Soundcity: From Austin To The Mersey

What a week it has been. On top of all the build up to SoundCity we are also in the throes of getting ready to do a series of shows over in USA which include best of Liverpool and Manchester event at the Mercury Lounge (NYC) on Paddies Day, Tuesday 17th March. It promises to be a interesting ride as it will feature those Manc whippersnappers The Courteeners and new scouse upstarts The Hot Melts.

To acquaint myself with 'the boys' I went along to see their show at the 02 Academy on Friday. I loved it! Live they are a kind of Morrissey (circa early Smiths) mixed with the sentiments and delivery of a northern Billy Bragg. Fray seemed to like my comparisons of turning him into the Working Class Hero from Withington so much so that he made my son (Elvis) sick on jelly babies. That will teach him not to accept sweets from strange young men.

After we take a big bite out of the apple we move onto warmer climes and cowboy country. Yes, it is SxSW time again already. This year we are hosting our third Liverpool SoundCity at the amazing Latitude 30 on Saturday 21st March (3-6pm). In previous years we have given many doe eyed NW artists (inc The Wombats, Eugene McGuinness, The Rascals, 28 Costumes, Hot Club de Paris) their first taste of America. This year is no exception as we welcome back The Whip (now veterans) who will mash it up with The Wave Machines, Hot Melts, Lost Brothers and the very young and very talented Polly Mackey.

Over at SxSW it is all work, work work......This year we are taking our top promoter Revo (aka Steven Miller ala Evol). He is getting quite excited at the moment and keeps calling me to check he has the right toothbrush and underwear. I am slightly concerned re the sleeping arrangements since I am a real early bird (up at 7am) and Revo tends to think the world does not start until around 1pm every day......That said he does work very long hours into the wee hours of the night. Poor lamb, but I guess it is not digging coal.

Once we get back it is the big push through to SoundCity 2009 which takes place from May 20th to May 23rd. We have got so many amazings things lined up this year that I cry even thinking about it. Not only are we bringing in over 400 bands from over 15 different countries and putting them on in over 30 of the coolest venues in Liverpool.  We are also serving up a world class music business conference in the splendour of the Hard Days Night Hotel and delivering a new offering called The Trial which literally involves real judges and real barristers and puts the music business in the Dock. Want to know more?? No time now but loads more next week..

Ciao for now.

Reverend & The Makers Perform at Liverpool Soundcity 2008