TOM ROWLEY, BASHT. AND TALIA RAE AMONGST LATEST SOUND CITY LINE-UP
Sound City 2026 is cementing its reputation as the ultimate launchpad for global superstars. The festival has just added 21 new artists to the May lineup, featuring the likes of Arctic Monkeys-collaborator Tom Rowley, Bristol’s pop-powerhouse Adult Leisure, and Dublin’s raw, emotive quartet Brooki. Joining heavy hitters like Westside Cowboy and Jalen Ngonda, these future headliners prove that if you want to see the “next big thing” first, you have to be in Liverpool.
Information about remaining tickets for the Sound City festival, taking place over Sat 2 – Sun 3 May 2026, following early bird tickets selling out a year in advance, can be found at www.soundcity.uk.com
Also joining the bill are Stockport’s rising stars The Rolling People, Dublin’s alt-rockers Basht and the psychedelic, “post-baggy” beats of Dirty Circus, adding even more heat to this year’s indie lineup. London’s Tough Cookie bring bass-heavy, melodic rock to the stage, joined by the brooding intensity of late-2025 breakouts Bleech 9.3. Adding to the edge, Vancouver punks PISS deliver a confrontational, boundary-breaking set, while the mysterious Girl In The Year Above debuts their signature “songs for the faint-hearted.”
Sheffield’s TIDETIED and Leeds’ slacker-rockers The North bring massive Yorkshire energy to the lineup, alongside Hackney’s Little Grandad, who blend Americana with punk. Following her collaboration with David Gray, Talia Rae’s emergent R&B is expected to be a highlight as it arrives at Sound City. The festival also highlights a new wave of stripped-back honesty from Jamie McIntyre, Ben Ellis, and Zander.
Sound City’s Managing Director, Becky Ayres, says:
“Sound City has always been about spotting talent at the moment it’s about to break, and this latest wave of artists perfectly captures that spirit. From acts already making serious noise to those right on the cusp of something special, this line-up underlines why Sound City remains the place where future headliners are discovered first.
“Alongside welcoming back major names like Jalen Ngonda and Keo, we’re proud to be creating space across Liverpool city centre for the next generation of artists to connect with audiences, industry, and each other – all while continuing to push forward meaningful conversations through Sound City+ about where music is heading next.”
