New music discovery festival, Sound City, has announced its biggest lineup reveal to date for 2026 - alongside reopening its Apply to Play portal, a launchpad that previously helped propel early-career artists including Ed Sheeran, Grimes, and Christine and the Queens.
Taking over Liverpool City Centre from Saturday 2nd - Sunday 3rd May 2026, with the Sound City+ industry conference kicking off on Friday 1st May, the festival has unveiled its first wave of artists. The eclectic list spans indie breakouts, punk disruptors, alt-pop innovators and global newcomers, with confirmed acts including Jalen Ngonda, Keo, Brooke Combe, Teenage Joans, Westside Cowboy, Blossom Caldarone, The Molotovs, MT Jones, SLAG, Saint Clair, Cherryholt, Keyside, The Lilacs, Finn Forster, Jack Devlin, ashnymph, Will Parker, and more.
This year’s headliners offer a compelling full-circle moment: both Keo and acclaimed soul singer Jalen Ngonda return as former small-stage discoveries, now set to command the 3,500-capacity St George’s Hall. The rest of the lineup continues Sound City’s mission to spotlight tomorrow’s stars, spanning viral newcomers (Cherryholt), cult indie risers (Westside Cowboy), dynamic international acts (Teenage Joans), and sharp-edged guitar innovators (SLAG, Saint Clair).
Sound City’s Apply to Play portal, powered by TuneCore and Amplead, is now open, giving emerging artists the chance to join a festival that has long served as a springboard to national and international success.
“We’re thrilled to share our first wave of acts for Sound City 2026,” says Managing Director Becky Ayres. “Sound City has always been about discovering tomorrow’s superstars today. This first wave gives a glimpse of the unforgettable experiences waiting for audiences in the world capital of music.”
The weekend will also include the return of the influential Sound City+ Conference, with full programming to follow.
Tickets and more info: soundcity.uk.com
