Sound City announces second wave of acts for 2025

Sitting as a shining light on the trailblazing sound of the here and now, Sound City returns as the home of new music discovery and the beating pulse of music fans’ favourite new artists across Liverpool City Centre for a 2025 edition where buzzing names meet future greats all in one city.

Reflecting the most exciting new artists that are destined to soundtrack the year ahead – Sound City sits as a temperature check on the bands and artists making their mark before anyone else whilst leading the way for gender balance within the new music and festival worlds, with next year’s return already shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend in Merseyside between 3rd-4th May. 

Revealed today are a stacked second wave of names joining the 2025 lineup, a lineup already boasting true standouts, sensations and music fans’ favourite new bands. Joining the bill as a special Sunday night headliner for Sound City 2025 is Dylan John Thomas. A modern day wordsmith, Dylan has taken the live music world by storm – with a relentless work ethic and soaring homegrown anthems that capture modernity in Britain in a way few others can. Packing arenas fresh off the back of releasing his self-titled debut album, expect Sound City to be the perfect playground for a singalong heard along Seal Street when Dylan John Thomas takes to the stage. 

In what is primed to be a ludicrously big homecoming moment, Liverpool’s own STONE head to Sound City for a can’t miss Afternoon Headline Set that brings their unbridled and raucous energy to the fore. Passionate and whipping crowds across the globe into a frenzy has become the everyday occurrence for a band whose debut album ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime’ landed last year like an adrenaline shot to modern guitar music. Making their name across these streets and with a rabid fanbase growing and growing, it marks a unique chance to catch STONE in full flight in the city where it all began. Don’t miss it. 

Sound City 2025 is thriving with essential new names making a mark for themselves across the UK and beyond. Carving a name as a band packing a stunning guttural punch, KEO come to Sound City at the start of a future laced in US alt/grungey hooks that has seen them become the band on the top of fans’ tongues when it comes to live favourites whilst the captivating Imogen and the Knife puts a stamp on why she’s an artist born for huge stages with her own take on indie-infused showmanship that has already seen her turn heads around the UK. The Guest List arrive in Liverpool as part of a breakthrough few months that have seen them become the talk of fans’ new music world with tracks like ‘Loose Tongue’ and ‘161’ already seeing singalong crowds whilst Manchester’s very own Ist Ist take to the Sound City stage following sold out European tours and a rich discography of Joy Division-inspired rock that just gets bigger and bigger with each show.  

Also joining the bill today are names spanning across genre and style. Whether it’s the feverish punk-party vibes of Disgusting Sisters, the shimmering pub-soaked turns of Brogeal, the in-demand indie sensations that are Keyside, the jaw-dropping voice of viral star Allie Sherlock or the punchy indie-rock of Charlie Pittman making his next step following his turn in The Voice Australia. Capturing the artists and bands firmly in the conversations between music lovers when it comes to the fresh sounds they’re drawing themselves too – this is music discovery led by the fans. With the likes of Liverpool’s own Permanent (Joy), Precious Pepala and more also joining the lineup – Sound City 2025 is packed with their most essential lineup to date. 

These new additions join an overflowing lineup of names already announced that’s full of THE names defining breakthrough music right now. With The Royston Club making their monumental headline debut on the Saturday of Sound City, the likes of Nieve Ella, Rianne Downey, Overpass, Panic Shack, Siobhan Winifred, The Cheap Thrills, The Clause Maya Delilah, TTSSFU, Better Joy, The Stingrays, Delights, Alex Spencer, Basht, Mitch Saundersand Mandrake Handshake all ready for their moment across Liverpool City Centre – Sound City is the ticket to two days of incredible live music… with only one ticket. 

Speaking about Sound City 2025 and the latest wave of names announced today, Managing Director Becky Ayres says:

“As the months get closer and closer, the anticipation for Sound City 2025 continues to grow – and we’re delighted to unveil our next wave of artists coming to Liverpool in May for what’s shaping up to be our greatest Sound City weekend to date. Welcoming Dylan John Thomas to headline our Sunday night is going to be a real moment for an artist who has connected with music fans in a way that you can’t help but feel, with a very exciting return from one of our own in STONE sure to make the afternoon even bigger! We’re incredibly proud to be showcasing such a broad mix of artists who are all creating sparks in their own way across the UK and beyond, whilst also demonstrating how gender representation at festivals across the lineup can be done. We’ve got much more to reveal, especially around our Sound City+ Conference, that’s going to make this year so special – time to get those pre-festival playlists ready there’s a lot to discover!”

Book tickets for Sound City here.

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