Sound City has revealed that contemporary soul sensation Jalen Ngonda will headline its 2026 edition, marking an emotional homecoming for the acclaimed artist who once called Liverpool home.
The UK’s definitive inner-city festival for new music discovery returns to Liverpool City Centre from Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 May 2026, with the Sound City+ Conference kicking off the weekend on Friday 1 May 2026. Weekend and day tickets are now on sale at soundcity.uk.com, following the sell-out of early bird passes.
A former student at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Ngonda’s journey from Maryland to Motown-inspired stardom was shaped in Liverpool’s grassroots venues — including his breakthrough performances at Sound City in 2017 and 2018. His 2026 performance at Grand Central Hall will see him return to the city that first embraced his golden soul sound, this time in front of a 3,500-strong crowd.
Ngonda said “Coming back to Liverpool is long overdue and to return and play such a beautiful venue as Grand Central Hall for Sound City will be a true highlight of next year. I get to reconnect and pay tribute to the city and everyone I met there, all of whom are genuine music people. I found that out over my years living and studying there.
So much has happened since the last time I played the festival in 2018, so I can’t wait to catch up and see how much we’ve grown since we were last together. It’ll be truly special.”
Sound City Managing Director Becky Ayres added: “Welcoming Jalen Ngonda back perfectly captures what Sound City is all about — discovering and championing artists at the start of their careers, then seeing them return as international successes. His journey from our stages to global acclaim is a full-circle moment that embodies the Sound City spirit.”
In addition to a packed live music weekend, Sound City+ — the festival’s forward-thinking music industry conference — returns on Friday 1 May. Supported by BPI, PRS, PPL, PRSF, AIM, and UK Music, it offers hands-on sessions, keynote talks, and networking opportunities for artists, managers, and future industry leaders.
Ayres said: “The intersection of music and technology has never been more exciting. Sound City+ empowers every attendee to walk away with tangible skills to supercharge their careers.”
The 2026 festival will also continue its commitment to Keychange, promoting gender equality across all events and initiatives, while expanding partnerships with SAE Institute, ICMP, Leeds Conservatoire, and Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA).
Sound City 2026 promises another unforgettable weekend celebrating emerging talent, industry innovation, and Liverpool’s world-famous music heritage.
Sound City 2026: Liverpool City Centre, Sat 2 – Sun 3 May 2026
Sound City+ Conference: Fri 1 May 2026
Tickets on sale now: soundcity.uk.com
