Official Partnership
In its second year, Liverpool Sound City (LSC) is still making time for firsts. The festival has named CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably, its official charity partner.
“I’ve always liked the close association between CALM and rock music,” says Marc Jones, Live Events Director at LSC. “It was a logical charity to link with.”
Jones also notes the similarity between the two organisations made it an easy decision. “The indie feel of ours made us want to go with a smaller charity,” he says.
As official charity partner, CALM will make its presence known via logos everywhere, a promotions person on the ground, and by holding a rock ‘n’ roll raffle, selling tickets for autographed memorabilia from bands like Oasis and The Zutons.
“I’ve always liked the close association between CALM and rock music…”
“It would be crazy for us not to be there,” says Simon Howes, CALM Development Coordinator, Merseyside. “It’s great for us, great for them.”
Last year’s event drew 15,000-20,000 to Liverpool during a four-day period. More than 350 bands – including The Zutons, The Rascals, White Lies, Clinic, and Johnny Foreigner – will play at this year’s event, which takes place at venues around the city from May 20-23. Unless sold out, tickets for the gigs can be purchased at the door. A festival wristband to gain access to all concerts and the conference costs £100.
As last year was the inaugural event, Jones says that this year is immensely important to the festival’s long-lasting success. “Last year, people came wondering what the appeal was to the festival,” he says. “The pressure is on during the second and third years to deliver a lasting impression. Our goal is to make Liverpool Sound City the CMJ or South by Southwest (SXSW) of Europe so that we become the launchpad for bands.
“I think there’s a great future for urban music festivals,” Jones adds. “You can go home at night rather than pitching your tent at the mercy of British weather conditions.”
