpenters and Rizzle Kicks.

Caity has had four entries in the UK singles chart and rave reviews from the NME. An artist wise beyond her years but packing enough teenage energy to still cause trouble.

The Snuts

The Snuts recently become the first Scottish band to achieve a UK number one for 14 years, with their debut album W.L. selling over 20,000 copies. The album encapsulates the band’s journey of four working class kids, growing up with a dream in Whitburn, West Lothian.

The band have played prestigious support slots with Louis Tomlinson and Kings of Leon, plus recorded a live album, performed in the resplendent surroundings of Stirling Castle.

Venus Grrrls

Inspired by the feminist 90s rock movement Riot Grrrl, Venus Grrrls are an alternative indie band from Leeds. With their eerie synth motifs and raw guitar lines, the girls present the dark yet empowering discourse surrounding their own experiences.

With singer/rhythm guitarist Grace Kelly (GK) fronting the band, their raw energy live is something to behold, they give Bikini Kill and Babes in Toyland a good run for their money.

One of the hot tips of last year, their music has been featured on BBC 6Music, Radio X, and BBC Introducing,

The Rolling People

At just 18 years old, Stockport-based The Rolling People have taken the indie music scene in their stride. Gaining a reputation for energised performances and feral crowds to match. The band have earned their reputation as the next ‘must-see’ act with repeated sold out shows across the country.

Now ready to release their long-awaited debut EP, the meteoric rise of The Rolling People looks all set to continue.

King No-One

There’s few bands that embody the DIY-spirit quite like Manchester’s indie favourites King No-One. The success and community they’ve built via the band, has all been achieved through the musical underground, courtesy of their own hard work, sacrifice and a lot of determination.

The band’s recent single Manchester Rain perfectly encapsulates life in the North of England in 2024 – facing up to hardship but with a defiant attitude.

Sound City Forum

The festival has a full programme of talks in their Sound City Forum – the disruptive conference in the north, curated for beginners through to seasoned veterans. Their theme this year is Sustainability in the Music & Entertainment Industry and they’re questioning whether it’s time to #SoundTheAlarm

To help them dive into this topic, they’re welcoming Sacha Lord, Korda Marshall (Virgin Music UK), TikTok, SoundCloud, BPI, PRS, and many more industry titans.

Plus they’ll have exclusive in-conversations with Red Rum Club, and The Lottery Winners.