Liverpool International Music Festival welcomes Rustie, Forest Swords and more

This year's Liverpool International Music Festival (15-31 Aug) features its most ambitious music programe yet, featuring big names and cutting edge cult favourites over its two week run, with stages throughout the city celebrating Liverpool's glorious musical legacy, and looking towards its future.

Announced today, the lineup includes Glasgow's LuckyMe / Warp signed, world-class beatsmith Rustie, jungle and drum and bass originator Goldie, and Tri-Angle producer and Kanye West collaborator Evian Christ – they play the festival's centrepiece, the LIMF Summer Jam, alongside northwestern icons like Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds (collaborating with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra), The Farm and various others. The Summer Jam takes place at Sefton Park from 22-25 August.

Another event, part of the LIMF Commissions series, Minor Characters takes place on 29 August, and will feature a concert from six artists chosen by music manager Chris Bye and music site The Quietus – the culmination of a project which will see all six bands release a collaborative album via The Quietus' record label, it will feature GIT Award winner Forest Swords and early Quietus signing East India Youth, alongside Luke Abbott, English Heretic, The Lone Taxidermist, and Ten Mouth Electron. 

"The LIMF Commissions are all about us creating and showcasing original music works and performances that have never been seen anywhere in the world before," says LIMF Music Curator Yaw Owusu. "I'm really excited about this element and overwhelmed with the calibre of musicians and artistic directors involved so far."

Other prospective highlights feature Liverpool's Sense of Sound Choir, collaborating with beatboxer Shlomo on 28 and 29 August; veteran producer Steve Levine directing a collaboration featuring Boy George, Tim Burgess and Pete Wylie on 21 August; and the return of the LIMF Academy, which aims to inspire a new generation of performers with a two day programme of music and dance workshops, a mobile recording studio, live lounge area, and live performances, as part of the LIMF Summer Jam, from 23-25 August. There will also be a very special Boiler Room party at the city's Circus venue, with a lineup still to be announced. 

For more information, head over to the LIMF site to check out the full programme – most events are free, some are ticketed.