Music
Discover Liverpool’s thriving music scene, from grassroots local talent to major touring artists performing unforgettable live gigs across the city.
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Royal Albert Dock Launches ‘Dock Star’ With Sound City: Win £2,500 Cash Prize & Festival Slot
Emerging artists across the region are being given the chance to win a £2,500 cash prize and secure a guaranteed slot on the Sound City 2027 lineup, as Royal Albert Dock launches its search for the first-ever Dock Star this May. In partnership with Sound City, Culture Liverpool and Liverpool BID, the initiative is a headline feature of the city’s new Liverpool Music Month. This year’s celebrations hold particular significance as they mark the 10th anniversary of Liverpool being designated a…
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Mel C Heads To Liverpool With Intimate Live Shows & Signings
Before she was stadium-filling pop star Sporty Spice, Melanie C was an 18-year-old immersed in the pulse of early ’90s rave culture. That formative experience still runs through everything she does — and it’s front and centre in Sweat, her ninth studio album, landing on 1 May 2026. To celebrate the release, Mel C heads to Liverpool for a special one-day takeover, bringing fans both an intimate in-store moment and a full live performance later…
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Felix Mendelssohn’s, Elijah, to be performed at Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is set to host a magnificent performance of one of the great masterpieces in the choral repertoire,as Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah is brought to life in the breathtaking surroundings of Liverpool Cathedral on 16th May. This famous and dramatic oratorio tells the story of the prophet Elijah, as depicted in book 1 and 2 Kings in the Old Testament. Through moments of deep faith, struggle and divine encounter, Mendelssohn’s rich and expressive score creates a moving…
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Preview: Neighbourhood Weekender Returns To Warrington Boasting Its Best and Biggest Line-Up Yet
Neighbourhood Weekender 2026 returns this May Bank Holiday for its eighth year to Victoria Park in Warrington, boasting one of the best line-ups of the UK festival season so far. With huge names like Blossoms and Richard Ashcroft headlining, and local Liverpool legends such as Cast, Keyside, and Jamie Webster to name a few, it seems as though 2026 will be one of the weekend festival’s greatest turnouts since the inaugural line-up in 2018. Following…
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Renowned Artist Pete McKee Comes To Liverpool With His Pop-Up Art Exhibition & Live Music Show
This Spring, renowned Artist Pete McKee is partnering with Music Venue Trust on a UK Tour of his exhibition The Boy With a Leg Named Brian. The tour is stopping at District in Liverpool on 16 May. Favoured by musicians, designers and iconic brands, Pete’s work has been commissioned by the likes of Noel Gallagher, Arctic Monkeys and fashion designer Sir Paul Smith. Pete is delighted to be championing and raising awareness of the vital work that Music Venue Trust do to keep…
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The Best Record Stores In Liverpool
Liverpool, the legendary birthplace of the Beatles, pulsates with a rich musical heritage. This isn’t just a city steeped in musical history, it’s a place where music culture continues to thrive. One of the best ways to experience this vibrant scene is by diving into the world of the best record stores in Liverpool. Whether you’re a seasoned crate digger or a curious newcomer seeking your first vinyl treasure, Liverpool’s record shops offer something for…
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‘Queen of Lovers Rock’ Janet Kay joins Africa Oyé Festival lineup in latest artist reveal
The next wave of artists for Africa Oyé’s 2026 festival have been announced. The first Black British female reggae artist to have a number one in the UK; a feminist trio from Togo with a transcendent live show; and an Afrofuturist singer-songwriter will play the iconic Liverpool festival this June. Janet Kay, Nana Benz Du Togo, and Kizaba join the three artists already announced for Africa Oyé ’26 – eco-punks Fulu Miziki, Afrobeats heavyweight Patoranking, and the Afrofuturist…
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A New Chapter For The Tusks: ‘When It Ends’
Formed in Liverpool, The Tusks have been strong contenders on the North West’s emerging artists scene for some time, and their new single, When It Ends, looks set to propel them even further. Drawing on influences such as Arctic Monkeys and Catfish and the Bottlemen, their sound blends gritty guitar riffs with thought-provoking lyricism, and When It Ends is a perfect showcase of this balance. Despite a gentle introduction, the track quickly takes a heavier…
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Naomi Campbell’s ‘The Cottage’ Is A Hauntingly Beautiful Folk Ballad
Liverpool-based Irish singer-songwriter Naomi Campbell continues her steady rise with her latest single The Cottage. Serving as the lead track from her upcoming debut EP, The Cottage showcases Campbell’s evolving sound, which has gradually expanded from her folk and Americana roots into something more expansive, drawing subtle influence from soul and R&B. The result is a track that feels both intimate and cinematic, anchored by her dynamic and evocative vocal performance. Recorded at Whitewood Studio…
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Review: So Long, Good Friday
Kicking off the 2026 UK festival season was So Long, Good Friday, a highly anticipated showcase of genre-bending music located in Liverpool’s own Baltic Triangle. With headliners such as Fat Dog and Brigitte Calls Me Baby, the newcomer festival was sure to be one to remember. Sprawled across multiple venue spaces (Camp and Furnace, District, Hangar 34 and Lost Art), So Long, Good Friday gave voice to upcoming artists predominantly from the Northwest. Faced with a decline in grassroots venues, artists from the North especially need opportunities like So Long, Good Friday…
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In Conversation: The Kowloons
The Kowloons are quickly carving out a reputation for their catchy melodies and authentic indie sound, drawing inspiration from Britpop greats while pushing confidently into new territory. With a new EP out this month and a series of standout live dates lined up, we caught up with the band to talk influences, Liverpool’s thriving music scene, and what 2026 has in store. For people who are just discovering you, how would you describe The Kowloons…
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Dealer’s Choice Release Bold New Single ‘Apex’
Liverpool-based duo Dealer’s Choice continue to build momentum with the release of their second single Apex, a confident follow-up to their debut track Some Kind of Way, which generated early buzz across the Merseyside music scene earlier this year. Comprised of Irish cousins Joe McHugh and Barry Mullaney, Dealer’s Choice occupy an exciting space between alternative and electronic music, blending dancefloor-ready grooves with thoughtful, introspective undertones. With Apex, the pair lean further into their high-energy…
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Live Review: Gorillaz at M&S Bank Arena
Fresh from the release of their ninth studio album, The Mountain, Gorillaz put on a dazzling show, worthy of the 15 year wait since their last Liverpool performance in 2001. Jampacked with household classics and soon-to-be hits, the native, so-called ‘virtual band’ filled out the iconic M&S Bank Arena with fans young and old- proving the universality of their brand and music. Set during the peak of the newly released album, The Mountain, the tour with the aptly same name, celebrated…
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The Feel Social Lands At Deluca’s This May With Special Guest DJ Allister Whitehead
This May, Liverpool venue DeLuca’s introduces something new to the city’s social calendar. The Feel Social arrives with positive and welcome vibes for those who genuinely care about music, played the way it should be. Taking place on Saturday 2nd May, from 4pm–11pm, the event reimagines the traditional day party, offering a carefully curated journey through sound. At its core is a deep appreciation for mid-century vinyl culture, with sets rooted in soul, funk and…
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Mike Ryan and the Salty Oranges Reflect on Connection in ‘Talking Like an Elephant’
Wirral-based singer-songwriter Mike Ryan and the Salty Oranges return with Talking Like an Elephant, a quietly affecting single rooted in emotional honesty and understated storytelling. The release also marks the official naming of his band, The Salty Oranges – a playful detail that signals a new and more defined chapter, as the project evolves into a fuller band sound. A firm favourite in the local music scene, Ryan has gone from strength to strength in…
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KingFast Returns With Introspective New Single ‘Chains’
Liverpool artist KingFast returns with Chains, a soulful R&B release that leans into introspection while showcasing the warmth and depth of Paul Walker’s unmistakable vocal style. Built around a smooth, emotive groove, Chains explores the quiet realisation that the barriers we blame on circumstance are often the ones we create ourselves. The track feels both personal and universal, capturing the internal dialogue that many listeners will recognise. As Walker explains: “I have just noticed that…
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Liverpool Music Heritage Trail Launches As Beatles Legacy Group Marks 10 Years
This month, The Beatles Legacy Group (BLG) will mark 10 years since its creation in 2016, to enhance and protect the cultural and economic impact of the Fab Four in their home city of Liverpool. Formed in response to a report which recognised the significant £81.9m impact The Beatles had on the economy of Liverpool, over the past 10 years, the BLG has continued in its purpose of boosting the visitor experience and ongoing impact…
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Live Review: Richard Ashcroft at M&S Bank Arena
Riding the wave of the public’s rekindled appetite for Britpop and everything that went along with the era, Richard Ashcroft took to the arena with the confidence of a man whose popularity has risen fivefold. Since his days in The Verve, Ashcroft has been recognised as one of the 1990s’ great exports – Urban Hymns is renowned as an indubitable masterpiece – but his profile as a songwriter hasn’t always matched his draw on the…
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Africa Oyé 2026 Adds Global Heavyweights From Mozambique, Trinidad & Senegal To Festival Line-up
Liverpool’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music has revealed another wave of international artists for 2026, with acts from Mozambique, Trinidad and Senegal joining an already impressive bill. Africa Oyé returns to Sefton Park on 20–21 June, bringing together global sounds, cultural experiences and family-friendly activities for a weekend festival that has become a staple of the city’s summer calendar. Legendary Mozambican band celebrate 40 years Joining the line-up is Ghorwane, one of Mozambique’s…
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Kate Nash Joins Sound City 2026 With Special Set & Conference Appearance
Outspoken indie icon Kate Nash has been confirmed for Sound City 2026, leading a huge new wave of over 30 artists announced for the city’s flagship new music festival this May. The singer-songwriter, actor and activist will perform a full live set across the festival weekend, as well as appear in a special in-person Q&A at the Sound City+ Conference—just weeks after making headlines by telling British MPs: “I sell pictures of my bum on…
Music is at the very heart of Liverpool’s identity. From its world-famous legacy as the birthplace of The Beatles to its ever-evolving grassroots scene, Liverpool has always been a city that lives and breathes music. Whether you’re a lifelong local or a first-time visitor, the city offers countless opportunities to experience live performances, discover new talent, and celebrate the enduring power of sound.
At Liverpool Noise, our Music section is dedicated to shining a spotlight on everything happening across the city’s vibrant scene. We cover everything from homegrown artists releasing exciting new music, to intimate gigs in independent venues, right through to global stars performing on the city’s biggest stages.
Liverpool’s Local Music Scene
One of the most exciting aspects of Liverpool’s music culture is the wealth of grassroots talent continually emerging from the city. Independent venues like The Jacaranda, EBGBs, and The Cavern Club play host to rising acts every week, giving audiences a chance to experience tomorrow’s stars today. Our reviews and features often highlight these musicians, helping fans keep up to date with who’s making waves in the scene.
Major Live Gigs and Touring Artists
Liverpool’s venues also attract some of the biggest touring artists from around the world. The M&S Bank Arena regularly welcomes international acts, while the O2 Academy and Mountford Hall bring in chart-topping artists across genres. Our coverage ensures you’ll always know which must-see gigs are coming up, along with honest reviews of the performances once they hit the stage.
Festivals and Music Events
Liverpool is home to an impressive calendar of music festivals, celebrating everything from indie and rock to electronic and jazz. Liverpool Sound City, Africa Oyé, and International Beatleweek are just a few of the city’s standout events, attracting audiences from across the UK and beyond. We keep readers informed about festival line-ups, previews, and highlights, so you never miss a beat.
Music Reviews and Features
Our team brings you reviews of the latest singles, EPs, and albums released by Liverpool artists, as well as coverage of standout live gigs. We also dive deeper with interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and features that explore the cultural impact of music within the city. Whether it’s an emerging indie band, an experimental electronic act, or a soul singer with powerful vocals, Liverpool Noise celebrates the diversity of sound that defines our city.
Why Music in Liverpool Matters
Liverpool’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music speaks volumes about its global cultural significance. The city’s musical past is legendary, but its present and future are just as exciting. Supporting local talent, enjoying world-class gigs, and engaging with the city’s music culture are all part of what makes Liverpool such a unique and inspiring place to live and visit.
If you want to keep your finger on the pulse of Liverpool’s music scene, our Music category is your essential guide. From discovering the best live gigs to reading about the latest album releases, Liverpool Noise connects you with the soundtrack of the city.