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Gil Scott-Heaven at Liverpool Sound City
By DavidJPichilingi on 04 May 2010
So 3 weeks to go before we lift the curtain on the main festival. We already have a line up that would make most festivals weep in anguished tears of bitter jealousy, but not content with that we have added to the line up this week with the unstoppable Tinchy Stryder. Just when most festivals would pack up and call it a day we go and add Mssr Stryder. We do like to spoil our audience.
Of course we are also still top value with our festival wristbands still available at 45 quid. However time is running out...if you want to get your mitts on them at this price you need to move fast as we move them up to the walk up rate of 60 quid very soon. So stop dawdling and get your act together. You can save 15 pounds that you can spend on pop, crisps and sweets when you hit the beautiful metropolis of Liverpool... what better way to welcome the summer!
Check out the website for the full band listings and all the other amazing films, parties and shindigs that we are putting on.
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
Liverpool Sound City
19 to 22nd May 2010
It will be ace...promise.
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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Dave on the greatest swindler of them all - Malcolm McLaren
By DavidJPichilingi on 15 April 2010What a sad week it is... death of a maverick... the greatest swindler of them all... Big Malc. OK the guy was no saint but the music business was a far more interesting place with him in it. In fact that is the problem all the great starmakers and svengalis are slowly slipping away. I was privileged enough to work with two of the greats: Rob Gretton (Joy Division and Factory) and Tony Wilson (Factory, Hacienda and In The City). I learned so much about an aesthetic approach to the business and a cock sure bullishness that your way is right and fuck everybody else. There is not enough of that left in music.
Too many people now do not know what they like, have shit record collections and could not make a decision if their life depended on it. Maybe that is why no-one has anything to say anymore and most things are so dull and boring.
Anyway, I’ll put the soapbox away and onto all things Sound City. I know I have been building it up for the past weeks and months but believe me when I say it is shaping up to be the best yet. We have really pushed the boat out on the line-up this year. I think it is the best we have had in the last 3 years. Of course as you would expect we have lined up the best zeitgeist acts breaking through alongside those with durability and substance who have been ploughing and improving their craft over the past few years. We have however avoided the trap of going down the route of the latest ‘has beens’ and ‘next big things this week.’ We have simply not taken the bait on the latest Emperors New Clothes... those of you who know will know exactly what I mean. How do we do this? Well quite simple really... we have the best bookers with the best ears in the world who are not sycophants. OK there are a few things we would have loved but for one reason or another we could not get them... se la vie.
So our best festival yet in the best city in the world. There is still time to get tickets. This year for the first time you can buy day wristbands. We did this as many of our fans and bands now come from Scotland, the Northeast and Yorkshire and only get chance to stay one night... so we listened to your feedback and built this in as an option this year.
Anyway back to digging coal. Check out our website for full line-ups, special events, conference speakers and tons more exciting stuff.
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
See you in Liverpool in May....It will be a laugh (we promise).
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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Too many people now do not know what they like, have shit record collections and could not make a decision if their life depended on it. Maybe that is why no-one has anything to say anymore and most things are so dull and boring.
Anyway, I’ll put the soapbox away and onto all things Sound City. I know I have been building it up for the past weeks and months but believe me when I say it is shaping up to be the best yet. We have really pushed the boat out on the line-up this year. I think it is the best we have had in the last 3 years. Of course as you would expect we have lined up the best zeitgeist acts breaking through alongside those with durability and substance who have been ploughing and improving their craft over the past few years. We have however avoided the trap of going down the route of the latest ‘has beens’ and ‘next big things this week.’ We have simply not taken the bait on the latest Emperors New Clothes... those of you who know will know exactly what I mean. How do we do this? Well quite simple really... we have the best bookers with the best ears in the world who are not sycophants. OK there are a few things we would have loved but for one reason or another we could not get them... se la vie.
So our best festival yet in the best city in the world. There is still time to get tickets. This year for the first time you can buy day wristbands. We did this as many of our fans and bands now come from Scotland, the Northeast and Yorkshire and only get chance to stay one night... so we listened to your feedback and built this in as an option this year.
Anyway back to digging coal. Check out our website for full line-ups, special events, conference speakers and tons more exciting stuff.
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
See you in Liverpool in May....It will be a laugh (we promise).
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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From Afrika Bambaataa to Wild Beasts
By DavidJPichilingi on 06 April 2010
Anyway we are all back home now safe and sound... despite electrical storms over NYC which gave me the jitters and made me think of every plane disaster movie I have seen since I was 12 years of age... A vivid and creative imagination can sometimes be such a curse.
So to all things Liverpool Sound City. Even if I was not involved with it I think I would be so so excited at the prospect.It is shaping up to be the best yet.
We launch with the legendary Gil Scott-Heron on 29th April then during our 4 days to DIY for we have it all.... Paloma Faith in Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, The Maccabees performing 2 shows (one in conjunction with Underage Festival - first sojourn out of the big smoke), Ian McCulloch back in St Georges (triumphant return since his Crystal Days performance), some of Manchester’s old and new skool including The Fall, Delphic, Everything Everything and Egyptian Hip Hop. On the rock tip we have Blackout, Attack Attack and some blistering names to announce next week... As if this wasn’t enough we also have British Sea Power, the irrepressible Chilly Gonzales, Wild Beasts, Blood Red Shoes, Speech Debelle....
DEEP BREATH HERE
Sound City is much more than just an amazing music festival. We have confirmed the Godfather of Hip Hop Afrika Bambaataa who is performing a one off (18th May) and coming to Sound City with his mate Ernie Pannicioli. Who is Ernie I here you ask? Ernie is seen as God to most American Hip Hop legends. He has archived US Hip Hop from its very early days to the present and has worked with... well everyone. He will be doing a special Q&A with his mate Bambaataa at the Sound City conference. We will also be showing the UK premiere of ‘The Sixth Element- The Other Side of Hip Hop’ with a special intro from Bam the Man. Ernie will also have a photo exhibition on show at Sound City showing some of his key portraits of Hip Hop legends from the past 30 years.
Other film specials include a Directors cut of the highly acclaimed ‘Oil City Confidential’ (20th May) with a Q&A with Julien Temple and axe supremo Wilko Johnson.....who will then run off to perform a show later that night!
There is so so much more to tell you but there are simply not enough hours in the day. If you want to check out the full programme go to our lovely website to get the lowdown on everything.
The best way to get the best hit from the Sound City experience is to get your wristband which gets you into just about everything as well as the coolest VIP parties and secret events and shows on offer.
In a nutshell Liverpool Sound City is 35 venues, 400 bands, 35000 revellers...4 days of business and hedonism in the coolest city on this planet. Come and join us.
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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The Revolution Will Be Live... at Liverpool Sound City
By DavidJPichilingi on 12 March 2010
I’ll give you a full round up of how it all went, but back in Blighty this week has been one of the busiest and most exciting yet as we finalise the bill of Liverpool Sound City 2010.
As a massive fan of his work, it was an incredible buzz to be able to announce that the legendary Gil Scott-Heron we be playing a special show to open the festival at Liverpool’s gorgeous Philharmonic Hall on Thursday 29th April.
Gil laid out the blueprint for the whole hip-hop genre back in 1971 when he released timeless tracks like The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and The Bottle. Since then he’s faced a fare demons with spells in jail and problems with drugs. Thankfully this year saw him comeback with the amazing I’m New Here album, released on XL Recordings and he’s been rightfully acclaimed as the godfather of rap by Jay-Z among others.
I can’t wait for his show and what an amazing way to kick off the festival!
Loads of other great bands from all over the world have also confirmed this week – the highlights are too numerous to mention but I can’t leave without mentioning the incredible Holy Fuck who have just confirmed a show on the 19th May. The band has a legendary live reputation and anyone who saw them at Glastonbury in 2007 will know what I mean!
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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Liverpool Sound City: Bands and Facts
By DavidJPichilingi on 19 February 2010
Chilly Gonzales
www.myspace.com/gonzpiration
Thursday 20th May Alma de Cuba
***EXCLUSIVE PIANO AND TALK SHOW!***This man once broke a world record for the longest solo-artist performance with a total time of 27 hours, 3 minutes and 44 seconds!!
Reverend Soundsystem
www.myspace.com/reverendmusic
Friday 21st May Korova
***New live project from Reverend & The Makers***featuring Jagz Kooner!!!
The Maccabees
www.myspace.com/themaccabees
Saturday 22nd May O2 Academy Matinee & Evening Shows
***Special Matinee Show for under 18’s also***
Ian McNabb
www.myspace.com/ianmcnabbtheicicleworks
Saturday 22nd May Stanley Theatre
***Special One Off Show, with more of an electronic focus***Ian McNabb curates J
Now that’s your lot for this week, festival wristbands to see ALL shows are available here…www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/tickets
Take them facts to the pub quiz on Monday night and thank me next week,
Carly Jayne Crowder
Head of Marketing and Communications
Liverpool Sound City
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Sound City take over SxSW
By DavidJPichilingi on 15 February 2010The days just seem to run away with themselves. In the blink of an eye it is mid February. Currently we are planning our next international sojourn that takes us to cowboy country, to SxSW, deep in the heart of Texas. This is our 5th year out there promoting parties. Under the banner of Liverpool Sound City we present the best of emerging talent from the Northwest. Over the past few years we have worked with artists such as The Whip, The Wombats, The Coral, Eugene McGuinness, John Smith, The Rascals, Wave Machines and loads more. We like to think we have done our bit to pave their career paths with gold and help them on their way along the rickety path of rock and roll.
This year we are presenting some great new acts such as Everything Everything, Ten Bears, The Suzukis and welcoming back Wave Machines on the back of their critically acclaimed album. If you are in Austin and fancy joining us for a Shiner Bock we are at Latitude 30 on Saturday 20th May.
Alongside this we are of course now in the full throes of planning for Liverpool Sound City.
This is our third year and we are amazed just how much anticipation there is from bands and people from all over the world who want to be part of our beautifully formed boutique festival. This year we have already had applications from bands from over 20 different countries that want to come to the coolest city in the world to show what they can do. It seems the Sound City word is spreading. We try to treat all the bands that play Sound City with great respect. We spend a fortune on our production to make sure we get it right. On top of that, the atmosphere and the welcome artists get in Liverpool is second to no other event or festival in the world. As the old saying goes, ‘people make a place’ and never is that more true than in Liverpool.
Over the last few weeks we gave exclusive announcements through VF about our first draft of signees. We are very pleased to be bringing Paloma Faith to the city and putting her in the grand splendor of The Royal Philharmonic Hall. And Mercury Music prize loving Speech Debelle in our parent venue, the renowned 02 Academy.
I am also over the moon regarding the Sound City conference and the arrival of the legendary Seymour Stein to Liverpool shores. The man is a walking legend. His ears alone are worth millions. This is the man who created my meaning for being as a kid by introducing me to the likes of The Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie and single handedly re-launched the career of Lou Reed and made him sound like the Velvets again! No mean feat...
Over the coming weeks I am going to bring you updates about more amazing bands, artists and speakers than you could shake a stick at. Stick with me. It is going to be a good ride from here til May. By the time the dust settles Liverpool Sound City will be ready to present over 450 bands in over 30 venues with a world class international music, technology and media conference thrown in to boot.
Tara for now
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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This year we are presenting some great new acts such as Everything Everything, Ten Bears, The Suzukis and welcoming back Wave Machines on the back of their critically acclaimed album. If you are in Austin and fancy joining us for a Shiner Bock we are at Latitude 30 on Saturday 20th May.
Alongside this we are of course now in the full throes of planning for Liverpool Sound City.
This is our third year and we are amazed just how much anticipation there is from bands and people from all over the world who want to be part of our beautifully formed boutique festival. This year we have already had applications from bands from over 20 different countries that want to come to the coolest city in the world to show what they can do. It seems the Sound City word is spreading. We try to treat all the bands that play Sound City with great respect. We spend a fortune on our production to make sure we get it right. On top of that, the atmosphere and the welcome artists get in Liverpool is second to no other event or festival in the world. As the old saying goes, ‘people make a place’ and never is that more true than in Liverpool.
Over the last few weeks we gave exclusive announcements through VF about our first draft of signees. We are very pleased to be bringing Paloma Faith to the city and putting her in the grand splendor of The Royal Philharmonic Hall. And Mercury Music prize loving Speech Debelle in our parent venue, the renowned 02 Academy.
I am also over the moon regarding the Sound City conference and the arrival of the legendary Seymour Stein to Liverpool shores. The man is a walking legend. His ears alone are worth millions. This is the man who created my meaning for being as a kid by introducing me to the likes of The Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie and single handedly re-launched the career of Lou Reed and made him sound like the Velvets again! No mean feat...
Over the coming weeks I am going to bring you updates about more amazing bands, artists and speakers than you could shake a stick at. Stick with me. It is going to be a good ride from here til May. By the time the dust settles Liverpool Sound City will be ready to present over 450 bands in over 30 venues with a world class international music, technology and media conference thrown in to boot.
Tara for now
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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Here come the girls!
By DavidJPichilingi on 04 February 2010So Dave’s in the big smoke schmoozing and has foolishly handed me control of this fine news purveyor again…
And what a week of news we have. He’s missed a good one.
Firstly I can reveal that the effervescent Hackney born, half-Spanish lovely that is Paloma Faith will be giving Liverpool Sound City 2010 the kick-start it deserves.
The former magicians assistant and burlesque dancer once joked about slumming it at festivals, “Anywhere you can’t wear stilettos just isn’t worth going”, so we’ve taken that quote and run with it, providing her with a show in one of Europe’s finest art deco buildings and the home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, ‘Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’.
The following evening local favourites, and Sound City friends Wave Machines are promising pop rhythms and selling us soaring synths in Liverpool’s favourite underground hotspot the Kazimier. NME’s last years ‘ones to watch’, we’re watching and we’re taking notes.
Friday night will then see ‘MercuryAwardWinningSpeechDebelle’ (as she is now collectively known) ride in to the city on a wave of critical acclaim to headline our partner venue O2Academy2. According to Debelle the Liverpool accent is her favourite accent in the world and she can’t wait to come and hear us speak….well come ed’ girl, calm down and get yourself to our proper sound city, it’ll be boss - I’m preparing a ‘Speech’ as we speak!
On the opposite end of town, Friday 21st May will see Korova host crafty electronica act Gold Panda (sounds rare!), with Bristol based guests Hook and The Twin and dance act Grosvenor.
But now the news that has had the office standing to attention, combing our bearskins, and shining our buttons is the announcement that musical royalty Seymour Stein will be delivering one of our keynote talks this year.
For the ignorant reader Seymour Stein is the cofounder and chairman of Sire Records, the label that put Punk and New Wave on the map. Famous for signing artists such as Madonna, The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads and Liverpool’s own Echo and the Bunnymen he is one of the last old-school “record men” still working in the music business, Stein succeeded by anticipating the next musical wave and signing its brightest lights.
For the fast fingered amongst you individual gig tickets will be available from 9am Friday 5th February from www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
And for the lucky few early bird wristbands and delegate passes will be available until Friday 5th February.
Carly Jayne Crowder
Head of Marketing and Communications
Liverpool Sound City
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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And what a week of news we have. He’s missed a good one.
Firstly I can reveal that the effervescent Hackney born, half-Spanish lovely that is Paloma Faith will be giving Liverpool Sound City 2010 the kick-start it deserves.
The former magicians assistant and burlesque dancer once joked about slumming it at festivals, “Anywhere you can’t wear stilettos just isn’t worth going”, so we’ve taken that quote and run with it, providing her with a show in one of Europe’s finest art deco buildings and the home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, ‘Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’.
The following evening local favourites, and Sound City friends Wave Machines are promising pop rhythms and selling us soaring synths in Liverpool’s favourite underground hotspot the Kazimier. NME’s last years ‘ones to watch’, we’re watching and we’re taking notes.
Friday night will then see ‘MercuryAwardWinningSpeechDebelle’ (as she is now collectively known) ride in to the city on a wave of critical acclaim to headline our partner venue O2Academy2. According to Debelle the Liverpool accent is her favourite accent in the world and she can’t wait to come and hear us speak….well come ed’ girl, calm down and get yourself to our proper sound city, it’ll be boss - I’m preparing a ‘Speech’ as we speak!
On the opposite end of town, Friday 21st May will see Korova host crafty electronica act Gold Panda (sounds rare!), with Bristol based guests Hook and The Twin and dance act Grosvenor.
But now the news that has had the office standing to attention, combing our bearskins, and shining our buttons is the announcement that musical royalty Seymour Stein will be delivering one of our keynote talks this year.
For the ignorant reader Seymour Stein is the cofounder and chairman of Sire Records, the label that put Punk and New Wave on the map. Famous for signing artists such as Madonna, The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads and Liverpool’s own Echo and the Bunnymen he is one of the last old-school “record men” still working in the music business, Stein succeeded by anticipating the next musical wave and signing its brightest lights.
For the fast fingered amongst you individual gig tickets will be available from 9am Friday 5th February from www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
And for the lucky few early bird wristbands and delegate passes will be available until Friday 5th February.
Carly Jayne Crowder
Head of Marketing and Communications
Liverpool Sound City
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
Comments (0) | Permalink
Liverpool Sound City: Look what we built in the snow....a website!
By DavidJPichilingi on 14 January 2010Check it out and let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter.
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/liverpoolsoundcity
www.twiter.com/soundcity
We’ve also been hard at work developing a new element to our conference; ‘Create @ Sound City’
Still in its early phase but as part of its ongoing commitment to grass roots education and the DIY spirit of music, this will be a series of educational panels, workshops, seminars and interactive sessions aimed at both new and established artists and young people.
More details coming soon…
Our A&R team are also back on the case watching and listening to bands and artists from up and down the country who would like to play at the festival….
To apply to play visit www.sonicbids.com
Or exclusively for a limited time only members of Sentric Music.com can apply to play for free, by signing up on www.sentricmusic.com
Applications will be sifted by our panels of bookers, shortlisted and you will be notified through these networks if successful.
Please note we no longer accept applications through our MySpace page so if you want to be heard or know someone who should play send them to Sonic Bids!
If you want to be involved in the music, conference or other special events there is still time to get your hands on a limited Early Bird Discounted passes.
Visit www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk for ticket details.
Please note-you will NOT be able to pay on the door for any gigs at Liverpool Sound City this year so get your wristbands fast!
A snowy & Cold,
DP
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #12
By DavidJPichilingi on 21 December 2009Actually the wheels are already in full motion. We are already lining up some of our key bands and artists and over the coming weeks and months it will be my pleasure to reveal them here first. Liverpool Sound City has always prided itself on unearthing the best talent before any other festival get their dirty mitts on them.
Over the past 2 years we have been the first to present such luminaries as Santigold (when she was still Santagold), Glasvegas, Iglu and Hartley, Ladyhawke, Crystal Castles, Florence and the Machine (when she was still wearing thick wooly socks) The Whip and White Lies alongside relative veterans such as The Zutons, The Wombats, Hadouken!, Enter Shikari, You Me At Six...the list goes on. All in all over 450 bands in over 30 amazing venues which include car parks to Grade 1 listed buildings.
On top of this we also host a world class international music business conference. Once again this features debates, discussions, networking events, meet and greets with the very best people from all levels and areas of the music business. This is aimed at those people who have made a career out of music to the new young guns who are on the first rung of the ladder and turn to Sound City to make their first contacts and learn more about how not to do things. Once again we look for innovative ways of turning the traditional conference on its head and offer new ways for people to get their message across and engage with each other. Las year we did an event called The Trial which involved real courts, real judges, real barristers and real people from the music business on trial in front of a real jury made up of music fanatics.
This year we promise to be even bigger and better. Liverpool Sound City happens May 19th to the 22nd 2010. There are exclusive ticket offers on now that end very soon. Get them and treat the one you love to the best Christmas present they will get this year!
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
Anyway that is probably just about enough for now. Stay tuned and have a great Christmas.
David J. Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #11
By DavidJPichilingi on 18 November 2009Over the three days there were some amazing highlights. The Doves playing a veritable hitlist set under a cloudless starry sky, Shaun Ryder working hard to remember the words and try not to swear at the same time. He failed, but it didn’t matter. Young guns such as We Have Band, Sound of Guns and Bicycle Thieves played blistering shows that were lapped up by ecstatic crowds hungry for new music. Personal faves The Whip did their usual clinical job and won thousands of new fans in the process. The prominent common factor that ran through the whole event was the absolute joy on the faces of bands and fans alike. No-one could quite believe what they were witnessing and taking part in. It really did feel like we were making a little bit of history.
Big thanks need to go to the amazing teams in both Dubai and UK who worked endless hours to deliver what was an amazing spectacle. There was sweat, there were tears there was even a bit of blood spilled, but you did it! Well done.
Putting a festival on in the desert was never going to be easy. We now have year 1 firmly under our belt. We look forward to doing it all again next year, bigger and better! See you on the beach (again) in 2010.
Check out the amazing archive of images from everything that happened at Dubai Sound City at markmcnulty.typepad.com
David J. Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #10
By DavidJPichilingi on 06 November 2009
As the sun blazed down on The Irish Village, Dubai, and the crowd heated up in more ways than one, the inaugural Dubai Sound City was opened yesterday by deserved ‘Road to Sound City’ winners Sho. Followed neatly by local band Tim Hassall and August Company, it was the faultless start to a perfect day.
After a short break for prayer times, Sound City favourites Bicycle Thieves pulled in a steady crowd generating many a whisper of ‘these guys are going to be big’, followed swiftly by fellow Scousers Sound Of Guns who one audience member summed up perfectly with the phrase ‘These guys were born to play on that stage-they are a festival headlining band already’.
Meanwhile across the city, Music industry heavyweights were discussing the merits of mailing lists and the Middle East’s potential in the musical rights market. For detailed conference updates visit http://newsblog.thecmuwebsite.com/
Back to the main stage, Irish Rockers Aslan, did what they do best and drew in what could only be the majority of Dubai’s Irish population.
In the mean time, Dubai Sound City’s under 21 arena at Festival City was playing host to some of the most talked about new music artists from all over the world on the fabulous floating stage.
Then the main stage mic was handed back to the Scousers with The Farm openly admitting it was the first time they hadn’t drunk alcohol on stage! And it certainly wasn’t a hindrance! After a set that generated obvious bouts of reminiscing and recognition of the classics in the crowd, the crash barriers were well and truly holding their own when Sunderland’s finest fun purveyors The Futureheads took to the stage.
Closing on the classic ‘Hounds Of Love’ to an echoed response of the lyrics, there were only positive comments airborne about the band.
As the crowd grabbed another beer and took their places, Manchester’s finest Doves gave the other northerners a run for their money by their heart on their sleeve and pouring out their soul.
Backstage there was not a band in their dressing room as the VIP area became clogged with memories of Doves as far back as ‘Sub-Sub’.
Then thoughts went even further back, when Sheffield’s electronic pioneers The Human League burst onto the main stage with a setlist that would not be out of place in a top ten list of the greatest electro pop songs ever. With all the superlatives imaginable being banded around the site Dubai Sound City had well and truly arrived.
But this wasn’t the end. This is Dubai and contrary to popular belief these guys now how to party and they do it well.
With The Whip playing a storming set to a full house in Chi, followed by the ever effervescent Layo & Bushwacka!, Alpha was packed out for the inimitable live show of Foreign Beggars.
With Day Two swiftly approaching all eyes are on Happy Mondays, Ocean Colour Scene, and over 30 of other acts to deliver what we know they are both more than capable of.
Check back for more updates tomorrow and keep checking back on www.dubaisoundcity.com for photos appearing shortly!
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #9
By DavidJPichilingi on 03 November 2009
So it’s down to me…
After an overnight flight I feeling pretty rough myself but the nature of festivals is that for one week of every project sleep becomes non-existent.
As the airport gets busier, there’s a buzz about Dubai that few people here have seen or heard before. Taxi drivers are asking what band I’m in, the hotel want to know which celebrities are staying there and I’m convinced that in the porters back pocket is an autograph book…just in case…
I arrive at the main festival hub, which is also one of our key afterparty venues and Voted Time Out Dubai’s favourite club in the city, Alpha.
The dancefloor, offices, DJ booths, and main stage are littered with tired faces eagerly tapping away on some of Apple’s finest machines and the Crackberrys are whirring in an almost uniform sound. Aaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwww the sweet sound of an imminent festival.
The Human League have just been picked up at the airport this morning and dropped safely back off into their hotel suite and the drivers are on standby to start ferrying in the rest of the bands with the imminent arrival of bands from The Happy Mondays, Ocean Colour Scene, Doves, Echo and the Bunnymen, Super Furry Animals and The Wombats to Nitin Sawhney, The Futureheads, The Automatic and Outlandish.
On venturing to the main stage area - what was once a home to several ducks in the form of a massive lake is no more - workers are busy building the main stage from scratch… in 35 degree heat….I do NOT envy them one bit.
As I put the final touches to the press and media centre (including organising tea bags!) the Air Conditioning is a much needed rescue, in what can only be described as a small haven on a VERY busy site.
T minus 36 hours to go, but it’s nearly there….
Check back on Virtual Festivals for daily blogs, photos and backstage gossip.
Carly Jayne Crowder
Head Marketing And Communications
Sound City
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #8
By DavidJPichilingi on 27 October 2009This question does not relate to me questioning the pros and cons of wearing women’s clothing. That answer is obvious. It relates to the complications of negotiating the rights of televisual broadcasting for the content of Dubai Sound City. This week it seems the world and his wife have all taken a massive interest in getting their hands on footage for the launch of Dubai Sound City. That said none of them have any money... Everybody it seems wants something for free and has endless reasons of the tumultuous benefits to be gained by our good selves in just giving it away. Is this symptomatic of the culture we now live in as the industry shrinks through ever shallower ponds in which to fish due to the onslaught of technology... Not that I am a Luddite. I welcome change with open arms but with it comes lots of problems that might also be termed opportunities depending upon which hill you are stood on.
So, nearly a week to go. Everything is shaping up to be the most amazing 3 days the UAE has ever witnessed. We are flying in over 100 bands (including Happy Mondays, Echo and The Bunnymen, and The Human League) and 40 speakers who will be coming into Dubai on over 1000 flights and sleeping over 5000 hotel bed nights. Booking this lot alone has been a mammoth task, and not without the odd hissy fit and diva distraction. Mentioning no names!
I am happy to say we are nearly there. I am due to fly out to Dubai end of this week for final on the ground planning and today... I go down with flu. I might also add it is the worst kind, manflu. As I write this I am feeling sorry for myself whilst responding to phone calls and emails regarding all the last minute planning and finer details.
Also, well done to our competition winner. The lovely Liz and her partner Jason will be joining us for some fun in the sun! Check back on Virtual Festivals for their story in a few weeks.
For those of you still itching to be part of the action there is still time. Tickets available here http://platinumlist.ae/dsctickets/
Come and join us for what is going to be the world’s hottest winter music festival.
Remember to pack your sun cream and bring me some Lemsip.
Achoo!
David J. Pichilingi
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
P.S. Don’t forget to vote for Liverpool Sound City as ‘Best Metropolitan Festival’ at www.festivalawards.com
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #7
By DavidJPichilingi on 15 October 2009Actually to be fair this is slightly unfair as I am referring to a minority of artists and in some of those cases not the actual acts but the ‘guards’ in front of them. In my experience they are the biggest problem… I think it is to do with their desire to create meaning and identity for themselves and this can only be done by becoming dickheads of the highest order thereby becoming instantly memorable and recognizable, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Anyway off my soapbox before I leave the safe territory of vagueness and wander into the dangerous area of specificity.
Dubai Sound City is nearly on us. In fact it is so close I am beginning to get that sick feeling and waking up at 5am in the morning panicking about how many toilets we have in the main arena and what paper shall we print the programme on. I should actually just relax. Our teams in both Dubai and Liverpool are well on target to deliver what is going to be the most exciting event in the UAE since they first unearthed black gold. All the final touches and finer details that make Sound City so unique and special are now being added. I am particularly looking forward to taking over our old Liverpool compadres Echo and The Bunnymen after listening to their new album this week, and We Have Band who impressed me massively at Liverpool Sound City this year.
Visit the new Platinumlist ticket site for ticket details and full line up...http://platinumlist.ae/dsctickets/
Did you enter the competition yet? There is still time. Just follow this link for the chance to join us for the launch of Dubai Sound City.
Currently the phone is off the hook as it seems just about everyone wants to be in Dubai for the launch of the world’s hottest winter music festival.
I really need to relax and not get too excited too fast… There is only so much a man can take and I need a decent night’s sleep before the big day arrives.
Speak next week
David J. Pichilingi
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #6
By DavidJPichilingi on 07 October 2009
To see all the photos from the launch CLICK HERE.
One funny incident that seems to have seeped through from the gig was the incident that has been referred to as ‘the tattooed man.’ One eager fan was keen to show the tattoo that covered the whole of his back and contained the lyrics to ‘I Am The Resurrection’. Ian pointed this out to his mate at the side of the stage and asked him to come and take a look. His mate got the wrong end of the stick and thought he wanted him to dealt with in a more serious manner. Suffice to say it all ended in laughter and joy and this strange Alan Partridge moment ended up with worshiper meeting hero backstage (see photo below of aforementioned tattoo).
There’s been loads of footage of the gig put live too…. Click here to see some of the footage.
This week I am very pleased to be announcing our competition that will see 2 people (1 pair) of tickets being whisked away on a plane for the Dubai Sound City festival and conference with hotel accommodation for 3 nights and VIP tickets that will get you into everything including the secret hideaway parties. To win all you have to do is follow this link to learn details of how to enter.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE DUBAI SOUND CITY COMPETITION.
As announced in previous weeks the full line up for Dubai Sound City can be found HERE.
On top of this lucky winners will also gain access to our international music business conference at the Emirates Towers Hotel. Speakers and panels for this can be found HERE.
Good luck to all of you who enter and if you can’t wait we have some amazing deals on flights and hotels with our partners ET travel. CLICK HERE.
Dubai Sound City is the world’s hottest winter music festival. Make sure you are with us in November!
Amour
David J. Pichilingi x
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
Remember Liverpool Sound City has been nominated as ‘Best Metropolitan Festival’ also in the UK Festival Awards. There is still time to vote and we would love to win this and you can help us by going to http://www.festivalawards.com and voting for us. All entries have the chance of winning tickets to all the winning festivals too.
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #5
By DavidJPichilingi on 01 October 2009Well I am now in Dubai. Two hours later than I anticipated… Alas dinner and football did not happen. Instead we resigned ourselves to Alpha which is one of the key venues for Dubai Sound City. I caught up on the adventures of the day and it turned out Alex Bracken (our partner in Dubai) had been out all day with Ian showing him the sights of Dubai. This included a trip to the opening of the new Adidas shop where Ian and the band and the crew all ended up with a whole new wardrobe! Sorry I missed out on that one…
Tonight is the show. Next week I will be posting pictures from the launch and also be announcing the competition for the chance to win a pair of VIP tickets along with flights and hotel.
For those of you who can’t wait you can find out about special offers and travel packages at our website. Just go to www.dubaisoundcity.com
Part of the reason for this visit will be to look at the site of the actual festival. It will be in the stunning setting of Le Meridien. The main stage will be set over a lake. I know it all sounds quite Spinal Tap but you simply have to see it to see just how amazing it is going to look. This main stage will run throughout all 3 days of the festival and into the late hours. Also during every evening we will be hosting special events and parties at some other stunning venues across Dubai including Chi, 360 and Alpha. Your wristband will gain you access to over 70 bands and 10 stunning venues.
The aim is to make Dubai the setting for an annual winter music festival and international music business conference. The feedback we have been reading suggests other festivals and conferences are looking weary and tired and also charging extortionate amounts for tickets, drinks, stands and just about anything else.
Dubai Sound City is going to be the world’s hottest winter music festival and conference. Why not join us for what is going to be an amazing launch event.
Speak later
David J Pichilingi
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #4
By DavidJPichilingi on 28 September 2009Very excited today since we just confirmed trip Hop legends De La Soul for Dubai Sound City. They join what is now a truly amazing line up for the launch of our amazing festival in the winter sun........Definitely getting very excited now!
This week I am off to Hamburg to the Reeperbahn Festival. I have never been to this festival before. You really could go to one of these things every week if you wanted. I think that is part of the problem and this is why the lovely Sound City people strive to give you much, much more than just your run of the mill festival.
That said the line up looks interesting with personal highlights including Biffy Clyro, Das Pop, Fight Like Apes and most surprisingly Dinosaur Jnr. Really looking forward to seeing J Mascis and co as I think it is, near as damn it the original line up. While I am over there I will be taking part in the music business conference aspect of the festival by debating on a panel entitled ‘Festevolution’. No idea what I will be talking about but I am sure I will get into the swing of it when I am there. I think I will just be really contentious and wind people up.....always seems to work. Which brings us nicely to Dubai Sound City. As you maybe aware Sound City is not just about presenting the most amazing bands we can muster up in one place. Over 3 days in the stunning setting of Emirates Towers Hotel we will present a truly international music business conference that will bring together a sterling list of the mavericks, movers, shakers and money makers that make the music business go round. Once again this is a first for this region of the world.
Speakers taking part in the conference to be held at the prestigious Jumeirah Emirates Towers, which was recently voted the “World’s Leading Business Hotel” by the World Travel Awards will include Julian Wall, the BPI’s Director of International Events & Independent Member Services, Bobby Talwar director of Only Much Louder an event and music management company that recently put on Indian’s first international festival, The Big Chill, Goa, Shun Mori from Japanese publishers Fujipacific, Mazher Ramzanali who founded artists mangement company 21 Tigers in India, PRS for Music director Myles Keller, The Agency Group’s Geoff Meall who represents acts including Razorlight, Doves and The White Stripes, Crispin Hearn and Matt Bates from Primary Talent, who represent Oasis, Babyshambles, Ladytron, The Wombats and many more, Spek Hassan from International Music Publishing house Fairwood Music Publishing, Brian Neilsen from Danish agents Skandinavian Bookings and Music Producer, A&R Executive, Songwriter and musician, Jeff Blue who has A&R’d Linkin Park and Macy Gray amongst others.
Featuring conference panel formats interlaced with roundtable discussions topics, day one will include; “Communication Breakdown?” looking at the social media networks that are really the key to connecting with audiences and whether mobile downloads could be the way forward globally. “All Around the World” which will offer sage advice on dealing with the trials and tribulations of touring outside your own backyard. “Publishing as We Know it?” with a marked difference in their copyright laws how do the Middle East publishers compare to music publishers from around the world? “All You Need Is Cash - Money Can Buy You Love!” which will highlight the weird and wonderful ways to raise finance.
Whilst day two’s discussions on will include “The Secret World of the Agent”, In a time where live music becomes ever more popular there couldn’t be a better time to go on the road, just what is it the agent actually does? “Dubai and India: The Titans of the Middle East and Asia” with over 50% of India’s 1.2 billion population being under 25, is this the key market for music in the future? Can Dubai, UAE and India be serious contenders for a new emerging market with the West? “Sync – The Answer to Our Prayers or a Hollow Victory?” With the bottom falling out of recorded sales and touring fees not what they used to be, is the only way to make serious money through syncs? And “MUSIC IS FREE, MUSIC IS FREE, MUSIC IS FREE” how many times do we have to say it before the Majors begin to understand it? If we accept it maybe we can move on and try to make some kind of sense for the future of the industry. Or should we accept it at all and could we turn it around and make the consumer see the value in purchasing music once more?
CLICK HERE FOR DUBAI SOUNDCITY CONFERENCE NEWS
If you want to be part of Dubai Sound City and everything we are serving up we will also shortly be offering the chance to win two VIP passes plus free hotel and flights. For those of you who do not want to miss out then check out our website for details of flight and hotel deals.
Anyway off to pack my bags now for Hamburg, then off to Dubai next week for our official launch of Sound City with the God like Ian Brown.
Will tell you all about it in a couple of weeks time and might do some sort of photo/video exclusive if you’re lucky too, along with telling you more details our exclusive Virtual Festivals competition.
Happy hunting
David J Pichilingi
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
David J Pichilingi's Blog #3
By DavidJPichilingi on 15 September 2009With only 2 weeks to go before Ian Brown launches Dubai Sound City in grand style we have been busy putting the finishing touches to what will be an amazing line up for the main festival in November. There are still a few names to be announced but here more or less in full, exclusively for Virtual Festivals is the line up for Dubai Sound City.
The Human League, Happy Mondays, Echo and the Bunnymen, Doves, Super Furry Animals, The Courteeners, Futureheads, Ocean Colour Scene, Gabrielle Cilmi, The Wombats, Nitin Sawhney, The Farm, Aslan, Pete Murray, Alphabeat, Dirty Skirts, The Automatic, Kissy Sell Out, The Whip, Ladytron, The Outlandish, Parlotones, Dan Black, We Have Band, Sound of Guns, Bicycle Thieves, Post War Years and some very special names to be announced next few days.
On top of this we will be running late night secret parties and shindigs in some of the coolest venues in Dubai. These include the ultra hip Alpha and Chi as well as the stunning 360 which is set on its own pier in the middle of the Gulf Sea.
Sound City is as much about ‘doing the business’ as it is about the live music. As with Liverpool we will be bringing in some of the highest level execs and new thinkers and doers from all areas of the music business to debate, discuss and fight about the key issues that currently face the music industry. This will take place in the grand setting of The Emirates Towers Hotel.
Check out our website for the topics of discussion http://dubaisoundcity09.sched.org/.
As with Liverpool our aim is to look at the most pertinent issues of the day and try to stir things up as much as we can.
Tickets are now on sale through our website for both the conference and live music festival. http://www.dubaisoundcity.com/tickets.html
Log in next week and I will be giving details about how you can win ‘money can’t buy’ VIP passes. I will also be giving information about travel, hotel and festival deals so you can come and join in all the fun!
Til then
David J Pichilingi
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #2
By DavidJPichilingi on 08 September 2009In other news over at Sound City towers everything is beginning to hot up now with our plans for Dubai Sound City. Every day brings new problems. Six months ago we all got very excited and said ‘hey’ let’s take 40 bands to Dubai. It will be a blast’. Then reality kicked in. Booking a festival in the UK is a breeze to the problems that are unveiled when you attempt to do the same thing in Dubai. I need to emphasise that these problems are not with the officialdom but more to do with just the sheer scale of tiny problems that need to be dealt with on a day to basis. How many people are flying? What days and dates and from what airports? Managing egos and expectations relating to business class and premium economy seats, what day and what stage to put people on? Passport information, freight and excess baggage charges, hotel nightmares... The list goes on. Is it worth all worth it? Damn right it is!
Just about now we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everything is coming together and teams in Liverpool and Dubai are burning the midnight oil to deliver what will be the most amazing winter festival in the sun! Last week we announced our launch party with the legendary Ian Brown on 1st October. In a little under a week this has nearly sold out!
Now this week I am really excited to be giving an exclusive on the first batch of names to be playing Dubai Sound City on 5-7 November. Happy Mondays, The Courteeners, Human League, The Wombats, Echo and the Bunnymen, Doves and Super Furry Animals...
Shaun Ryder will be twisting his Dubai melons while Phil Oakey gives us some Love Action alongside McCulloch baiting The Killing Moon...
And this is just a taster!
Over 3 days and 3 nights we will be presenting over 40 bands on 10 stages in the most beautiful settings throughout Dubai. Nothing like this has ever been done. Over the coming days we will be announcing even more names to get you hot under the collar... stay tuned for more info about how to win VIP tickets and travel to join us for the best winter party of 2009.
Big love
David J Pichilingi
For more information relating to tickets and travel visit our website at:
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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David J Pichilingi's Blog #1
By DavidJPichilingi on 01 September 2009It seems so so long ago since the second coming of Liverpool Sound City. In May we welcomed over 30,000 beautiful people into our fair city and served up over 450 of the coolest, brightest, sharpest starlets from all over the world.
As ever we presented them before all the other festivals got their dirty mitts on them and once again cemented ourselves as the best boutique inner city festival in the UK. Not just our words, they are also echoed by my mum, dad, brother and other close members of my family. Highlights for 2009 included White Lies, Little Boots, Wave Machines, Mongrel, Casio Kids and We Have Band.
Well what have we been up to since May? While everyone else has either been turning pink on foreign beaches or wading through mud in farmers fields and eating £6 hot dogs we have been putting together the master-plan for the launch of Dubai Sound City.
On November the 5th, 6th and 7th we will be taking over 10 amazing venues in the heart of Dubai and presenting over 50 of the coolest bands and artists including a plethora of legends playing next to the very best in zeitgeist emerging talent. We are really, really excited about the whole thing. This is the first time anything like this has ever been done in the UAE region.
At the moment I am under strict orders not to let anyone know who we have playing. However I can only promise that when you hear some of the acts we are taking out there you are not going to believe it. In fact we booked them and we still can’t believe it ourselves!
Over the coming weeks I will be giving away exclusive information about all the action that is planned for Dubai Sound City so be sure to keep checking in to get information on artists and exclusive competitions including the chance to win tickets, flights and hotel to attend the festival.
Big Big Monkey man
To celebrate the launch of Dubai Sound City we are throwing a party on the 1st October at the amazing Madinat Arena in downtown Dubai. This party will feature a live performance of none other than the legendary Ian Brown. We are particularly chuffed at the coup we have pulled off as this will be his first outing before he hits the UK to promote his hotly anticipated brand spanking new album. What a way to start it all......! Stay tuned.
Ciao for now. x
David J Pichilingi
www.dubaisoundcity.com
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
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