Outspoken singer-songwriter, actor and activist, KATE NASH is confirmed to play a full set and offer a conference Q&A weeks after telling British MPs “I sell pictures of my bum” to fund touring!
Bringing two-decades of songs and tirelessly promoting the rights of artists, KATE NASH is announced for Sound City 2026, the UK’s inner-city festival of new music discovery and the first event of Liverpool Music Month, taking place throughout Liverpool City Centre between Sat 2 – Sun 3 May 2026. Heading a newly revealed list of over 30 bands and artists, Nash arrives on Merseyside to perform and speak in a special in-person Q&A at the Sound City+ Conference.
Hit- maker and headline-grabber, Nash adds her name to the list of female artists featured as part of the lead festival for Keychange, the global movement focused on the restructuring of the music industry to achieve gender equality. Nash’s notable contributions to the fight for improved access to the arts and grassroots music and marginalised artists has included her Butts For Tour Buses protest and releasing her “feminist and trans ally anthem” GERM in 2025.
We are thrilled to have Kate join us at Sound City, as one of the UK’s era-defining artists as well as someone who leads from the front on issues of gender equality, diversity and making careers in music sustainable, addressing injustice at every stage of her incredible career. Being discovered at the start of a digitised music era, signing a major label deal, enjoying chart success, pursuing a successful acting career in ‘Glow’ and continuing to write, record and perform, she is an inspiration.
Her set at Sound City will be unmissable for the songs and to witness an iconic British, female artist at the height of her powers – Becky Ayres, Sound City’s Managing Director
Opening the weekend on Fri 1 May 2026, the Sound City+ conference welcomes Nash to the stage to explore her journey through music and more. She is the second artist to be revealed as a contributing guest, with singer, songwriter and guitarist of No.1 charting indie success story, JAMIE BOYLE of The K’s, who appears at a special, weekend-opening BPI x Bowers & Wilkins Insight Sessions event on Thu 30 April 2026 to discuss his band’s fan powered rise to headline success story.
SOUND CITY’s latest festival weekend announcement brings no fewer than 35 further bands and solo artists to multiple city-centre venues. This includes neo-soul rising star MARINA JOSEPHINA, visiting as one of BBC INTRODUCING’S “Ones to Watch 2025,” and Chicago indie five-piece CUSP, whose previous tours of the UK include performing in the company of DMA’S. Their latest album, What I Want Doesn’t Want Me Back, has been grabbing rave critical reviews. Glasgow’s MERCY GIRL take a distinct route to music lovers’ hearts with their electronic darkwave offer, as demonstrated on their most recent single, “Closer.” They arrive to play over the May Bank Holiday Weekend as the reigning SCOTTISH ALTERNATIVE MUSIC AWARDS’ Best Newcomers.
Liverpool’s own COURTING return home after a long year of touring following the release of their third album, Lust for Life, Or: How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story, in March 2025. Recently touring with legendary Wakefield punks THE CRIBS, the four-piece, renowned for breakthrough tracks including “Tennis” and “Popshop!” head home for the first time since playing BBC RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND in Sefton Park last spring.
Other star names confirmed include local light MICHAEL ALDAG, whose 2023 breakthrough “Girlfriends” confirmed him as a social media-borne phenomenon. Following two years of growth, he has become a singular songwriting presence, releasing relatable pop gems including 2025’s emotive single, “Hell.” CHARLIE NOORDEWEIR joins ALDAG on the SOUND CITY bill, having emerged from Devon with intimate, fireside folk tales such as “Little Miss Sunshine,” grabbing enough early attention to open for SAM FENDER at his 30,000-capacity Manchester show last summer.
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