Town supporters Joe Bailey and Marcus Neal of Out Loud Music/The Smokehouse are curating Sound City Ipswich, a new one-day multi-venue music festival and industry conference on Friday 4th October.
The festival, which is being organised with the support of Liverpool Sound City and with funding from Arts Council England and Ipswich Borough Council, takes place at four walkable locations in Ipswich, The Smokehouse, the Manor Ballroom and the Corn Exchange with an outdoor stage on the Cornhill.
During the daytime there will be a music industry conference at Ipswich Film Theatre featuring panel discussions and in-conversation sessions.
TWTDer and Cobbold Stand regular Joe told TWTD: "We’re really proud to be bringing a music festival of this type to Ipswich. Sound City Ipswich has the potential to put the town on the map regarding up and coming touring bands from across the country.
"We’re excited to have Mercury Prize-nominated artists and bands who are on the verge of becoming huge nestled in with some of the best talent from our region.”
He added: "On the TWTD Forum there is always a really healthy discussion and sharing of music and we’re sure that many of Town fans will be interested in the event.
"I have seen bands mentioned on recent threads which we have booked and tried to book, it’s great to see the passion for music.”
Tickets for the event are priced at just £15 and are available from www.soundcityipswich.co.uk The acts confirmed so far include:
Mercury Prize 2018 nominee Novelist is a grime MC and producer from Lewisham, South East London. He was a founding member of The Square crew and was nominated for Best Grime Act at the 2014 MOBO Awards.
From East London but with roots in East Suffolk, Snapped Ankles bring primal motorik rhythms and post-punk angles played out on homemade log synths and electrified guitars. The band’s live show is one not to be missed.
W.H. Lung from Manchester are one of the most engaging live acts operating in the UK. Their debut album Incidental Music features shimmering synth pop and the infectious grooves of 70s Berlin with vocals weaving between tender delivery and forceful eruptions.
As a composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, bandleader and DJ, Emma-Jean Thackray is just as at home working with the London Symphony Orchestra as she is hosting her show on Worldwide FM or tearing it up on trumpet with her quartet.
For local gig-goers, Manningtree-based eight-piece Dingus Khan need little to no introduction. Endorsed by Mary-Anne Hobbs and Steve Lamacq, the band are an exciting and unpredictable live proposition with onstage chaos underpinned by an uncanny ear for melody.
Gaffa Tape Sandy from Bury St Edmunds have over the last couple of years produced a seemingly endless succession of instantly memorable garage-punk tunes. The three-piece have multiple Glastonbury appearances under their belt and have recently signed to Alcopop! Records.
Ipswich skate-punk legends and John Peel favourites The Stupids injected a heavy dose of colour, fun and energy into the often harsh black and white world of 1980s UK hardcore. Still touring the world, the band are ready to tear up Sound City Ipswich.
South London three-piece Happyness have released two critically acclaimed albums of lo-fi indie pop with vulnerable vocals and charmingly laid-back guitar riffs reminiscent of Grandaddy or Yo La Tengo.
Manchester four-piece Diving Station are definitely ones to watch, their unique harp-driven dream pop having earned them slots at Glastonbury, Dot to Dot Festival and plays on BBC 6 Music.
In total, there will be 18 acts across the three venues, all within approximately 15 minutes’ walk.
In addition, there will be a further five acts on the BBC Introducing stage on the Cornhill, curated by Richard Haugh and Angelle Joseph from BBC Radio Suffolk. Showcasing up and coming local talent, the stage will host Conner Nunn, El-Emcee, Eloise, Ghosts Of Men and Swimsuit Competition.