Photo Credit: Evie Smith
Words: Mia-Jo Vickers
Liverpool’s biggest party of the summer returns as Sound City takes over multiple venues, showcasing the best up and coming names who are making waves in the UK scene right now.
This is the bands first show since the release of their second EP ‘Coming of Age‘ and the time had come to prove themselves in one of the biggest venues they had ever played. A mix of dedicated The North fans and die-hard Keo fans — many of whom had camped out in Grand Central to secure their spot for the headline set later — rushed into the venue. As the space quickly began to fill, they took to the stage.
Opening up strongly with ‘Can’t Sleep‘, lead singer Billy Memphis proved his stage presence is faultless. His palpable energy and passion course through every note. The raw vocals in this track showcase Memphis using his impressive range and distinctive accent to full effect creating a fresh and influential sound. Since its release, ‘Can’t Sleep‘, has become their most appreciated song, and the entire crowd chanting along to the chorus made it clear just how much people love it. The band then flawlessly transitioned into the title track ‘Coming of Age‘ the second single from the EP.
The unfaltering cohesion and fluidity of the band is impeccable, especially considering they’ve only been playing in this lineup for just over a year. Since forming, The North hasn’t stopped and it’s evident that this hard work has paid off – they are dominating festivals this year. If you couldn’t catch them at Sound City, you’ll have plenty of chances to catch them at a host of other festivals throughout the summer.
During ‘Blood Orange’, every member of the band gave everything to create an unforgettable performance. Billy ended up on the stage floor, throwing himself back and forth as the audience watched in amazement. Somehow, he still hit every note perfectly. His wild, high-energy delivery of the song stands in stark contrast to its subdued melody and lyrics — a classic Billy Memphis move that highlights his confidence and intense love for performing. ‘Soundtrack Your Soul‘, closed the show. This anthem of youth carries a concept bound to resonate with everyone in the audience. The whiny edge in his voice adds extra depth to an already incredibly emotive song.
The North are doing something genuinely new. They don’t sound like every other band right now – they’re carving their own path and trying things that don’t always conform to the mainstream. Yet it’s clearly working in their favour, proving that indie music is making a powerful comeback with a headline ready set only a few releases deep, it’s undeniable that this band is going far. Everyone should prepare themselves for the ever-growing future of The North soundtracking our souls.
It was time for Bleech 9:3 at Tunnel AKA Heebie Jeebies- an apt name for a claustrophobic brick tunnel that feels like a dank railway arch. 200 people packed into the underground venue for the most anticipated event of the weekend. With no space to move and no air to breathe, it created the ideal atmosphere for the gritty, urban angst of working class life that Bleech 9:3 delivers with every solemn, passion-laced verse. Baz and Sam appeared strolling through the parting crowd to reach the stage. Everyone watched in awe, unable to comprehend just how immense the set was about to become.
They perfectly opened with the as yet unreleased ‘My System‘. A slower, more intimate track compared to their usual heavy hitters. The kick drum shook the floors and gently eased the crowd into what would soon descend into absolute carnage. The scratching tone of Sam Duffy’s guitar signalled that it was time for ‘Jacky‘. As the crowd screamed every lyric back at them, the floor turned into an unavoidable melee of surging bodies.
The brick arch held a pit that opened and refused to close for the rest of their set. Anyone lucky enough to see Bleech 9:3 for the first time at sound city was thrown straight into the deep end. No amount of online videos could have prepared them for how mental it was going to get. Baz quickly clocked the growing chaos and took control, urging everyone to look out for each other. In a barricade-less venue like this, the intensity felt a little dangerous as the crowd repeatedly surged forward into the band during every song.
The opening riff of their latest single ‘Underrated‘ hit as a man climbed onto someone’s shoulders and grabbed the roof above him. “GET DOWN!”, was shouted repeatedly from the back, mixed with a chorus of “touching the ceiling” puns. Hearing “Underrated” in such an intimate 200-capacity venue is something fans shouldn’t take for granted. In the coming months, this kind of show will become a rarity as the band climbs their way onto bigger and bigger stages.
They closed off their set with the hit ‘Ceiling‘. Sweat dripped down every brick in the basement, as the pit widened and it became every person for themselves. If you didn’t want to get tossed from one side of the venue to the other your only real option was to leave. Trust me, no-one wanted to. Climbing back up those stairs and stepping into reality, all I could think about were the people standing outside who couldn’t get in. I walked out with my head down trying (and failing) to act like it wasn’t one of the most memorable I’ve ever been to – not just of the weekend, but possibly ever.
Whispers of “poor booking” floated around afterwards, but no one could have ever predicted how quickly this band would have blown up in the past couple of months. In my opinion this dingy basement was truly the perfect setting for Bleech 9:3. They aren’t just playing gigs anymore- they’re dominating a scene that has desperately needed something like this for a long time.
Welly were by far the most unique band I saw this weekend. From their stage presence to their bizarre yet honest lyrics, everything works together to create an incredible live act. They paraded onto the stage to a piece of classical music, shaking hands with the crowd. This move was bound to throw everyone off, as it starkly contrasts with their fresh take on indie pop.
Lead singer Elliot Hall brings a fresh perspective to indie music. His Britpop attitude, backed by a mix of electronic beats and heavy guitars, pushes the boundaries of what is considered “acceptable” in the genre. They made a couple of light-hearted digs at Saturday’s headliner Keo and their fans during ‘Soak Up The Culture‘, joking that it’s “so easy even Keo fans can sing it.” The comment drew a mixed reaction of laughs and winces from the crowd, though everyone understood it was all in good fun.
Each song in their set had its own distinctive sound. It’s tough to pinpoint a direct inspiration for their music, as it’s such a unique mix of genres. As a live band, they are infallible. Their ability to win over an entire room is incredible. There were plenty of people at this festival who had probably never heard of Welly before this gig, but by the third song the room was packed out.
Each member put on their own show, but bassist Jacob Whitear was the true star. There were moments he let the music take over, launching himself along with his bass guitar into the pit and going absolutely wild while still playing the rhythm. To truly get a grasp on Welly‘s slightly unhinged passion, you really have to see them live. This southern band came up north to prove themselves and left a long-lasting impression. I went into this gig not knowing a single song and left adding their tracks to my playlist.
This is exactly what Sound City is all about: discovering your new favourite band, sometimes by chance and sometimes because you saw a slightly daft name on the lineup. As I thought about the set afterwards, I realised that Welly’s unique sound is deeply reminiscent of 70s and 80s British punk. Beneath the quirky indie-pop surface lies a rebellious energy. I’ve decided they’ve been listening to bands like 999, Stiff Little Fingers, and Adam and the Ants. It’s this clever fusion of eras and attitudes that makes them so refreshing; you have to give them a listen and decide for yourself.
With only four singles released Cherryholt have become one of the most exciting up-and-coming bands on the UK indie scene. I descended back underground into Tunnel, where Cherryholt were already setting up on stage. A few people milled around the eerily subdued space, one I still associated with the Bleech 9:3 gig the day prior. Then I stood by and watched as the room quickly filled to capacity.
Kicking off the set strong, they opened with their latest single, ‘The Bullet’. This highly anticipated track was finally released a couple months ago. Its catchy chorus is the perfect way to engage the crowd and get them raring for the rest of the setlist. Much to the delight of fans old and new they played their forthcoming single which they announced would be set for release on May 15th, this was promptly followed by an eruption of cheers. Every new tune they release reinforces their distinctive sound, making them instantly recognisable. As much as fans would love a full album immediately, it’s clear the band wants to take the time to perfect each song, prioritising quality over quantity.
It’s evident that cherryholt are destined for bigger stages. They played an array of unreleased songs each that you simply must see live. Most people in the room – especially those at the very front- knew every word. It created an electric atmosphere, the kind you’d usually only find at a headline set and for me, they’re currently at the top of a list of must-see bands at the moment. Reuben Baskerville’s voice pairs impeccably with the band’s upbeat vibe and energetic tone, reminiscent of The Kooks’ debut album, Inside In / Inside Out. His warm, expressive vocals deliver a melodic, youthful energy that lights up the stage.
‘Irresistible‘, their biggest tune, had one of the best audience responses I saw all weekend. It could easily be mistaken for an early 2000s indie classic. Its nostalgic melody perfectly captures that classic trope of a teenager in love. With a sea of arms in the air and smiles spreading across the band’s faces, it was clear that they were having the time of their lives up on that stage. They closed off their set with another unreleased song leaving everyone on a cliffhanger, guessing what’s coming next for Cherryholt.
This band aren’t just an overnight success – they’ve been working tirelessly for the past couple of years to reach this point and carve out a spot amongst the best bands in the UK. And I truly believe that with a couple more singles and maybe even an EP we will see them hit that main stage spot in no time.
Et Al brought a totally new vibe to the Tunnel stage. Their grungier, heavier sound brought in a fresh crowd, the polar opposite of those that had just watched Cherryholt play. My expectations were high for this band; their effortlessly cool look paired well with the atmosphere of the venue and even though Et Al have only released two songs – both of which came out this year- from the things I’ve heard, they are an incredible live band.
They obviously worked through a setlist of mostly unreleased songs but it became clear that they’re not sticking to one particular sound. Even though each tune is in the same genre it seems as though they’re going to have a lot of fun finding their niche. From what I watched it seems as though with each release, we’re going to see them branch out into something even just a tiny bit different, not sticking to the same generic format each time.
The band only bought one shirt with them for merch, so they said that whoever shouted the lyrics to their latest single FatKid would get the free shirt and suddenly everyone in the room came back to life. It was a sight to behold. They closed with their first of two releases, ‘Lotus’. This track blew me away when I first heard it a couple of months ago. I assumed it was from a band who already had a good few releases, but no.
The heavy and catchy bass line of this song is so incredibly polished and professional, it’s the last thing you would expect from a band this small. They still obviously have a long way to go, but for a relatively new band on the scene, it’s impressive that they have managed to score a set like this in such an iconic venue at Sound City, whilst also managing to pack it out.
Taped Magazine 