Liverpool Calling 2018 Guide – 11 Acts You Can’t Miss and Set Times

Liverpool Calling music festival returns this weekend (Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd June) after a two year hiatus and it turns out that it was more definitely worth the wait.

First of all we should probably say, compiling a list of just 11 bands you must see this weekend was a near impossible task. The long and short of it is that you should come along to this incredibly good value for money music festival and catch as many of the performers as possible because it’s going to be an epic weekend for the city of Liverpool.

Having worked with the organisers of Liverpool Calling before we know just how much passion and hard work has gone into creating the event and making it so affordable for music fans. In comparison with many music festivals Liverpool Calling’s weekend passes are just £20! And for that we’ve worked out that you get about 17 hours of entertainment; we’d say you’d be daft to miss out.

Here’s our top picks for the weekend and you can find the full list of set times for both days below:

Himalayas (Friday: 7.45pm, Jacaranda Records: Phase One)
The Welsh Indie rock outfit Himalayas have made quite an impact this year already with their energetic live sets. Earlier this month they supported the Kaiser Chiefs, which could be just the start of big things for this band.

Generation (Friday: 8.30pm, EBGBS)
Not in a long time have we seen a band who look so much like a band…if that makes sense!? Imagine 80’s classic movie Lost Boys with anthemic rock songs. These guys are the real deal.

Sheafs (Saturday: 10.00pm, Brick Street)
Sheffield lads Sheafs pack a punch with catchy, addictive riffs that you only need to hear once and you’ll be hooked. It’s no surprise they’ve found themselves on the same bill as the likes of The Coral recently.

Will Varley (Saturday: 7.30pm, The Observatory at Constellations)
Folk singer-songwriter Will Varley has chalked up millions of streams on Spotify and for good reason. His emotionally-charged songs  never fail to captivate audiences; he’s the perfect headliner for the festival’s acoustic stage.

The Racket (Saturday: 6.40pm, Brick Street)
Widnes band The Rackett have certainly been causing a stir on the local scene after a string of sell out shows in Merseyside they’ve just finished their first UK tour. It might sound cheesy to say but you don’t want to miss these guys, they’re destined for big things.

Thom Morecroft (Saturday: 5.00pm, The Observatory at Constellations) 
A personal favourite of ours, Thom is hugely popular in Liverpool and has toured the UK and Europe bringing his idyllic acoustic songs to life on stage.  “that unique vocal style, with the quivering vibrato, which adds, when he utilises it, to the emotional complexity of the song, both musically and lyrically.” Our very own Steve Kinrade said after seeing him at 81 Renshaw earlier in the year.

The Wytches (Saturday 8.40pm, Constellations)
Brighton’s psych rockers The Wytches will return to the city once more to add to the alternative edge of this year’s festival. These doom rockers will bring a dark edge to proceedings that we can’t wait to experience.

Peaness (Saturday 5.20pm, Constellations)
The three piece indie-pop group from Chester make a triumphant return to Liverpool following an awesome set at Brighton’s Great Escape festival and a raft of gigs across the UK. Their catchy songs have earned them airtime on the likes of BBC Radio One and Radio X. If you’re after political and social vibes packed in an upbeat package then make sure you catch their set.

Dead Naked Hippies (Friday: 9.00pm, Maguires)
This three piece rock group from Leeds impressed at this year’s Smithdown Road Festival back in May, with strong, gritty guitar driven tracks and the powerful vocals of lead singer Lucy Jowett.

Demob Happy (Saturday: 7.50pm, Constellations)
Alt rockers Demob Happy are causing waves not just across the UK but across the Atlantic, with a US tour happening later this year. Their mix of grunge and psych sounds has really struck a chord with audiences far and wide.

Pulled Apart By Horses (Saturday: 9.50pm, Constellations)
Hats off to the Liverpool Calling team for making this happen, with weekend passes just £20 you’d be looking at that price alone to see the legendary Pulled Apart By Horses…but Liverpool Calling are giving so much more. If you like your music loud then Pulled Apart By Horses will tick that box while giving you pop choruses aplenty.

With such a strong line up, this will be one of the festival’s of the year for Liverpool; if you miss it, you know you’re going to regret it!

**You’ll also want to keep a look out for an all day Alan Partridge TV screening happening in the Baltic Social (great for a sit down and a bite to eat when your energy is starting to wane) as well as the roaming street parties taking place around the Baltic area on Saturday evening. We can’t wait!

There’s still time to get tickets for the Liverpool Calling 2018, via the Skiddle link here.