Sound City 2026, happening May 2-3, will surely prove to be an unforgettable weekend of music in Liverpool City Centre yet again. Don’t be shy, apply! Deadline to apply: Jan. 30, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified on Feb. 26, 2026.
About Sound City
Ed Sheeran. Grimes. Christine & the Queens. What do all of these acts have in common? These artists – and thousands of others – have submitted to us through our Apply To Play programme.
Since exploding on the UK festival scene in 2008, Sound City has established itself as one of Europe’s leading independent music festival and conference. Uniquely placed in Liverpool, we energetically uphold the city’s global reputation as the world centre of pop music.
Fiercely independent and with an unmistakably northern attitude, we consistently programme the most exciting and innovative acts irrespective of genre, country of origin or protected characteristic: if it’s going to set the world on fire in years to come, you’ll find it at Sound City first.
Over 19 editions of Sound City, we’ve showcased more than 3,000 emerging artists to over 400,000 fans and key industry figures, winning a stack load of awards along the way and helping to catapult hundreds of acts on the road to media coverage, record deals, hit albums and sell-out tours. Think Florence and the Machine, Sam Fender, Stormzy and Laura Marling. You want a bit of that, right?
At the heart of Sound City is the belief that the most exciting new music comes from artists from diverse backgrounds and cutting across genres. Artists are family to us – we’d be nothing without you. So, we listen to every single track that’s submitted and each applicant gets feedback.
Apply
So, what are you waiting for, Sound Citizens? Apply To Play right now!
Deadline to apply: Jan. 30, 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified on 26/02/26. (The festival recommends completing your application on desktop. Please email support@amplead.com with any issues.)