Issue 99 / May 2019

R0UND UP
A glance at some of the activity you can look
forward to across this year’s festival.
Gigs & Graphics
The art and poster exhibition GIGS & GRAPHICS returns to Sound City this
year, showcasing some astounding work in an exhibition that explores the
intersection of art and music through gig and festival posters. Taking over
the sheds and walls of the Baltic Roastery, G&G’s International Gig Poster
Exhibition will showcase a number of works by internationally renowned
poster artists, curated by the teams behind Toucan Tango and Paper Moon
Studio, and continuing Sound City’s relationship with great gig poster art that
began with Screenadelica. There will also be a Gigs & Graphics space at Sound
City+, which focuses on the interplay between art, design, print, photography,
video and the music industry. Musicians and artists will be invited to contribute
to this space in an exciting exchange of ideas. And the new 5 Out Of 5 project
has commissioned limited edition festival posters from five established and
emerging artists. A number of small live performances, DJ sets and some live
screen printing will bring this visually arresting world to life with even more
vigour.
Baltic Roastery – 04/05-05/05
Bella Union Showcase
Since being formed in 1997 by Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie,
Bella Union has become one of the more established indie labels, and an unlikely
success story. Now helmed solely by Raymonde, the label comes to Sound City this
year with its reputation for gorgeous, widescreen indie as strong as it’s ever been.
The label’s showcase on Saturday brings some prime examples of that in the form of
REN HARVIEU and LIELA MOSS. Salfordian Harvieu is known for her fusion of 60s
pop and folkier elements, while former Duke Spirit vocalist Moss has a sumptuous,
emotionally rich body of work to call upon. Two of the label’s newest recruits –
Norwegian quartet POM POKO and buoyant guitar poppers PENELOPE ISLES –
bring some fresh sounds to this highly regarded showcase.
Birdies Live Room – 04/05
Ren Harvieu
Street Art
A range of activations and pop-ups will be stalking the streets
of the Baltic Triangle over the festival weekend, making you feel
like you’ve wandered into a mini Sound City wonderworld as
you wander along Jamaica Street. Feminist collective YOU TOPIA
bring some soul-tickling experiences on Saturday, heightening
the otherworldly atmosphere around the festival site. UGLY
BUCKET THEATRE also bring their physical theatre piece 2
Clowns 1 Cup to entertain the crowds, a fun but honest treatise
on our awkward relationship with sex and self-discovery. Perfect
if you want some other stimulation other than music. There are
even more surprises to discover, so make sure to keep your eyes
and ears open for what the festival has to offer.
SESAC
The US-based performing rights organisation has long been a
partner of Sound City, bringing scores of artists to perform to
Liverpool audiences down the years. They’re also a key player
in the Sound City+ conference, feeding into debates around the
rights and livelihoods of musicians. This year, SESAC’s Saturday
afternoon showcase at Birdies Live Room brings a range of music
to the table, headed up by the ecstatic pop of HUSKY LOOPS.
The wiry, psych-streaked riffs of Hampshire four-piece INDIGO
LO are also on the bill, as are the countrified strains of Liverpoolborn
LAURA OAKES. TALK SHOW and PRESS CLUB complete
the bill – all it needs now is you.
Birdies Live Room - 04/05
Edge Hill University
Seatbelts
Sound City’s innovation partner is back with another great line-up of acts and performances across the
festival weekend, giving their students even more career-enhancing opportunities in the process. The
university’s own DIY recoed imprint, The Label Recordings, hosts a showcase of prime talent on Sunday
at Best Before, featuring PODGE, SETABELTS and AIMEE STEVEN. There’s also a dance performance
from some of Edge Hill’s performing arts students on Sunday – but the university’s primary focus will be
on their new Ideas Tent. The Institute for Creative Enterprise (ICE) is Edge Hill University’s practice-led
research forum, and they are programming a series of talks, debates, screenings and performances in
the space. Part chill-out zone, part simulation and part awareness raising, the Ideas Tent will be an oasis
of reflection at the heart of the festival, presenting debates on the cutting edge of public discussion and
popular culture. There will also be discussions on topics such as the art of the selfie, why we don’t need
any more indie bands, and a conversation with photographer Mike McGear-McCartney.
Unusual Art Sourcing Company
It’s the fourth year that the Liverpool-based performance art project has had
a presence at Sound City, and they’ve expanded their offer from the (very)
public life drawing classes to include a full range of activity this year. As well
as hosting the World’s Smallest Festival Stage, the group will be bringing
the world premiere of The Shaft Funk And Disco Interactive Sing And Dance
Along Club Night on Saturday, which does exactly what it says on the tin. The
collective are also hosting Eric’s Classical, a tribute to the legendary Liverpool
club that inspired so many; a live performance of some of the club’s iconic
music will be performed by an ensemble of local musicians and there will also
be a Q&A with scene lynchpin Jayne Casey. Impromptu theatre and spoken
word performances will also add to the cabaret feel of the UASC’s stage – and
the whole thing will be filmed for a documentary about Liverpool’s alternative
culture by Leonie Adisgold-Rayner.
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