Half-naked growlers, Israel skankers, slacker Aussies and a band from Ormskirk, who says Liverpool Sound City doesn’t offer enough? Getintothis’ Adam Lowerson on the technicolour musical magic from day one.
Sound City displayed its remarkable technicolour dreamcoat of musical diversity on day one.
From the gentler, melodic indie pop stylings of New Zealand’s Ezra Vine in Leaf to the hard, pounding rock and roll sounds of Brighton duo Blood Red Shoes and Ormskirk’s alt-rock four-piece Twin Planets, there really is something for everyone.
The centrepiece of the festival and of Liverpool itself, the Anglican Cathedral, was opened by actor Olly Alexander‘sYears & Years. His soulful vocals accompanied the band’s electronic, synth laced R&B style perfectly.
This along with Israel’s Lucille Crew, whose combination of reggae soul and rap had everyone in Studio 2 skanking, provided festival goers with the perfect opportunity to put their dance moves to good use.
Courtney Barnett‘s debut Liverpool show had the Zanzibar packed to the rafters of people desperate to catch one of Australia’s hottest new acts along with her creatively named backing band, the Courtney Barnetts.
Her grunge inspired, slacker rock sound combined with brilliantly deadpan lyrics about oversleeping showcased singles such as Avant Gardener and History Eraser perfectly, making the set one of the stand out performances of the weekend.
Courtney Barnett performing live at The Zanzibar
The festival has without a doubt got off to a roaring start, but the real highlights were the incredible performances by two of the angriest bands on the planet, the Amazing Snakeheads and Fat White Family at Screenadelica.
Amazing Snakeheads live at The Black-E
The former combined slow-burning, sleazy bass lines with growled vocals to create a sound filled with pure, punishing aggression. It didn’t look like anyone would be able to follow their set. But Fat White Family stepped up, performing a set of pure chaos, ending with the shirtless frontman Lias Saudi being dropped in a heap on the dancefloor.
Their relentless punk sound and sheer energy made the line up of the Amazing Snakeheads followed by themselves one of the most exciting sequences of acts you will ever see.
Pictures by Getintothis‘ Simon Lewis and Tomas Adam
Further reading on Getintothis
Liverpool Sound City 2014 Review: Day One Round Up.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Top 10 Merseyside bands to watch
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Top 10 international bands to watch.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Top 10 UK bands to watch.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Getintothis‘ guide to the venues.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Things to do off the beaten track.
* John Cale – the grit in the oyster that shaped the sound we worship today.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Revo‘s routeplanner – the insider’s guide.
*Liverpool Sound City 2014: Getintothis presents Jon Hopkins and stellar Merseyside show at Nation.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Fringe events and John Peel World Cup revealed.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: The Hold Steady ready to bear their teeth.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014 – a Getintothis festival playlist.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014 add The Kooks to festival bill.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: He used to come round wearing make up and strange Japanese Kimono clothing – David Pichilingi.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: Jon Hopkins, Albert Hammond Jnr, Drenge and more for May festival.
* Liverpool Sound City 2014 announce headliners Kodaline plus Gruff Rhys and Fuck Buttons for May festival
* Liverpool Sound City 2014: John Cale and Thurston Moore head up Conference speakers
* Liverpool Sound City 2014 reveal football, music and style themes
* Liverpool Sound City 2013: Top 10 bands and review round up of the festival
