Sound City, renowned as a pioneer in new music discovery, has announced the first details of its highly anticipated 2024 return. Sound City returns to its core multi-venue roots between the 4th and 5th of May 2024, nestled in the heart of Liverpool, one of the world’s most influential music capitals.
Sound City, the dynamic music festival that first graced the streets of Liverpool in 2008, quickly became a pivotal event for music fans worldwide. To name a few, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, The xx, Alt-J, Courtney Barnett, The Wombats, Royal Blood, and Catfish & The Bottlemen have all passed through Sound City on their way to global stardom. Sound City is the spotlight that is always shining on the sounds defining the year ahead, always looking to celebrate the vital, fresh new artists paving their own destinies. Sound City is the UK’s longest-running showcase festival, and its reputation as the start of the summer festival season makes it a must-see for all music fans, providing a first look at your next favourite artist.
Continuing its uncanny knack for showcasing emerging talent and shaping the future of music, the 2024 lineup includes festival headliners Caity Baser and The Snuts, among others.
Caity Baser, who is only 21 years old, has quickly established herself as one of the UK’s most exciting pop artists. Her magnetic stage presence, combined with her honest, no-filter Gen Z anthems, has earned her a devoted fanbase, commanding audiences all over the world and establishing herself as the next pop sensation ready to take over. Caity Baser at Sound City 2024 promises to be the coronation of future pop royalty as a household name touches down on the streets of Liverpool for a true headline moment, with the latest track ‘Leave Me Alone’ and the dance-pop summer anthem ‘Dance Around It’ pointing to what comes next.
The Snuts, a Scottish indie band, are also ready to take the stage. Their debut album ‘W.L.’ became a cult favourite thanks to their electrifying live shows and singalong hooks, rocketing straight to the top of the UK Album Charts, establishing them as one of indie-rock’s great breakthrough success stories. With a desire to constantly push against genre and expectation, ‘Follow The Empire’ was a bold follow-up full of overflowing ambition, establishing The Snuts as a band carving their own history right in front of the world’s eyes. The Snuts return to Sound City to headline in style for an explosive party from a band embracing the big leagues, with their next glorious step already marked out.
Speaking about headlining Sound City 2024, Caity Baser said:
“I’ve heard that whenever you play a show in Liverpool, the crowd is nuts – so I’m excited to find out if it’s true! It’s a city that means so much to me with the amount of good music that has come from it, so I literally couldn’t be more excited to headline Sound City Liverpool. Headlining – little old me – who would have thought huh!? Watch out Liverpool I’m coming for ya!! xx”
Antony Szmierek is a name at the forefront of new music culture, receiving accolades and adoration from tastemakers and industry leaders. With recent appearances on Later With Jools Holland and being named one of BBC 6 Music’s Artists of the Year, he’s become an essential live trailblazer, blending genres and revelling in the sheer fun of it all. It’s all about establishing Anthony as an artist who will have thousands flocking to his world by the time Sound City 2024 arrives. Corella, Manchester’s blistering indie-rock force, is set to grace the Sound City stage with their irresistible melodies, already cultivating a devoted following that is only going to grow.
Seb Lowe, a modern-day troubadour known for seamlessly blending music and political themes into one stunning mix that’s already turning heads across the UK and beyond, has also been announced. Flowerovlove’s infectious and upbeat sounds offer a refreshing take on girlhood in the digital age, with the latest cut ‘a girl like me’ heralding a prosperous future.
Prepare yourself for the show-stopping power of Brooke Coombe, the Scottish singer who has quickly risen to become one of the most compelling performers thanks to her mesmerising live shows. Brooke’s journey from covering songs in her Edinburgh bedroom to headlining stages and even performing at SXSW in just a few years exemplifies why she’s a must-see at Sound City 2024.
Crunching riffs are sure to ring out from live favourite Viji, whose anticipated debut album ‘So Vanilla’ out via Speedy Wunderground feels tailor-made for sweaty club venues and countless memories. Meanwhile, in Liverpool, the infectious pop brilliance of LALA HAYDEN enters the frame, ushering in the next chapter of Anteros’ Laura Hayden in epic fashion. Balancing Act, a future breakout indie favourite, heads to Sound City with their razor-sharp arena-ready sound, which has already garnered admirers across the country. With a massive 2024 on the horizon, Sound City should be a blistering start to a massive summer for one of guitar music’s brightest new lights.
On heading to Sound City 2024, Brooke Combe said:
“I can’t wait for Sound City. It was one of the first festivals I played at and I just remember thinking the vibe around it all was dead exciting. There’s so many different artists you can discover and the crowds are always boss in Liverpool. Let’s goo baby”
Talking about playing Sound City in 2024, Seb Lowe said:
“First time I played in Liverpool was, at the time, one of the biggest gigs I’d ever done. It was just me and an acoustic guitar. I remember the crowd were absolutely class. Really welcoming. Since then the city has sort of become a bit of a second home for me and the band. We’re there all the time, recording, gigging, eating, drinking, whatever. It’s a mint place. Get a proper feel for the culture when you’re there. Last year at Sound City I opened at the Arts Club. It’s mental to think we’ll be headlining the second stage this year. Total honour. Shall be immense.”
LALA HAYDEN said:
“Liverpool is such a special city for me and I can’t wait to be back at one of the first festivals I played with my new solo project. Roll on May 2024!!”
Balancing Act’s Jackson Couzens said about playing Sound City 2024:
“We’re so excited to be playing Sound City 2024! I’ve always had good memories of Liverpool, I actually took part in a Guinness World Record attempt where I was part of the largest group to sing a Beatles song. As far as I’m aware we actually broke it so maybe expect another record breaking performance from Balancing Act? I’ll leave that to your imagination, you’ll have to see for yourselves”
Sound City 2024 already has an eclectic playlist of artists that they will be playing over and over, ranging from the fizzing buzz of hometown favourites Bandit, Keyside, and WOO to the electric ride of VENUS GRRRLS and G!rlband or the immediate indie hooks of Megan Wyn, The Dream Machine, M60, and Forgetting The Future. Sound City is the leading voice for the future of new music, with more to come.
Rising songwriter Megan Wyn said:
“I’m buzzing to be heading back to one of my favourite cities to play at this year’s Sound City! So many of my favourite bands have gone on to play cities and festivals all over the world after playing Sound City. It feels very special to be booked to play this year & hopefully join that list, especially as Liverpool is where I record all my music! Welai chi yna! See you there! :)”
Speaking about Sound City 2024, Managing Director Becky Ayres said:
“We’re well proud to reveal the first details and names for Sound City 2024. Seeing everyone rush around the city to catch a glimpse of incredible new artists has always given us a buzz, and there is no other place in the world better than Liverpool to do this in. It’s this which has inspired our plans for 2024 and beyond. With artists including Caity Baser, The Snuts, Brooke Combe and flowerovlove announced today – they represent some of the most exciting names in music ready to define the next few years in their own unique way. With an incredible Conference programme to be revealed and even more names to be announced over the coming months – we’re dead excited to welcome the world to venues across Liverpool City Centre next May. We’ll see you down the front!”
Continuing their long-standing partnership, Sound City is once again the UK’s lead festival for Keychange, a global movement dedicated to reshaping the music industry to achieve gender equality. The focus remains on achieving gender balance across all Sound City events and initiatives, despite leading a vast array of festivals and events across the UK and beyond. The festival’s first batch of names announced an equal representation of women and diverse genders, and a variety of initiatives, panels, and more are planned in collaboration with Keychange in the coming months.
Sound City is proud to collaborate with many innovative and forward-thinking partners, sponsors, and funders. Arts Council England, which supports new artistic and industry talent and organisations from across the sector; CAPLL, a corporate funder of Sound City Emerging Talent and Training; SAE, a global higher education provider in creative media industries; Virgin Music, a prominent record label and artist services company fostering diverse musical talent; Innovation Partner Amplead; and Exclusive Discovery Partner Gigseekr are among those involved. Bundobust, a well-known street food restaurant, and Leeds Conservatoire, an institution offering higher education in music and performing arts, are also partners.
The Sound City+ Conference returns on Friday, May 2024 as part of the Sound City celebrations, serving as a hotbed of forward-thinking ideas and discussion on what lies ahead for the music and entertainment industries. The Sound City+ Conference, which will bring together figures from around the world for what is expected to be one of the first opportunities to reconvene and examine the music landscape after a transformative year, will feature a variety of programming, panels, and speakers not to be missed. Giving back and inspiring a new generation, Liverpool’s streets are once again alive with music.
Tickets are now on sale here.
