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Five Bands You (Perhaps) Weren't Planning On Seeing At Sound City

• 16th May 2011

Liverpool Sound City begins this Thursday 19th May, and features a frankly bewildering amount of choice for audiophiles.

Headliners The View, Frank Turner, The Black Lips, Funeral Party and Cast are to receive most of the attention; however to make the most of your wristband, there's a ridiculous amount of good music at your disposal for you to enjoy. Here's my five picks of bands you maybe hadn't thought of seeing.

Band: Said The Whale
When: Thursday 19th May
Where: The Shipping Forecast
With: Canadian Blast (headlining), Winter Gloves, Sunfields, These Electric Lives, Ben Caplan

Said The Whale have just been voted the best new band in Canada. The Vancouver-based indie-rock types released their debut album Taking Abalonia way back in 2007, and have been touring heftily in Canada ever since. This is their first time in the UK. More information: link.

Band: Yuck
When: Thursday 19th May
Where: The Kazimier
With: The Whip (headlining), Trophy Wife, Chad Valley, Ghosting Season, Capac, Kala

Yuck have exploded in the past twelve months. They're touring all over the world, in far bigger venues than The Kazimier. They announced some US tour dates for July last week, and truly are a band on the up. I have a feeling this will be the last opportunity to see them in a venue of this size. More information: link.

Band: Dutch Uncles
When: Thursday 19th May
Where: Zanzibar Club
With: Veronica Falls, Rhodes, At Any Time, Muto Leo

The Manchester indie band Dutch Uncles are to make the short trip down the M62 in order to shower us with atypical time signatures, delivered with their trademark pop sensibility. Their new album, Cadenza, is out now at all good retailers. More information: link.

Band: Ed Sheeran
When: Friday 20th May
Where: Bumper (back room)
With: Wretch 32 (headlining), KOF, Maverick Sabre, Russo, Jay Norton, Rio, Angel, Abel Miller, Blue Saint, Z3RO

Born in Halifax, Ed Sheeran's soulful voice belies his years. At only 20, he's signed to Atlantic Records, and is to release his first album in August 2011. He played 312 gigs in 2009 alone, and started recording way back in 2005. As far as singer/songwriters go; Ed Sheeran is the young prince. More information: link.

Band: Hot Club de Paris
When: Saturday 21st May
Where: Static Gallery
With: Mugstar (headlining), The Heebie Jeebies, Sweet Jane, These Electric Lives

Liverpool's local-boys Hot Club de Paris have been plying their trade for what seems like forever. And thank God; I for one don't want to comprehend a city without their infallible brand of catchy alternative indie-pop. Truly fantastic live, Hot Club de Paris simply cannot be missed at Sound City this year. More information: link.

More information about Liverpool Sound City can be found by clicking this link.

MSD