Liverpool Gig Guide: 9 bands and festivals playing across the city in May

From indie, to pop, folk, dance music and even modern classical sounds, there is something for every music taste this May.

Liverpool has always been a melting pot of sounds and next month is no different. There there are two diverse weekend festivals to take your pick from as well.

Here is our guide to a musical May in Liverpool.

Mel C

Jacaranda Baltic, 1^st May, various times

With a record signing, gig and DJ set, the artist formerly known as Sporty Spice is taking over Jacaranda Baltic for the day.

Mel is in town to promote her new album Sweat which is a disco pop collection, inspired by her love of house music.

Tickets for the gig are sold out but you can still meet Mel earlier in the day at the 2pm signing, or enjoy a dance at the after party where she will take to the decks, from 9.30pm

Find out more and get tickets here.

The Boo Radleys

Jacaranda Baltic, 4^th May, 4pm

Spend your bank holiday Monday weekend in the company of the Boo Radleys who are playing a home coming show to promote their new album In Spite of Everything.

This is the Wirral band’s ninth studio album so expect some new songs and hopefully the odd Britpop classic too.

Find out more and get tickets here.

Sound City

Various venues, 1st-3^rd May, various times

Sound City is back with a mix of new and established artists for a bank holiday weekend of music.

Highlights include Kate Nash, The Lilacs, Keyside, Jalen Ngonda, and honorary Scouser Brooke Combe.

There are scores of acts taking part, musical styles to suit all and venues that vary from the Jacaranda, Grand Central and the Arts Club, to the Spanish Caravan and more. You might even spot the odd pop up street performance.

There’s a conference part to the event too with talks, networking events and workshops.

Prepare to wander, open your mind to new music and see some of the best sounds around.

Find out more and get tickets here.

The Sforzando Composers’ Showcase

Tung Auditorium, 9^th May, 7.30pm

An evening showcasing emerging contemporary classical talent.

The evening features original piano and string quartet works from composers including Andrew Barney, Sofía Hidalgo, Arthur Yuen, Paul Norwin, Craig Wakerley, and David Marshall.

Accompanied throughout the night by local ensemble Buzzcut Strings, the composers will also share the stories behind the music.

A night to be savoured by classical music fans and anyone else who wants to sample a different style for the night for just £10.

Find out more and get tickets here.

Longest Johns

O2 Academy2 Liverpool, 11^th May, 7pm

The Bristol-based trio are best known for their rendition of folk classic Wellerman which kickstarted the TikTok sea shanty trend back in 2021.

Since then, they have been performing their version of folk rock, and they bring their latest tour to Liverpool in May.

Find out more and get tickets here.

Maisie Peters

Camp and Furnace, 11^th May, 5.30pm and 8pm

Maisie Peters plays two gigs in a night as she launches her new album Florescence.

The singer songwriter burst onto the scene in 2019 with a number one album, a support slot for Taylor Swift and playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

After working relentlessly since she was 15, she took a break and is back with Florescence. She describes her news music as her most grounded yet, coming from a peaceful place after having some time away.

Find out more and get tickets here.

The Hoosiers

Jacaranda Baltic, 12^th May, 7pm

A British band who actually formed in America, the Hoosiers have gone through a few line up changes since the 00s.

They are back with a new album called Compassion, something they think is seriously lacking in the world of social media.

Hear new tracks, plus a couple of old favourites at this intimate gig to support the new record.

Find out more and get tickets here.

Jon Spencer

O2 Academy2, 30^th May, 7pm

The former Blues Explosion frontman released a solo album Sick of Being Sick in 2024 and has a new record due out later in the summer called Songs of Personal Loss and Protest.

He brings his rock guitar sound to Liverpool in May where, you will get to hear some of his new material as well as older favourites from his varied career.

Find out more and get tickets here.

Baltic Weekender

Various venues, 29^th-30^th May, various times

If dance music is your thing then it doesn’t get much better than this festival that takes over the Baltic Triangle for the weekend.

This year will see yet another brilliant line up of techno, house, grime and more.

The line-up over the weekend features 4am Kru, Aly P, Amber Rose, Bakey, DMC and more.

Find out more and get tickets here.