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This year’s Sound City festival saw the likes of Noah and the Whale, Bastille and old favourites Dexys headline at various venues across the city.
With grandiose settings like Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral being used for the first time, pop-up venues and coffee shops, the City saw an eclectic mix of music, art, film and conferences.
Leaf on Bold Street played host to young Liverpool-based talent Thomas J. Speight on the final night of the festival.
The singer-songwriter has already shared the stage with the likes of Ed Sheeran, and Mumford and Sons treated fans to a quiet set in the intimate venue.
After playing tracks from EPs Together or Alone and Willow Tree, Thomas performed an unplugged, off-stage version of Joni, with outstanding harmonies in surround-sound from him and bandmates Evelyn and Mike.
Already recommended by Sir Paul McCartney, he certainly lived up to his reputation, delivering a set of beautiful, well-crafted tunes. Thomas is busy concluding his debut album.
Headlining the 02 Academy with one of the festival’s lengthier sets was post-hardcore quartet Enter Shikari.
A band well-accustomed to playing Liverpool, they delighted fans with a range of tracks from their ten-year history, including old favourites Sorry You’re Not A Winner and Mothership.
Always ensuring a raucous and sweaty mosh pit of enthusiastic fans wherever they play, the band delivered an extensive set complete with encore at a gig which was a highlight of the weekend.
Delegates were treated to conferences from the likes of award-winning rock photographer Ian Hilton and members of The Wombats.
The closing keynote was delivered in conversation with Andrew Loog Oldham, former manager of the Rolling Stones and who also once acted as PR man for The Beatles.
The conference took place in the newly-restored Epstein Theatre where he called for a more official tribute for Brian – suggesting a street should be named after him for putting Liverpool on the world map musically.
This year delivered an exciting line-up of new talent and festival favourites, and we’re already anticipating what next year has to offer.
Photographs by Joanna Hufton/Mercury Press