Thurston Moore and John Cale to speak at Liverpool Sound City

The Velvet Underground's John Cale and Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore have been confirmed as the keynote speakers for the seventh annual Liverpool Sound City (1-3 May), it was announced this week. Cale is the co-founder of The Velvet Underground, with a career in music stretching back to the early 1960s. After his departure from the band, Cale released a slew of solo albums, and collaborated with musicians such as Patti Smith, Squeeze, The Stooges and The Happy Mondays. Moore meanwhile came to prominence with Sonic Youth, credited as one of the most influential bands of the 80s and 90s, before going on to build a solo career, and recently forming the band Chelsea Light Moving. 

David Pichilingi, CEO of Sound City, commented: “We promised a step change this year and we have delivered. John and Thurston are two of the biggest global names in music – not just for the records they’ve made but the artists they have inspired and the subcultures they’ve inspired. For decades right up to the present day being into the Velvets or Sonic Youth isn’t just a decision to buy a record – it’s a lifestyle choice. These guys literally changed the world, what people listen to, what they think, how they dress."

This year's festival and conference is expected to attract 45,000 music fans, with performances from up-and-coming and established bands, and panels on a diverse range of topics, including the importance of the tech and entertainment business, the ‘pornification’ of pop culture, the rebirth of vinyl, the death of music subcultures (or "just old bastards moaning," as the Sound City site puts it!), the importance and business of style in British pop culture, the rise of the blogger, and more. Another keynote speaker will be Rick Parry, head of the FA Premier League, who will discuss what the music industry can learn from the international football business. Passes for the event are on sale now.