LIMF 2018 - 13 ones to watch at Liverpool's Sefton Park

LUNA at Deep Cuts

With LIMF 2018 just around the corner Getintothis’ Lauren Wise and David Hall have the top 13 must-see acts to catch at Sefton Park.

The Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) is returning once again this year to the city, bringing with it some under the radar artists you’re yet to discover alongside the big names that draw in the crowds.

The two-day festival returns to Sefton Park on 21-22 July this year, with headliners Hacienda Classical, Example and DJ Wire.

While the location and time of year remains the same, there’s one key change that will take place at this year’s event, which has divided LIMF’s faithful attendees. LIMF 2018 will be ticketed for the first time in the six years it has run, with prices beginning at £5 in advance and £15 for VIP while under 12s will be admitted for free.

Compared to the open layout that has taken place since it’s beginnings on Mathew Street, 2018 will see added security and fencing, a decision taken by the organisers to ensure the safety of the future of the event.

The theme of this year’s event is Co-exist and Connection, which LIMF curator Yaw Owusu believes is reflected in the line up.

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Owusu says: “The line-up showcases Liverpool’s bold contemporary musical voice and attitude. Our theme is Co-exist and Connection so it was essential the festival represented a diverse music offer which mixes classic and new sounds plus established and emerging names – which is an honest reflection of what’s happening within music culture, not just locally, but on a global scale.”

Some of those emerging names representing the Merseyside collective include; Zuzu, who’s been rippling across the country since her debut single What You Want – earning herself a spot supporting Peace on their UK tour earlier this year, Queen Zee, the punk four piece declaring trans power, and SPINN, the jangly pop dreamers signed to Liverpool-based label Modern Sky UK.

The stages we’ll see return to the festival include Central Stage, True School Club House Stage and the itsliverpool Next Gen Stage, as well as The Shubz DJ Tent.

It may have changed shape from its Mathew Street days, with 120,000 people now attending each year, but the principal of LIMF remains fundamentally the same – to bring new international music to the most musically renowned city in the UK, if not the world. Without further ado, here are our top 13 picks for LIMF 2018.

Mary Miller

Mary Miller: Central Stage, Sunday July 22

Coolly sinister and prophetic, Mary Miller should without doubt make your own list of must-sees at Sefton Park. Her debut single, I Found Heaven, is its own electronic dystopia layered with Miller’s soothing, yet eerie, vocals. Her gothic sound will be the perfect antidote to any sunburn you’re struggling with and are the reason she’s set apart from any line up, as there’s no sound quite like it. Head over to Central Stage on Sunday to catch her set.

The Vryll Society

The Vryll Society: itsLiverpool Stage, Saturday July 21

The Vryll Society have become kaleidoscopic Mersey treasures in their own right, garnering a following that has seen them tour the festival circuit over the last few years.

Their latest release, Light At The Edge Of The World, sticks to their psychedelic roots but is notably different from their other tracks, with an easier catchiness that borders on pop than their other singles have had.

If you can’t wait to see them tour their upcoming album at O2 Academy in October, make sure you pay peanuts to catch them at this year’s LIMF.

LUNA at Deep Cuts

LUNA

Our first visit to the LIMF Academy 2018, LUNA has been selected as one of three ‘most ready’ artists to take on a national profile soon. Academy applications are available to any Liverpool artists under 25, and inductees receive access to 12 months’ artist development. Plus of course a spot on the LIMF stage. We can’t wait to see LUNA, who just dropped her hard-hitting new electro track Fire recently. She comes complete with some eastern-sounding influences, which should ring out across Sefton Park satisfyingly.

Young Fathers

Young Fathers: Central Stage, Sunday July 22

Edinburgh-based three piece Young Fathers have just released their third album Cocoa Sugar. The critically-acclaimed album saw the trio teaming up with London indie label Ninja Tune and assaulting the Top 40. You may have heard singles such as Toy and In My View lifted from Cocoa Sugar, which have both received national radio coverage.

In the meantime between albums, Young Fathers have contributed to Danny Boyle’s T2 Trainspotting soundtrack, and have played Liverpool Sound City 2016. They’re no strangers to the city, so don’t be strangers to their electronic agit-soul.

Pale Rider

Pale Rider: itsLiverpool Stage, Sunday July 22

One of the most talked-about breakout acts in Liverpool at the moment, Pale Rider are four noisemakers with the tunes back up their dissonance.

Lately they have supported the likes of Pinkshinyultrablast and Phobophobes in city centre gigs. But most recently, they appeared on a stacked lineup at Middlewich’s FAB Festival, supporting Peter Hook and sharing a bill with the likes of Deja Vega and The Mysterines.

Pretty impressive for a band with barely a single to their name, and definitely no EPs and albums. Seeing them live is the only way to hear most of their fierce tracks, which we suggest you do.

MC Nelson

Nelson: itsLiverpool Stage, Saturday July 21

A familiar name to some, as Getintothis have given Nelson a stage at the GIT Award 2016 launch party. Eager gig beavers may also have seen him around town, supporting the likes of Nightmares On Wax and a flourishing Loyle Carner.

If Nelson can achieve some of the levels of success acts like those have, he won’t go far wrong. He has years of performing and producing experience under his belt, so you’ll be seeing a slick MC at the height of his powers at LIMF.

MC Nelson is the sound of Liverpool rap at the moment. So alongside Beyond Average, if you’re aiming to get into the local side of hip-hop, he’s your man in Sefton Park.

Riton

Riton: The Shubz DJ Tent, Sunday July 22

Newcastle house DJ Riton is our next pick, and should bring the tunes to get the crowd moving. They surely will at LIMF, when Riton appears on the Shubz DJ Tent stage just ahead of Tim Westwood on Sunday. You can also catch him down south this summer, at Boardmasters Festival in August.

Henry “Riton” Smithson’s latest track Deeper was released late last year, an electro soul influenced banger. A collaboration between himself, House Gospel Choir and singer, songwriter and producer MNEK (who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa and Diplo), it’s sure to be dropped at the weekend.

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Deep Cuts #16 – Raheem Alameen

Raheem Alameen: itsLiverpool Stage

The second of our LIMF Academy “most ready” inductees, Raheem Alameen is a talented Liverpool-based singer songwriter. He’s just 21 years old, and is currently in the lab putting the finishing touches to his debut EP, which should be released soon.

You might have seen Alameen on our Deep Cuts #15 bill back in April, when he showed himself to be a promising young songwriter. He seems like he’s going from strength to strength, and now with the backing of the LIMF Academy, this could be the start of something special. Get in on the ground floor with Raheem Alameen on the ItsLiverpool Next Gen Stage.

Remee

Remée: Central Stage, Sunday July 22

It’s been a summer of festivals for RnB singer-songwriter Remée. She follows up a Sefton Park appearance on Africa Oyé’s main stage with a LIMF performance. Again, she’ll hit the main stage, so get there early on Sunday to catch her set.

We’ve been enamoured with Remée from the start, and she doubled down on her Oyé appearance with a city centre after party. If you’re a fan of soulful RnB, and you like what you heard from the acoustic loveliness of latest single Gunshot Love, you’ll be a Remée fan soon.

Red Rum Club

Red Rum Club: it’sLiverpool Stage, Saturday July 21

Things are on the up for Red Rum Club, make no mistake about that. Right now, they’ve just been signed by Liverpool-based label Modern Sky UK, home to the likes of Slow Readers Club, Catholic Action, PIXEY and fellow LIMF lineup residents SPINN and Beyond Average.

In the not too distant future, Red Rum Club have a huge O2 Academy date lined up in September, supported by Jackobins, Life At The Arcade and Columbia. Directly in between, they’ll be on the ItsLiverpool Next Gen Stage at LIMF on Saturday.

If trumpet-infused rock ‘n’ roll is your bag, be there. If you’re not sure whether or not that is your thing, there’s no time like LIMF to find out.

KingFast

KingFast: itsLiverpool Stage, Sunday July 22

Winner of the Merseyrail Soundstation Competition in 2017, KingFast aka Paul Walker, is an artist well worth putting some of your cider-drinking time aside for at LIMF. His EP One Day is a great live watch, especially when you see his artful use of loop pedals come into play.

While his performance is both catchy and upbeat there’s also a soulful air to his vocals that will be sure to have you swaying along on what we can only hope to be a bright, sunny day.

Gazelle

Gazelle: Central Stage, Sunday July 22

Singer/songwriter Gazelle is hotly tipped to have big things coming, and with the release of her latest single, Stay For The Night, it’s easy to see why. She’s created a soulful pop track that’s easy to listen to with a beer in hand but that also conjures up a lot of emotion – mainly thanks to her impassioned vocal performance. Having played Getintothis’ Deep Cuts at the end of last year, we’ve seen for ourselves the treat that is her live performance, and suggest you do the same if you’re heading to this year’s LIMF.

Trudy & The Romance

Trudy and the Romance: itsLiverpool Stage, Saturday July 21

Last but not least is the unique-sounding band that is Trudy and the Romance. They’re perfect for lovers of 50s music who want to see it reimagined in the 21st century – not interfered with but updated to allow it a new lease of life. Having played Invisible Wind Factory at last year’s Liverpool Music Week, they’re clearly keen for another Liverpool crowd, and if you’re wise you’ll head down and catch them perform singles Twist It, Shake It. Rock & Roll, All My Love and Baby I’m Blue.