Festival time: Liverpool Sound City and Live at Leeds

There’s a heck of a lot going on this May Bank Holiday in Manchester: Sounds From The Other City takes over the pubs, bars and churches of Salford; the Northern Quarter Takeover will see Thomas, Edge, Tib and High Streets filled to the brim with street party lovers; and that weekend also signal the last days of Manchester dance emporium Sankeys. If all this is giving you a sensory overload and a bout of indecision you may just want to escape the rainy city for pastures new for the weekend. Two cities connected by a canal have a whole lot more in common as Live At Leeds is hosted in the Yorkshire metropolis over the Bank Holiday Weekend, while at the same time Liverpool hosts its annual Sound City over in Merseyside.

Liverpool Sound City
Welcoming over 360 artists to over 25 venues across the city centre, Liverpool Sound City offers three days of music, film and conferencing. This year sees a large contingent of Manchester bands heading down the M62 – including Everything Everything, Dutch Uncles, Egyptian Hip Hop, Delphic and Pins (pictured). What sets Sound City apart from other metropolitan festivals is the conference that takes place across the weekend, with speakers from the music industry who have done and seen it all, offering a real insight into what it’s like to in the business. The event presents brilliantly organised, eclectic collection of artists adjoining Liverpool’s bright musical future to its illustrious past.

Thu 2 – Sat 4 May, various venues across Liverpool, 1, 2 and 3-Day wristbands available for £30/£45/£55 respectively, www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

Live At Leeds
Now in its seventh year, Leeds’ May music festival celebrates the best in local bands alongside more established national acts. Friday features an Unconference, with its unique take on the music industry seminar, followed by separate ticketed gigs at three venues across Leeds: the Brudenell Social Club, The Cockpit and The Wardrobe. Saturday is the main event with over 100 bands playing all over the city – including sets from Darwin Deez, The Walkmen, The Pigeon Detectives and AlunaGeorge all for £22.50. Sunday, meanwhile, sees The Vaccines play Millenium Square with support from TOY (separate tickets required from here). Finally, Monday pays homage to Leeds’ love of football when a 5-a-side tournament takes place at Goals on Kirkstall Road. This sees a host of bands battling it out to be crowned football champions. The big question is: will previous winners The Pigeon Detectives be able to defend their crown?

Fri 3 – Mon 6 May, various venues across Leeds, Sat wristbands £22.50, www.liveatleeds.com