Soundcity is a concrete Jungle of absolute madness and sheer disarray for a first timer  and there are certain things you're gonna wanna know before you venture into it,  with these trusty top tips, (i've had experience for 3 years now) you're gonna be able to walk around town with your head held high and your feet racing in a mad rush.



1) Two things first : PHOTO ID & CONFIRMATION EMAIL - You NEED this when getting your tickets, and also, go on the right day to get them, or it will be a trip wasted, you'll get angry, the staff will get grumpy and the people behind you in the queue will be calling you for all sorts. You'll be robbing yourself of a boss weekend and have no one but yourself to blame.

2) Check the Schedule, I know I sound boring, but really if you go on their website they have this nifty schedule which tells you where, when and who clashes with who, it's like leeds clash finder but it's already done for you by the festival website, so no worries of being told absolute jarg. You have your eye on the bands you want to see, you remember them, there are helpful SoundCity volunteers around though to help you through your woes of finding all the right venues, so fear not, just remember the times. There's so many clashes for me, I am sobbing.

3)  The John Peel World Cup - take a break from the action and mosey on down to chavasse park, or chav arse park as I like to call it, to watch the bands vs venues battle it out for the John Peel Cup, to be crowned the real Champions of SoundCity in the city of football champions. (Girls, it's a good chance to get a close up of fella's turning into footy stars as well, flex those calves lids!!)

4) If there's a certain band you really want to see, get there early so you're not disappointed, yes you have a wristband, but a venue can only hold so many people! Don't end up being the ones who had to walk away with nothing left to say, because you were the one who missed out on Cast cos you figured you'd be sound cos you're a scouser, we were all trying to get in!! (I'd say it'll be similar for the JFT96 Tour Exhibition.)

5) Do go see Screenadelica and the arts section - yes it's a music festival, but it has so much more too offer,  visual arts, exhibitions, interactive exhibitions and performances. Great for when that ringing in your ear starts, which it will, I promise you.

6) If you suddenly become hank marivn starvin', drop off at some of the venues which serve scran, that way, you're not missing out on the festival, could even find your new fave band and you're getting your money's worth out the wristband, also you just have to try these Diggy Dogs from The Attic, just get in me belly raaanow.

Look at them!!! (photo from their Twitter @AtticLiverpool)

7) Do go and check out Liverpool Uni's Radio Station LSRadio, who do fantastic coverage of the festival,  updating you with live sessions, interviews and reviews of the goings throughout the festival, on their twitter, tumblr, fb and website! You'll probably catch them street teaming round Wolstenholme Sq area, do have a chat, they're lovely lads and ladies.


8) Go with the flow - You have your pass, you're getting beved you're enjoying the music, you have no schedule, so what? Just go with it, go where the music takes you and have an absolute ball, no worries of staying in a washed out tent, groggy toilets and there's always shelter from the rain - who am I kiddin' it's gonna be crackin' the flags. Get on your dancing' shoes you sexy little swines.

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