Features
Liverpool Sound City Diary
My Auntie Sam (above)
Liverpool Sound City, the UK’s answer to SXSW? A bold statement perhaps, but there can be no doubt that over four days in May, some the UK’s and world’s hottest bands, settled into the Capital of Culture, to entertain the masses with gusto. Day time conferences helped link one great night to another and the word on the street is that this city festival is certainly one to watch.
Check out Red Stripe’s diary of events to find out what the fuss is all about!
The Korova played host to Kentucky rockers Cage the Elephant who, after taking advantage of the Red Stripe riders played to a packed crowd. Local Liverpool lads My Auntie Sam did an excellent job supporting, gaining a big following with their explosive stage performances. Headlining the Carling Academy was Hadouken! with Crystal Castles playing the room below. Heat coming from the two rooms could be felt from outside the venue, helping to warm the crowds as they piled in. Hadouken! didn’t fail to impress with ‘Get Smashed Gate Crash’, giving the crowd a helping hand at turning the place into nothing short of a sweat box. What an opening night!
Wednesday 28th May
On the second day of the festival, Liverpool was warming up nicely with the arrival of another 50 bands or so. Self acclaimed happy rockers Hellcyon, had travelled all the way from Southampton to perform and kicked things off at the Magnet, showing that they had more to offer than just ‘happy rock’ with plenty of funk, classic rock and metal. Multi Purpose Chemical followed and were instantly surrounded by metal heads, eager for some head banging action, an amazingly expressive band with a style very similar to the very best of System of a Down. Despite all the action, one band seemed to take the glory in the shape of The Thirst. Recently signed to Ronnie Wood’s Wooden Records, the boys from Brixton came, saw and conquered Liverpool, with a brand of indie rock that makes your body dance of its own accord. Rocking The Bumper, shouts of ‘Dead Boss!’ came from the crowd, and the band were quickly mobbed by eager fans as they finished their fast paced, frankly amazing set.
Thursday 29th May
After an unfortunate late pull out from Late of the Pier, Red Stripe headed to the Korova to meet Balloons. Dressed in .... well a dress, the (male) bassist and guitarist delivered some fantastically original music – with tones of angry sci-fi and electro genius.
The insane multi instrumentalist and multi mental A.P.A.T.T followed with a cello, accordion, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, violin and much more, tearing into the crowd. Red Stripe topped off the night back The Static Gallery for DJ Yoda’s Magic Cinema show. Mixing both sound and visual live, throwing everything in to the mix from Run DMC to Star Wars and Wiley to Sesame Street – crowd pleasing every step of the way.
Friday 30th May
Following a chance meeting with a slightly worse for wear Murph from The Wombats at Heebie Jeebies, following 6 solid acoustic songs, he retired to the ladies toilet where we joined him for an interview (see below). Propping himself up on a condom machine, we wondered how he would fair at the much hyped homecoming headline gig at St Georges Hall. As it turned out he did a great job - a fitting conclusion to a great event.
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