By Patrick Maloney
Photo Credit: Alisha Lawton.
From indie, to rap, to soul, Sunday’s lineup of the 19th edition of Liverpool’s Sound City was looking promising. On 3rd May, excited faces took to the iconic streets raring to go for another packed day of musical talent, and it was clear from the word ‘go’ that it would be special.
A trip downstairs in the Jacaranda led me to Dolder. Their musical arrangement comprised a keyboard, guitar and two vocalists and it was goosebump-inducing, especially during Girl from the Internet. The Newcastle twins, Dani and Zara, came together with harmonious, expressive and high-ranging vocals that left a lasting impression on the packed crowd.
A quick walk down the road led me once again to The Tunnel to see Cherryholt. This was my third time seeing the Lincolnshire band in action and they just get better every time. The five-piece now features their pianist, Dan, on acoustic guitar to add an extra layer to their live sound, as they played some new material that sounded particularly impressive. Tunes like The Bullet and Irresistable as per usual led to a sea of phones up in the air to record their talent. As for their first ever Sound City, they’ve certainly earned an invitation back.
Next up, I went to the lovely Kazimier Stockroom to see Alex Amor. I had the pleasure of chatting to Alex before her set. She described her music as a “cosmic americana”, and I can vouch for that. Alex graced the stage in an angelic white dress with purple, tranquillic lighting. This 30 minutes of music was a beautiful experience and was a serious reminder of the beauty of Sound City. The Glaswegian sensation also explained that it was the first time she was performing with her full band. The set had utmost intimacy and the connection between the four musicians on stage was very evident. The intimate setting and beauty of Kazimier really suited Alex and was up there with the best moment of the weekend.
Headlining the Arts Club Theatre was Wigan’s own The Lilacs. I had the honour of speaking to them before their set too, and they described their sound as “anthemic”, which was very apparent to hear during songs like Grace and Vicarage Road. Their roots mean a lot to them, and you can really sense that in their performance. They were an excellent closer to the exceptional weekend in the Arts Club.
Finally, it was time for Sunday’s big one, Jalen Ngonda. The only word I can think of is wow. Just wow. I was absolutely blown away by this man.
The American entered Liverpool and changed the lives of a packed out Grand Central Hall forever, from an opening of Rapture to the closer If You Don’t Want My Love, Jalen Ngonda had the crowd in the palm of his hand. One of my favourite parts of this performance was Jalen’s showcase of instrumentation. Primarily, he played a soulful electric guitar, however, for Come Around and Love Me, the singer swapped out the strings for keys and delivered an exceptional piano performance which really sold his talent to the audience.
Another fantastic addition to the set was his cover of Tell It Like It Is, originally performed by Aaron Neville. The guitar solo was just breathtaking and once again proved that headline space was incredibly just. Finally, the bass and drums really expanded the soul artist’s sound. The richness of the instrumentation was a real spectacle and did not go unnoticed.
Jalen Ngonda put the cherry on top of an unbelievable weekend and seriously stuck the landing for Sound City 2026. I was blown away by the quality on display today, from artists originating from Liverpool itself like XL Poncho, to artists from Australia like Teenage Joans sharing the stage and putting on a show. What an experience from start to finish.
And unfortunately that was the end: a lifetime of memories made, phone storage worn down, and hours worth of music added to playlists. Sunday was a catalyst in making the 19th edition of Sound City one for the history books, and I for one cannot wait for next year.
Photography Copyright 2026 © Alisha Lawton/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Text Copyright 2026 © Patrick Maloney/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Grace Elizabeth 
Kyle Horne