Sound City Festival returns to Liverpool next spring, and organisers have now officially confirmed their first headliner for 2026.
The festival, renowned for providing early platforms for the likes of The 1975, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Charli XCX, will take place between May 2nd–3rd, once again kicking off festival season in style up north.
And it has now been revealed that contemporary soul star and former city resident, Jalen Ngonda, will be the Sunday headliner in the iconic Grand Central Hall.
Once a student at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), Ngonda has long credited the city with shaping his musical identity.
A self-confessed Motown obsessive, he moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue his dream, performing twice at Sound City in 2017 and 2018 before his soulful sound went global.
Jalen commented: “Coming back to Liverpool is long overdue. 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.”
The headline slot is a huge step up from Ngonda’s last Liverpool appearance in 2023, where he played to an intimate 250-strong crowd at Jimmy’s Bar.
This time, more than 3,500 fans are expected to fill the Dome at Grand Central Hall.
Sound City’s Managing Director, Becky Ayres, commented: “Welcoming Jalen Ngonda back to Sound City as our 2026 headliner perfectly captures what our festival is all about — discovering and championing new artists, and giving them the platform to go on to achieve global success.
“Seeing him return as a true international star is a full-circle moment for Sound City.”
Sound City+ will also take place alongside the event – a one-day music industry conference that unites artists, executives, and innovators to explore the future of music.
The 2026 edition will take place on Friday May 1st, opening the festival weekend with panels, networking sessions, and hands-on workshops.
Grassroots artists will also get their chance to shine once again through Sound City’s Apply to Play system, offering emerging performers the opportunity to appear alongside established acts, with more details to follow soon.
With Early Bird Tickets already sold out, you can now grab weekend and day passes via www.soundcity.uk.com.
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