Southport Rocks Lineup

Now here is a band that needs no introduction! Having celebrated their 10th anniversary last year as well as the release of their fourth studio album, The Futureheads are heading across the Pennines to set Southport Rocks on fire with their dynamic live set and punchy post-punk sound. The Futureheads inject familiar styles from the likes of Fugazi, Devo, XTC and The Buzzcocks. With clever technical formations, they achieve the perfect balance of mess and order within their music that keeps things fun and interesting. Definitely not to be missed!

A comedy folk band from St Helens, this bunch of flat capped Lancashire lads play satirical songs about Lancashire and The British culture. Their first single, 'He's Turned Emo', became a big hit on Myspace and was featured on BBC Radio One by Colin Murray. They had a hit with their debut album, 'Never Mind The Hotpots', which reached number number two in the BBC 6 Music Album Charts. The Lancashire Hotpots hilariously tell us why emos are ridiculous and why you just can't beat a chippy tea on a Friday evening.

Freedom Of The City are an Indie Pop/Rock outfit hailing from Manchester. The Band, who have become known simply as FOTC after their first "whirlwind" year together, provide you with a Modern, Catchy, Melodic, Heartfelt array of Anthemic tracks. These songs are quickly proving to not only be catching the eye of many people in the UK, but across Europe and even reaching Australia.

Freedom Of The City started out in November 2009 but it was not until June 2010 that we were presented with the final line up of George, Simon, Paul and Matej. The band broke quickly onto the Manchester Music Scene headlining the world famous 'Night & Day Café' in their first gig together. Since then they have headlined both Academy 3 & Club Academy in Manchester, supported signed bands on UK tours including ex-Razorlight Andy Burrows' band 'I Am Arrows'. They won the Regional Final of MTV's Maldives Breakout Festival & closed the show at the National Final at the O2 Academy Islington. With promoters now hot on their heels Freedom Of The City will be showcasing their sound up and down the UK and promoting their debut album which is due for release in the Summer of 2011. Freedom Of The City have recently penned a contract with 'Bite Music Management' who spotted their "massive potential" early on. Production of the album has already begun at The Chairworks, the North's newest, largest and finest recording complex. This studio was most recently used by UK Hip-Hop superstars 'N-Dubz'.

Freedom Of The City are a powerful band when performing live. They have been described as "mesmerising" & "mind blowing" to watch by the City's most renowned and well respected reviewers MCR MUSIC. After the band invited them to a show at Manchester's Moho Live they said "They can play, they can seriously play. The whole thing grooves along with precise, intelligent whip-hip intensity with the frenetic crowd down the front loving every minute".

Their debut EP released in the summer of 2010 was greeted with rave reviews stating "It's accomplished and driven by profound bouncing beats" & "Gigantic songs with searching choruses – a superb finish from one of the city's most promising and least pretentious bands".

A fantastic indie-rock ska band from Manchester. Since playing support slots with The Enemy and The Specials and gaining regular airplay from Radio One's Chris Moyles, this band has gone from strength to strength. Kid British have been described as 'Blur or The Specials crossed with Outcast and De La Soul'. They have a prevailing take on 2 tone and a stylish approach to how urban music styles should be combined.

From another seaside resort, Bognor Regis, here is a post-punk revival band echoing a more refined Sex Pistols sound and perhaps a racier Libertines. TOG played as main support act to Bruce Foxton's 'From The Jam' at the ROX Festival with their whole set broadcast live on Spirit FM. The band was also a key act to this year's Leicester Oxjam. These lads carry a heavy sound full of energy. Definitely a band to watch out for at Southport Rocks this summer.

Kings of Lyon play the perfect KOL show. They have an astounding live set incorporating all of the fans' favourites from 'Youth and young Manhood' to KOL's latest chart success, 'Come Around Sundown'. 2010 has seen the band rise from a fine tribute with a hugely well respected emerging reputation to become the most sought after tribute of the year; stunningly faithful in every aspect from an inseparable appearance to their gut wrenching, soaring stadium sound.

This young, energy-driven quartet is a straight-up indie-rock band from Llandudno. They've received rave reviews since forming and have been championed by Steve Lamacq on BBC6 music. Their blistering live shows have earned them support slots with acts such as Reverend and the Makers and Twisted Wheel. These lads are not afraid to use their guitars properly, a must-see band for 2011.

This six-piece talent from Southport hold the perfect sound for a classic summer fest. After being crowned Xfm's Official England Band during the World Cup, the only way for Sour Mash is up. They mix the perfect combination of funk and soul blended with a little Madchester sound to achieve something just that little bit different. Lie back and soak up the sun whilst listening to the Sour Mash experience that is quality funk and soul.

Huw Stephens played single 'Map To The Freezer' exhaustively on his Radio 1 shows over the summer. He then invited the band to play the BBC Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds 2010, before booking them for Swn Festival. Huw has since named Stagecoach as one of his BBC Introducing acts of the year.

Stagecoach's latest single "Not Even Giles Would Say We'll be OK" (produced by James Kenosha of Pulled Apart By Horses and Dinosaur Pile-Up fame) was released in December as a split 7" with indie heroes Johnny Foreigner, and sold out soon after both bands hit the road together for their mammoth tie-in UK tour. Next up for Stagecoach is a Radio One session at Maida Vale in February 2011.

Oxford has long had a reputation for producing some of the countries finest, and with the debut EP 'The Gambler' from rapidly emerging darling's of the local scene Ute– it is a reputation set to be enhanced. Ethereal at times, terrifying at others – this is a Viking feast of a sound which fuses a whole host of glorious influences and delivers a must-listen, and listen again. Lush harmonious vocals traverse shuddering bass riffs, whilst unnerving guitar riffs loop over - the pace shifting from delicate tenderness to storm-rumbling swiftness…

It's no wonder that Huw Stephens, Bethan Elfyn, Tom Robinson have all pledged their allegiance over the last 6 months… And that BBC Oxford felt it necessary to run an hour-long programme dedicated solely to the 3-piece.

'I saw the eccentric, noise mongerers play at the Old Blue Last a while back and they put on a captivating show..... They shine a dark light on folk that I really, really like.'Abby Tayleure | NME. The Gambler can be heard here.

The Wild Eyes are rock and roll weirdos. Drawn to Liverpool from North Wales and the Penines, the trio have been wowing the city over the past twelve months with their mélange of garage rock, psychedelia and twisted rock n' roll. Performances alongside Darwin Deez, The Zutons, The Lucid Dream and Jeniferver have seen the music press drawing comparisons with the primal groove of the Stones and The Stooges as well as modern day sonic adventurers such as My Bloody Valentine and early Verve.

Their recorded output thus far has consisted of dreamy, drone laden pop, where sweet melodies and reverb drenched guitars meet insistent electronic rhythms head on. Spring 2011 will see the release of 7" single 'I Look Good On You', a slice of crazed 21st century garage rock displaying the more raucous side of their personality.

With their song 'Electric Love' having already been hailed by NME.com as "one of the five tracks you must listen" Sly Digs rock n roll demi-gods in making. The video for the track, which airs regularly on Sky channels LAVA and NME TV, has recently won them an army of new fans and the Stones and Beatles loving boys are planning to bring their hook-laden blend of old school and nu-school rock 'n' roll to various towns and cities across Europe in support of the release.

Not ones to shy away from a bit of hard graft, Slydigs have supported the likes of Pete Doherty, the New York Dolls, the Fall and Idlewild in the past and this May they turn their attentions to Ireland for an up-coming headlining tour of the Emerald Isle before flying over to Edinburgh for a main slot at the Big H festival on June 11. After that, they then spend the month of September touring Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France in a bid to ensnare even more fans with their swaggering rock anthems.

Having formed in late 2008, the trio, which includes members from various other Liverpool bands of past and present, have wowed audiences with their direct and affecting approach to performance. No one member has a set role – they play whatever is needed, and whatever is at hand to create songs of ethereal lo-fi beauty.

Tasking themselves with creating something a little more stripped back after stints in bigger, louder groups, Dead Cities maintain their intensity through heartfelt lyrics and well crafted songs. Everything is beautifully understated, creating a sense of space and atmosphere.

Dulcet Aurel razorblades, cool like an axe. Categorise them at your peril. At first glance it may appear Thief Technique are another indie hipster troupe like the many others flailing in the British music drizzle. However, this band has power and poise. Like J Mascis holding hands with Joy Division and the Mary Chain. It's awkward, uncomfortable and loud.

Featuring former members of The Paddingtons and The Daisy Riots amongst their number, Thief Technique are serious proposition. Let battle commence.

Formed in 2006 from a jamming session, The Antarctic Monkeys took a big chance that lead to them becoming a phenomenon in their own right, travelling the UK, playing venues armed only with one album of material. That success has continued and now armed with a set list of almost 30 songs, the demand for the Antarctic Monkeys is ever growing with tours booked up nationwide and Europe.

Cheap Cuts are a power pop trio whose songs combine the distinctly nostalgic sound of 1960s soul with short, witty kitchen sink sagas set in modern, broken, bankrupt Britain. The band was formed in 2008 when Gareth Roberts (vocals, guitar) and Joseph Forshaw (bass, vocals) recruited local "face" Joe Bennett to play the drums.

You can purchase their latest EP "Misery Guts" on iTunes Worldwide, as well as the rest of their back catalogue.

GlassHeads are a guitar based four piece who hail from Wigan, Lancashire and draw upon diverse influences ranging from Sex Pistols to dub reggae and hip hop to flamenco guitar! Inaugural signing to Microdot Recordings, established by designer Brian Cannon - renown for his artwork for Oasis and The Verve, their debut single 'Error Of Your Ways' was released on the 24th January 2011.

Since the release of the single worldwide interest has spiralled. Radio stations globally have declared themselves onboard with plays to date by amongst others the BBC Introducing and stations as far a field as the US and Canada. The stunning promo video to 'Error' has been featured heavily by the NME on their website and was shot by ace Liverpool lens man Dom Foster, currently working with The Sand Band and The Suzukis. The band continue to perform killer live shows to enthusiastic crowds nationwide and are currently preparing for their second single.

From out of the swirling mists step the timeless Owls*, a quartet of musicians who make the kind of music that the hairs on the back of your neck were made for. Taking inspiration from the shadowy recesses of the mind, and knitting together feelings with a deft yet menacing thread, Owls* have created a sound that is utterly compelling.

The Secret Police is the Worlds longest running and most respected Police tribute band. Since their debut in August 1996 the band has appeared at hundreds of venues throughout the UK, across Europe and the Middle East. The band plays all the greatest hits of The Police like no other - with incredible power and intensity – whether performing to festival audiences of thousands or to crowds at smaller more intimate venues. The band has a set of glowing testimonials from all over the World - the authenticity of the sound is beyond question and the performance goes way beyond just sounding like The Police.

Formed in late 2010 from the ashes of other bands, Manchester's Berlin Berlin combine synths and guitars to make euphoric electro-pop with big choruses. Having spent the last few months writing and recording they are ready once again to hit the stage and will be releasing their first single in the Summer.

The All Weller band has established itself as one of the most respected Paul Weller tribute bands on the scene. The group, which has been together for four years, covers some of Paul Weller's best known hits from The Jam and Style Council up to his modern day solo material, including Town Called Malice, Shout to the Top and Peacock Suit. The band has toured all around the UK and are a crowd pleaser wherever they play.

Psychic-robot is a funky alternative reggae band, based in southport, north west of england, we have all been in different bands over the years and are all top musicians. Its about having a good time gigging recording and making people sing and dance for us. Yer we all had dreams of making it big but we got over that and now we just get on with it. So if you like what you hear and want to book us to play at your place, or would like us to support your band at gigs, get in touch by contacting psychic-robot@hotmail.com.