Liverpool has always had a knack for spotting the future before the rest of the world catches up. In 2026, Sound City looks set to prove that point all over again. The UK’s leading inner‑city new music discovery festival returns on 2–3 May, and its latest wave of artists reads like a roll call of tomorrow’s headliners.

With previously announced names including Westside Cowboy, Jalen Ngonda, Keo and Brooke Combe, the festival has now unveiled 21 more rising acts — a line-up that cements Sound City’s reputation as the place where breakthrough moments happen in real time.

This year’s selection feels particularly charged with artists on the brink of something seismic. The Rolling People, Stockport’s fast‑ascending guitar heroes, arrive with the kind of anthemic swagger that has already pushed tracks like Disguise into heavy rotation. Dublin’s Basht bring their serrated alt‑rock energy to the city’s underground venues, while Dirty Circus add a kaleidoscopic, post‑baggy twist with their latest single Sunshine.

From Bristol, upbeat pop outfit Adult Leisure continue their rise with infectious hooks and a growing reputation for electric live shows. Meanwhile, Tom Rowley — known for his work alongside Arctic Monkeys — brings a different kind of star power, offering a songwriter’s perspective sharpened by years of collaboration and craft.

Sound City’s 2026 cohort is nothing if not eclectic. London’s Tough Cookie arrive with bass‑heavy emotional rock, while Bleech 9.3 dial up the intensity with brooding, squalling singles that have marked them as ones to watch since late 2025.

Across the Atlantic, Vancouver punks PISS bring urgency, confrontation and catharsis — the kind of set destined to leave audiences buzzing and breathless. In contrast, the mysterious Girl In The Year Above promise bittersweet melodies and lyrical vulnerability, despite having yet to release their debut.

Yorkshire is well represented too: Sheffield’s TIDETIED deliver melodic, reflective indie, while Leeds newcomers The North bring slacker‑rock charm with tracks like Soundtrack Your Soul.

Elsewhere, Hackney’s Little Grandad mix Americana warmth with punk energy, and a trio of solo storytellers — Jamie McIntyre, Ben Ellis and Zander — offer stripped‑back sincerity for those seeking quieter moments amid the chaos.

R&B rising voice Talia Rae rounds out the list, bringing expressive, soulful vocals and growing acclaim following her collaboration with David Gray on Plus & Minus.

Sound City’s Managing Director, Becky Ayres, sums up the ethos perfectly: the festival is about catching artists at the exact moment they’re about to break. It’s a philosophy that has previously spotlighted the likes of Charli XCX, The 1975, Ed Sheeran and Stormzy long before they became household names.

That commitment continues through the festival’s Apply to Play programme — open until 30 January 2026 — giving grassroots artists a genuine shot at joining the line-up. Supported by TuneCore and Amplead, it remains one of the UK’s most democratic routes onto a major festival stage.

Alongside the festival, the Sound City+ Conference returns on 1 May, bringing together leading voices from across the British and international music industry. Backed by the BPI, PRS, PPL, AIM, UK Music and more, it has become a vital meeting point for artists, managers, labels and innovators shaping the future of music. Expect panels, workshops, networking and high‑profile speakers — with the first names due to be announced soon.

Sound City continues to champion Keychange, the global movement pushing for gender equality across the music industry. The festival remains committed to achieving gender balance across its programming and initiatives, ensuring diverse voices are represented at every level.

Support from Arts Council England, SAE Institute, ICMP, Leeds Conservatoire, SAMA, Off Axis and SESAC further strengthens the festival’s role as a cultural force — not just a weekend of music, but a platform for community, education and long-term artist development.

Sound City 2026 feels like a festival in full stride: confident in its identity, bold in its curation, and deeply rooted in the belief that the next big thing is always just one set away. For anyone who loves discovering artists before the rest of the world catches on, Liverpool in May is the place to be.

Tickets and full festival information: www.soundcity.uk.com

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