Liverpool’s Sound City, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most innovative and pioneering festivals, returns for its 13th year from Friday May 1st – Sunday 3rd 2020. 

The 2020 edition of Sound City has revealed its first headliner will be the goth-pop champions Pale Waves. They will be joined by The Blinders, Tim Burgess, The Lathums, Stealing Sheep, The Mysterines, Jamie Webster and The Lottery Winners.  Aslo announced today are Abbie Ozard, Alfie Neale, Bessie Turner, Catholic Action, Diving Station, Dylan, Elm, Far Caspian, Fever, Grace Lightman, On Video, Para Fiction, Sam Calver, Social Contract, Sophie and the Giants, Talkboy and Wargasm. 

Sound City 2020 and its Sound City+ conference will bring together 100s of artists, performers, labels, collectives, speakers, thinkers, showcases, collaborators, panels and more from around the world for an unrivalled three days and nights, sound-tracked by some of the most electric talent from around the world. There is no place quite like it, where a pulsating energy ripples through the festival’s many intimate venues and urban spaces.   

The dazzling weekend also celebrates Liverpool itself and all of its present and possible future glories, set across perhaps the country’s most dynamic cultural landscape in the shadow of the Anglican Cathedral – the thriving Baltic Triangle.  

“It doesn’t feel that long ago since we were partying to Loyle Carner, Mabel, The Magic Gang, slowthai and Louis Berry earlier in the year - and now here we are releasing our first wave of names for Sound City 2020. For our 13th year, we will continue to champion the very best sounds the UK has to offer across an incredibly diverse spectrum, as well as reaching out around the world to brilliant artists making a difference. Liverpool is the perfect backdrop for our festival and conference, and working again with the Arts Council England and a range of partners, we are determined to create a weekend and wider series of events and showcases which will once more shape the agenda for music, arts and culture across the UK and beyond. We cannot wait to be back.”    

Rebecca Ayres, Sound City’s Managing Director

Tickets go on sale from 10am Friday 25th October.