Liverpool Sound City Rocks The Docks
| 31st May 2016
Bank holiday weekend saw thousands of music fans flocking to Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool for two days of festival delight at Sound City 2016.
The picturesque docks were specially converted for the occasion; with eight stages erected across the site. Including one on a Tall Ship, where visitors could sip rum cocktails served by pirates and listen to a medley of eclectic bands and DJs. As well as swashbuckling mojitos, festival goers could find a snack from a host of food vans and stalls lining the river, offering tasty treats from Liverpool’s best mobile eateries.
Scheduled acts were a diverse mix of upcoming bands and well established artists; from tough-talking Nottingham duo Sleaford Mods to indie girl band The Big Moon. There was even a tribute to Viola Beach, whose names remained on the bill even after they were tragically killed in a car crash earlier this year. The loyalty of their fans was truly apparent as a heartfelt applause went up after each and every song, uniting the crowd and paying respect to the well-missed band.
Saturday night saw a rousing set from Welsh band Catfish & the Bottlemen, the first festival headlining slot of their career. Belting out hit after hit, the crowd was with them from the outset, religiously chanting the lyrics along with lead singer Van McCann. Just a day after releasing their second album “Ride”, the band played a mix of their much-loved older tracks along with brand new songs yet to be heard by a live audience.
After such a success on Saturday, it was surely impossible to top the following day. However with even more glorious sunshine, brought even bigger crowds and even more music spectacular. Gigs from The Dandy Warhols, Circa Waves and Pete Doherty, who, despite fans being weary of his punctuality showed up right on time and played an energetic set.
Finally, ending the weekend’s antics, West Kirby’s The Coral left the crowd completely raptured (despite a power cut interrupting the performance), with new material transporting fans away from the muddy waters and dusty gravel of the dishevelled festival site. Reuniting after a five year break, the Liverpool lads drew Sound City 2016 to a perfect close.