Soundcity: Light Nights Mean We're Almost There

Hello wise gig people. Isn't it great the evenings are getting brighter. Makes you feel more alive but also reminds us just how close SoundCity 2009 is and then the panic starts to set in again. Not for you of course, why would you panic? In fact why should I panic. I just keep harping the same mantra to the SoundCity team day after day like drip drip water torture.....'All will be fine....All will be fine....All will be fine'.

Seriously, all will be not just fine, it is going to be amazing. Before I even tell you about the latest bands and artists we are bringing to our city let me first tell you about some other offerings we will be serving up. As part of the menu for the Friday (22nd May) we will be having a big football competition in the name of the late and great John Peel. The JP World Cup will involve a gaggle of 6 a side teams from the world of music entertainment (The Wombats, Cream, The Farm, The Rascals, SoundCity, Liverpool Echo, Clash etc) battling it out for the coveted trophy  Believe me this is no walk in the park. Every year it is fiercely fought. Blood, sweat and tears. All monies raised go to the chosen charity of John's family. Incidentally any budding Torres, Rooneys or Cahills out there can go and watch for free…

In this column a few weeks ago I announced SoundCity will be delivering the world premiere of Awaydays. To coincide with this we will also be launching a brand new exhibition from acclaimed photographer Kevin Cummins. Entitled 'The Crucial 30' the exhibition will feature 30 iconic portraits Liverpool legends such as The Teardrop Explodes, Echo and the Bunnymen, Big in Japan, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Las and many more. The exhibition will form part of the opening celebration of SoundCity and will take place in the Hard Days Night Hotel and 3345 Parr St Studios.

OK, so what about the music.......well we continue to book book book away! New additions to the roster include The Zutons headlining our closing night party at St Georges Hall (this show will be filmed by Channel 4), legendary rockers Buffalo Killers playing 1 of only 2 UK shows (inc All Tomorrows Parties), the dreamy Juliette and the New Romantiques, Metronomy, Fight Like Apes.......I could go on and on. In all 4 days and 4 steamy nights, 400 bands, 30 venues, 15 different countries and all for the great price 60 quid. Credit crunch.....schmedit crunch! xx