Concert News

BEABADOOBEE, BABY QUEEN, GRACEY and over 100 more announced for SOUND CITY 2021

• 30th Apr 2021

Undeniably the defining home of new music discovery in 2021 and beyond, Sound City will return in style this October – bringing a who’s who of essential breaking artists and game-changers back to the stage for the perfect weekend BACK in Sound City’s spiritual home in Liverpool City Centre.

Leading the new names announced today is one of the past 12 months’ biggest breakthrough favourites in Beabadoobee. Capturing the heartbeat of an entire generation with her angst-driven meld of blistering alternative rock and ripped-raw songwriting, the Dirty Hit trailblazer has already signalled herself as the leader of a whole new wave of artists. Debut album ‘Fake It Flowers’ proved that, and with her must-see live show returning this year to celebrate in epic fashion – Beabadoobee is the perfect headliner for Sound City 2021.

Speaking about her headline slot at Sound City 2021, Beabadoobee said:
“I’m so excited to get back to playing shows and people hearing my album and new EP live for the first time, AAARGRHERHIJJZZZZ”

The perfect opportunity for music fans to discover their next favourite acts, whilst soaking in the atmosphere that only the city of Liverpool is truly known for – over 150 acts will make their mark as Sound City returns. One of the city’s vital success stories Jamie Webster will play a very special guest slot at Sound City this year, proving why he has become known as a voice for the city over the past year, after storming the charts with his debut album ‘We Get By’. Tipped across the board as the next great pop sensation, Baby Queen will be opening up her Baby Kingdom at Sound City – for a no-holds-barred ride you’ll be telling all your mates about. Recently nominated for a BRIT Award, Gracey will also be smashing big-time hits across the streets of Sound City, while Not3s turns Liverpool into his own personal playground with an uncompromising set of pure chart fire. A diverse mix of every genre, style and voice that is capturing the future of music – Sound City sits unrivalled as the place-to-be.

Jamie Webster commented:
“Made up to be finally playing Sound City. Obviously as a young music enthusiast in the city I’ve spent a lot of weekends going to Sound City festival. Every year listening to the upcoming bands in the city as well as some of the bigger artists who come in outside of the city. Its just a boss day for music culture and people as well. After what we’ve been through the past year, it’ll be really nice to go out and play a festival in my own town. Buzzing for it and can’t wait to give the people what they want to hear and show them how much I’ve missed them. Gonna be a good weekend – especially the Saturday when I’m on!”

At every turn, Sound City delivers in something new and vital. The critically-revered Lapsely returns to the city for what’s sure to be a stunning set this October, with the city’s own Pixey continuing her unstoppable rise to the very top with a hometown set that is bound to be packed to the rafters with celebratory vibes. Confessional indie-pop newcomer Beaux will touch down for a jaw-dropping look into a future great, whilst Miraa May, Molly Payton, Rianne Downey, Nayana Iz and Phoebe AXA are all bound to grab attention with their own distinct voices soundtracking a golden period for new music.

The festival’s reputation for breaking your next favourite band shines bright – with a stacked array of names from across the UK descending on Sound City this October. Whether it’s the joyous tones of Lottery Winners, the genre-splicing beats of NOISY or the indie-synth hooks of online sensations Deco – it’s nothing short of a coming-together of the best new bands in the country all ready to get back on that stage. Whether it’s Bull, Pretty Sick, L’objectif, Police Car Collective, Sad Boys Club, Stanleys, King No-One, Blondes, Wyldest, Voodoos, Polar States or Rosehip Teahouse to name but a few – Sound City is full of incredible new bands that’ll be pouring into playlists up and down the land over the coming year, with Sound City just the beginning.

Serving up a formidable lineup that captures the true spirit and essence of new music discovery, Sound City 2021 will see the festival return to where it all began – taking over Liverpool City Centre after previously being located at the city’s Baltic Triangle. After huge demand from fans, it finds the show nestled squarely in the heart of live music once again – celebrating the venues and people that make the live music community what it is. The perfect location to jump between different artists while catching a moment for a drink and a bite to eat in one of the greatest cities in the world – it ensures Sound City 2021 is not one to be missed out on.

Coming full circle to where the Sound City story of championing new music began, it’s the perfect location as we all step back into the sounds of the future.

This incredible roll of names announced today join a formidable bill of previously announced highlights, including headliners Rejjie Snow and Liverpool’s own Red Rum Club. From the likes of The Murder Capital, chart-toppers The Snuts, The Lathums, The Mysterines, Lanterns On The Lake, Abbie Ozard and more – it cements Sound City 2021 as a festival in a class of its own. Sound City is the definitive home of new music discovery and the perfect celebration of the undeniable spirit of incredible live music and the future sounds shaping playlists and moments across the globe.

Speaking about Sound City 2021, and the huge batch of names announced today, Managing Director Becky Ayres said:
“As if we couldn’t be more excited to return to Sound City this October, looking at our lineup now is a real moment of pride. Bringing together different genres from a diverse range of artists from across the UK, being together once again to celebrate the best in new music discovery is going to be a truly special occasion. Not only that, but returning to our spiritual home in the heart of Liverpool City Centre is something I am particularly looking forward to. Where Sound City began, in the greatest musical city in the UK, surrounded by like-minded people all finding their new favourite artists and some of the best live bands going. Can it be October already?”

Continuing their long-standing relationship, Sound City is once again the UK’s lead festival partner for Keychange, a global movement focused on the restructuring of the music industry to achieve gender equality. Sound City are committed to championing gender equality across all of their global musical projects from Sound City Korea, Ipswich and latest streaming platform Guesthouse. Leading a vast array of festivals and events across the UK and beyond, the focus remains on achieving equal representation for women and gender minorities – a focus shown across the Sound City 2021 lineup with more names to be revealed in the months ahead and through a range of initiatives, panels and more as a part of the Sound City+ Conference.

Taking over the bubbling UK music capital once again with the best in new and exciting music, there’s nothing quite like Sound City.