Review - Day one of Soundcity 2011

On the first day Liverpool created Soundcity and they created over 300 bands at various venues around the great city and they saw that it was good. I started my 3 day pilgrimage at the bombed out church to see Ragz only to find out the she was no longer playing.

So it was with heavy heart, that I decided to head across to the Masque theatre to see the Wicked Whispers only to find an empty theatre and the band still setting up long into when they should have been playing. I was beginning to think someone had played a grand practical joke and no bands were actually playing the festival. Luckily in the Ink room I finally found a band that were on stage playing and this happened to be a London band called Jimmy's Parade, who turned out to be a little gem. For a young band they had a lot of confidence and the tunes were upbeat and infectious.

My spirits rose. So I headed over to Mojo to catch The Liberty Vessels, the Liverpool band making quite a stir on the scene and I can see why. There guys are about 17 or 18 but they sound and play like people twice their age. Lead singer's voice sounds like it should be emanating from a 30 year old man. The energy pouring out of him as he leaps and bounds around the tiny Mojo stage, kicking glasses across the stage and reaching out to the audience pleading for them to join him in his angst and them mesmerised at what they were witnessing. For me though.it was time for a quick dash over to the o2 to see another band getting rave reviews,The Rialto Burns. A great band that I've been meaning to catch for some time now.They played a storming set though far too short in my opinion.

Then it was time to hot-foot it to the Bombed out church to see The Kooks. I was greeted with the site of a queue going half way round the church Once inside the place was only half full. Not sure what the deal was there but I put it down to that old faithful, health and safety.
The Kooks though didn't fail to please. In the glorious surroundings of the bombed out church,Soundcity surely have a gem in a location here.The Kooks played a lot of their new album which they informed the the ravenous crowd was the first time they had played it live. Their were a few epic songs from the new stuff but overall a more sombre collection of songs. The old faithfuls were pulled out though in the form of Naive and Ooh-la-la much to the screeching pleasure of the crowd.

Last, but not least, it was over once again to The Masque Theatre for Steve Mason. The last time we saw him he played a storming set at the Kazimier and this time round only the decor had changed. Steve emerged in a heavily padded jacket to start off with a solo acoustic track and once completed the other members of the band joined him to kick into "am I just a man" and "Lost and Found" but not before urging the crowd to move forward towards him "come to water,come to water" he chanted. The crowd warmed up,Steve warmed up and I relaxed, knowing that day one had been completed and from a jittery start had been a great first day at Soundcity

To be continued......

The Kooks to play Sound City 2011

LSC is set over 30 venues including the iconic St George’s Hall, Bombed Out Church and Cathedral Crypt in the UK’s musical capital  The festival has just announced a special show with The Kooks at The Bombed Out Church, who join well over 300 bands including Black Lips, Miles Kane, The View, Frank Turner, Jamie XX, Cast, Spank Rock, SBTRKT, Steve Mason, Funeral Party, Wretch 32, Young Knives, Clinic, The Whip, Wave Machines, Set Your Goals, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Marina Gasolina, The Good Natured, Sound of Rum, Pete and the Pirates, Delta Maid, and many, many more

·         There's also a full conference with global keynote speakers addressing key issues facing the music industry, including keynotes from Peter Hook, Kevin Cummins, Simon Raymonde and debates from Drowned in Sound, last.fm, SoundCloud, AudioBoo and many more

·         2011’s LSC features the 50th anniversary exhibition of the iconic Mersey Beat newspaper, the world film premiere of Kevin Sampson’s Powder, as well as the return of the John Peel World Cup which raises money for the British Heart Foundation

·         The Youth Live programming is dedicated to the country’s young people, encouraging the next generation of musicians, producers, technologists and all other facets into the music industry

Liverpool Sound City / Thurs 19th – Sat 21st May www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk - LSC is an inspiring and illuminating music, arts and cultural showcase. Liverpool, Europe’s 2008 Capital of Culture, has enjoyed a cultural, architectural and societal renaissance which has seen boutique shops and hotels, amazing restaurants and museums all converge and grow in the city.

Ibiza Rocks 2010 Line Up Announced

The Prodigy are among the acts set to headline this year's Ibiza Rocks, which is now in its fifth year.

The summer-long event takes place at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio from June 8 to September 14.

This year they will be hosting an Ibiza Rocks afterparty at Es Paradis, powered by the same ‘anything goes’ party spirit that fuels the gigs. Unbelieveably this will be FREE to all Ibiza Rocks ticket holders (before 01:30).

Reclaim the Dancefloor isn't going away though; the night was such a success it now has its own home at Eden every Wednesday from June 16th.

The line ups for this are going to be SENSATIONAL.

Tickets for all Ibiza Rocks shows are on sale now so head to www.ibizarocks.com to make sure you'll be joining us for the best summer of your life.

And if all that line-up news wasn't enough to convince you to part with your hard-earned cash - then take a look at our incredible holiday and midweek deals!

Here's everything that's confirmed so far...

The Courteeners + DJ Toddla T
June 22 – Ibiza Rocks
Liam and the lads come to town with a brand new album and sound. Singer Liam Fray says: ‘We can’t wait to get back out there. People go to Ibiza for one thing and that’s to have a f*cking good time. Let’s face it, we definitely fit the criteria.’ Radio 1 rising star Toddla T will be on board to get you in the mood with his 'Skanky Skanky' dancehall tunes.

Calvin Harris + Example
July 5 - Mallorca Rocks / July 6 - Ibiza Rocks
Calvin is back bringing his dancefloor favourites to the island for yet another year. He's even making history by being the very first act to play Mallorca and Ibiza Rocks back to back! He'll be backed up by London rapper Example who´s having a simply massive 2010.

The Prodigy - 5th Birthday Party
July 20 – Ibiza Rocks
We had to make this BIG. And we think you'll agree that we succeeded.

Ibiza Rocks 5th Birthday Bash will be headlined by the greatest electronic act the world. With a vision of creating a night for `dance kids who want to rock and rock kids who want to dance´ Ibiza Rocks was conceived with this very moment in mind. Happy Birthday indeed. It´s going to be emotional.

Dizzee Rascal
July 26 - Mallorca Rocks / July 27 - Ibiza Rocks
Back-to-back Balearic roadblock for this BRITs winner and Ibiza Rocks favourite who will also be swinging by Mallorca Rocks. Tickets will go FAST! Dizzee himself told us that he can't wait to play Ibiza Rocks again this year: “It was one of my best shows of 2009 - it went off big time."

The Kooks
June 6 - Mallorca Rocks / August 10 - Ibiza Rocks
The Brighton lads have been Ibiza Rocks faves right from the get-go and they'll be back to open to new Mallorca Rocks hotel before returning later in the summer for a set in Ibiza.

Florence And The Machine
August 24 – Ibiza Rocks
It's been an amazing year for the divine Ms Florence Welch - a platinum selling album, huge singles, headline shows and a BRIT award to put the cherry on the cake. Don't miss.

Kele Okereke & Delphic
August 31 - Ibiza Rocks
Kele from Bloc Party will perform one of his first ever live solo shows as part of his side project. He will be supported by one of the biggest breakthrough bands of the year, Delphic. Having smashed into the Top 10 with debut album ‘Acolyte’ these boys and their Balearic sound is a match made in heaven for the White Isle.

Pendulum
September 6 - Mallorca Rocks / September 7 - Ibiza Rocks
Yeah, you read that right, the masters of D'n'B will play not one, not two, but three shows over the summer including the closing party at Mallorca Rocks - we can't think of a better way to finish it all off.