Sound City returns to Liverpool in 2025 with The Royston Club headlining

The iconic Sound City festival returns to Liverpool City Centre from May 3-4, 2025, showcasing emerging artists and promising a weekend full of discovery and innovation in new music.

Kicking off with the Sound City+ Conference on May 2, the event continues its tradition of spotlighting the year’s most anticipated talent.

Headlining Sound City, The Royston Club will deliver their signature indie anthems, such as “I’m A Liar” and “Shallow Tragedy,” marking their largest show to date in Liverpool.

The Royston Club said:

“The past few years have been a really amazing ride for us. Sound City and Liverpool hold such a special place in our hearts, so to be returning as headliners for our biggest show to date next May is an honour. Expect something special for springtime.”

The Royston Club stand as the very first name announced for the 2025 festival, with 100s more to be revealed in the coming months. Also announced today are the first details of the Sound City+ Conference which in 2025 will see an industry leading programming collaboration with the BPI (the trade association of the British recorded music industry) and the UK’s leading independent music trade publication + music business consultancy CMU.

The BPI will be bringing their ‘In Tune With Tomorrow’ conference programming to the North as part of the conference for the very first time. More programming and details will be announced in the coming months.

Also announced today are the first details of the Sound City+ Conference which in 2025 will see an extensive programming collaboration with the UK’s leading independent music trade publication and music business consultancy CMU. Bringing together important voices from across the music industry to discuss, debate and push for change around the issues affecting the industry, the Conference is aimed at inspiring and informing artists + aspiring industry professionals on how to shape the future. 

Welcoming artists from across the UK and beyond, Sound City has played a pivotal role in providing an early step for names that have gone on to become global superstars. Whether it’s The 1975, Charli XCX, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Florence & The Machine, Lizzo, Catfish & The Bottlemen, The xx, alt-J, The Wombats or Royal Blood amongst many others – Sound City has served as one of the first chances to catch the essential artists of tomorrow making their mark.

Always looking to celebrate the vital fresh new artists paving their own destinies, Sound City is the spotlight that’s always shining on the sounds defining the year ahead. The UK’s longest consecutively-running showcase festival, Sound City’s reputation as the kickstart of the summer festival season ensures it’s a must for all music fans, offering a first look at your next favourite artist.

It follows an incredible 2024 festival which saw the weekend hailed as one of Sound City’s best, with defining moments pointing to the bands and artists who went on to have huge years.

Whether it was a show stopping headline turn from The Snuts, The K’s shutting down the official afterparty with a riotous tiny set which laid the marker for a breakthrough year for them, jaw-dropping performances from the likes of Corella, Antony Szmierek, Brooke Combe and more. Sound City’s fingerprints were laid firmly on 2024 to come, as a vital date in the diary for one of Europe’s leading new music festivals/conferences.

Speaking about Sound City 2025, Managing Director Becky Ayres said:

“This year’s Sound City was a true landmark moment for us – welcoming thousands of music fans across Liverpool City Centre to discover, celebrate and be inspired by the exciting new wave of artists leaving their mark on playlists, venues and memories alike.

“Witnessing those artists make their start at Sound City before going on to huge success is something that drives us – and it’s why The Royston Club feel like the perfect headliner for 2025. Leading a whole new generation of bands and fans, it’s going to make for a really special headline turn that’ll be talked about for years to come.

“With 100s of artists (including our second headliner) and our extensive Conference programme still to be announced, Sound City 2025 promises to be an unforgettable weekend where the music fan comes first.”

Spanning across Liverpool City Centre, Sound City is an inner-city music festival which revels in the thrill of new music and a weekend in one of the best cities on the planet.

Whether it’s the incredible surroundings of The Dome @ Grand Central Hall or the historic steps of the Arts Club (Theatre + Loft), Liverpool is a city where history and atmosphere reigns supreme. Catching shows in legendary venues such as The Jacaranda, EBGBs, The Kazimier Stockroom or tucked into the Spanish Caravan for ridiculous moments – the festival brings music fans together for a feel-good weekend firmly on the pulse of unmissable artists soundtracking the here and now. 

With these names but a snapshot of a huge lineup heading across Liverpool City Centre this May, tickets for Sound City 2025 are on-sale now here.

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