The return of Liverpool Independent Art School's much loved life drawing events, will be offering more of what you love in a new venue. We nurture a relaxed, supportive, playful approach to drawing. With brilliant models and tuition offered for any level of experience. Some basic materials are available but we advise the use of your own hard backed sketchbook and whatever you enjoy drawing with to get the most out of the session. Rough Trade Liverpool is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets and chairs and stools available. Presented by Liverpool Indie Art School. This is an 18+ event

High fidelity stand-up comedy. After almost a decade of shifting vinyl in an independent record shop, Alastair brings you a show about the stark reality of living your dreams. A show that waxes lyrical about crate digging, needle dropping and arguing with children about Fred Durst. After a sensational run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Alastair Clark is hitting the road and bringing his standup comedy show about working in an independent record shop to independent record shops across the country. Rough Trade 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)

CQ Wrestling are a British Grunge band led by two best friends and songwriters Charlie Woods and Jake Mac, delivering a fierce and melodic 90's sound.

Grace Elizabeth Harvey is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and cellist from Merseyside. Musing on faith in a faithless world, her debut EP showcases the Merseyside based songstress in her whimsigothic world of intricate guitar and sweet melodies.

Conor McLain is an Irish Singer-songwriter whose powerful and polished sound is combined with deep, raw lyrics that evoke emotion and inspire reflection. A perfect blend between Pop and Acoustic Folk. Presented by Conor McLain. This is an 14+ event

Jalen N'gonda is one of the most captivating performers on today’s soul scene. His voice, equal parts raw feeling and elegance, exudes confidence and charm. Most recently, Jalen thrilled audiences and garnered rave reviews with his powerful solo performance in support of Thee Sacred Souls’ US tour. Now with a pair of widely revered singles under his belt at his new home, Daptone Records, Jalen prepares for the release of his debut LP, Come Around and Love Me. 

Dead Dads Club are a 4-piece rock band from Malvern, UK. Drawing influences from the sensibilities and melodies of 60s guitar bands through to the high energy anthems of the 90s, their sound has often been compared to bands such as The Stone Roses, Oasis and The Doors. Dead Dads Club explode onto the stage fusing together a driving rythmn section topped with addictive melodies and harmonies, creating a wall of sound drowning in attitude.

Sophisticated alternative pop doctor Kelley Stoltz comes back to one of his favourite haunts, Liverpool.

Brown Horse make twangy and thoughtful indie rock, delicately arranged, but unafraid of building a yowling wall of guitars, accordion, banjo and pedal steel. Distorted, teary-eyed and country-tinged, this is music for long lonely drives and late, late nights in strange places.

Fresh Finds Presents - Cerebellum - Pocket - Double Nines - Cargazer High-energy Funk. Known for their 4ght, groovy performances, Cerebellum are a 6 piece instrumental band carving their way in the North-West music scene. Influenced by 70s Funk and Japanese Jazz Fusion, Cerebellum’s sound has been described as “The future of fusion music”. Their performances are perpetually groovy, some4mes emo4onal but always a good 4me. The Double Nines are a high-energy Indie Rock band with a global edge, featuring members from the USA, South America, Europe, and Asia-all converging in Liverpool, UK. Their sound fuses poetic lyricism, theatrical performances, and electrifying melodies, delivering synth-driven soundscapes like The 1975 with the anthemic hooks of The Killers and The Smiths. Featured on BBC Introducing Live at the legendary Cavern Club, played Mainstage in LoopFest 2025 as well as Liverpool Noise and Bolton FM’s “Foster the Music,” the band has been making waves in the indie scene. We are Cargazer! We are a 4 piece Alternative Rock / Pop band from Liverpool. Sonically we are in the twilight region between The 1975 and Deftones. We make softcore Indie Pop tunes as well as Loud catchy Alt bangers. We are a vehicle for reminiscence for our audience as we like to talk about being Younge and stupid, partying and falling in love. 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)

Rough Trade Liverpool is very excited to present a live performance and signing from mary in the junkyard. This unique event celebrates the release of their anticipated debut album Role Model Hermit released via AMF Records. Tickets for this event also include a physical copy of the fantastic new album on your format of choice to be collected from Rough Trade Liverpool on the day of the show. Presented by Rough Trade. All ages

Rough Trade Liverpool is very excited to present an in-store live performance and signing from Split Dogs. This unique event celebrates the release of their new album 'Nice N' Rough' released via Venn Records. Tickets for this event also include a physical copy of the fantastic new album on your format of choice to be collected from Rough Trade Liverpool on the day of the show. Presented by Rough Trade. All ages

Rough Trade Liverpool is very excited to present an in-store performance and signing from Marmozets. This unique event celebrates the release of their new album 'CO.WAR.DICE.' released via Nettwerk. Tickets for this event also include a physical copy of the fantastic new album on your format of choice to be collected from Rough Trade Liverpool on the day of the show. Presented by Rough Trade. All ages

Static Dissent Presents - Death for Life - Headliner: Cryptworm Supports: Ceremonial Bloodbath, Coffin Mulch, Wolfbastard, Gorgon Vomit, Trenchfoot, Smouldering Tomb Static Dissent 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)

Mari Mari makes infectious hyper pop music for the eyeliner emo kids with a sugary pop addiction.

Americana 25 celebrates 25 years of the Liverpool-based Americana UK website with an event featuring some of the best names in americana from both the UK and the USA. The line-up includes an exclusive UK performance from Chuck Prophet and the Echo Strings, legendary singer, musician and songwriter Steve Wynn, Newcastle-based bluegrass band The Often Herd, Edinburgh's Dean Owens who recently recorded a much praised album with Calexico, and Utah’s Drew Danburry who makes his way over to the UK for the first time in over a decade, plus some of the best homegrown americana from classic names the site has featured over the years including Danny George Wilson, Peter Bruntnell, Our Man in the Field, Smalltown Jones, Elaine Palmer, My Girl the River and Ella Spencer, and Liverpool’s own Barry Jones.

Dead Pioneers emerged as a dynamic extension of Gregg Deal’s performance art, seamlessly blending music with critical social commentary. The bands sound acts as a powerful platform for addressing the complexities of Indigenous experience. Harnessing the raw energy of punk to challenging prevailing narratives and evoking emotion, they engage the audience in a visceral dialogue about survival, resilience and reclamation of voice. Petrol Girls are a glorious staple of the post-hardcore scene. Their playful, fast-paced and chaotic punk is a political blast of rage that is as important as it is fun, as demonstrated on their excellent 2022 full-length, ‘Baby’. It’s damn good to have them back! Don’t miss this summer co-headline from two of the very best to do it. Input promoter here 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)

No Play Festival returns for 2026... 38 artists, 5 stages, 1 day.

The line-up consists of some of Merseyside’s most talented young musicians, hailing from renowned LIPA Sixth Form College. This will be this set of students’ final performances as members of the college, and your last chance to see them take the stage together. LSFC has an extensive repertoire of past students that have played this very show, prior to launching some of the most successful musical careers among Northern England’s youth today. Just a handful of these include bands like The Mysterines, STONE and Crawlers. Rough Trade has seen its fair share of other famed artists, with the likes of Jake Bugg, Lambrini Girlz and Black Country, New Road taking to this very stage. Join us for two nights of unforgettable performances and soak up the atmosphere and electricity of tomorrow’s music industry. LIPA 6th Form 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)

The gang is back at Rough Trade, Liverpool for WITCH, PLEASE: Goth + Alt Fair Showcasing 20+ artists and makers both local and visiting selling tricks or treats from art & zines, homeware, apparel & jewellery, to taxidermy, curios & much more! Goth + Alt Fair Ghoul Gang All Ages

Expect to make 2-5 charms, which can be worn as a necklace, earrings or used as small ornaments. Each piece will be fired in a Kiln twice to over 1000 degrees. Collect your handmade charms from Lark Lane Pottery 3-4 weeks later. Presented by Charm Club. This is an 14+ event

After releasing their long feted sophomore album, 30 years after their Sony backed debut, All Men Are Fools via 9x9 Records, 16 Tambourines will play a very rare Liverpool headliner . Fellow 80s golden age favourites join in support to create a show tailor made for Liverpool music historian that will appeal to fans of jangly pop alike.

Promenade Cinema are a UK darkwave/electropop duo whose cinematic synthpop is built on lush, layered electronics, commanding vocals, and hooks that refuse to leave your head. Their sound moves between brooding synthwave and euphoric electro-pop with sweeping melodic intensity. Third album Afterlife (2025) is their most ambitious work yet, and their live reputation - forged at NCN Festival (DE), Infest (UK), Resistanz (UK), ElectriXmas (SE), and upcoming performance at the Out Of Line Weekender 2026 (DE) - speaks for itself. Dark, danceable, and dripping with melody. The Brides of the Black Room are a Swedish collective who've built something far beyond a band. Drawing on members connected to hundreds of acts across Sweden's music scene - from cyberpunk to doom metal - they channel their output through an elaborate mythology of witchcraft and ritual vengeance, structuring albums as "seasons" and songs as "episodes" in an unfolding narrative. The music is a wall of unforgiving synths and seismic bass, equal parts spectacle and incantation. Second album Commander (2025) continues the saga. Prepare accordingly. John King Promotion 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)

Indie punk singer.

There’s a difficult to describe, yet timeless quality to certain songs that transcends genre or era. It’s something that you can’t fake or contrive and it’s what lies at the core of Skating Polly’s music. Admittedly the female-driven alternative acts that inspired the band such as Veruca Salt, X, The Breeders, L7 and Babes In Toyland (the later of whom Skating Polly toured with in Europe) aren’t typical reference points for most of today’s up-and-coming bands, but maybe they should be.

Rough Trade Liverpool is very excited to present a pre-release listening party to celebrate ‘Blue Morpho’ the latest album from Ed O'Brien, released via Transgressive.

Fresh Finds saving you from beige playlists and dull evenings Swamp blues two-piece DEAD RAZE are taking over Rough Trade with support from Idyllic, The Latrielles & Going Coastal. A night made for getting amongst it Fancy discovering something new? Come on down on 30th May. Dead Raze Loud, direct, and impossible to ignore. Dead Raze have been steadily building a reputation for high-octane, adrenaline-soaked sets. Slide guitar, pounding drums, and a touch of humour - they fuse punk urgency with the soul of the blues. Idyllic Indie pop meets 60s psychedelia and lands somewhere you can’t stop replaying. Idyllic write songs that stick, backed by a live show that’s earned them serious attention across the UK alt scene. This is your chance to catch them up close before they take off The Latrielles Fresh off their run at Liverpool Sounz - Battle of the Bands, The Latrielles return with their synth-tinged indie rock sound. Think punchy guitars layered with 80s-inspired melodies and plenty of drive. Definitely ones to keep an eye on. Going Coastal Meet Going Coastal - five people, five different music tastes, and the result is somewhere between indie and math rock. Chaos, but in the best way. Fresh Finds 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)

Rough Trade Liverpool is very excited to present an in conversation and signing from Andy Carroll, Jayne Casey, Graeme Park, Matthew Collin. This unique event celebrates the release of Matthew Collin's new book 'Altered State: The Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House (Deep Cuts)' released via White Rabbit. Tickets for this event also include a physical copy of the fantastic new book to be collected from Rough Trade Liverpool on the day of the show. Presented by Rough Trade. All ages

Content warning - discussion of domestic and ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage and misogyny Savera UK, in partnership with Liverpool Arab Arts Festival welcomes internationally recognised percussionist, Simona Abdallah, to Liverpool for an afternoon of thought-provoking conversation intertwined with Simona’s powerful performances on the darbuka, a hand-played traditional percussion instrument. Simona is one of the first female percussionists of Arab heritage to achieve international recognition on the darbuka - an instrument traditionally dominated by men. Our discussion will explore the patriarchal constraints that Simona faced in embracing the darbuka, her personal story in which her family attempted to force her into an array of marriages, and how she overcame those challenges to find freedom and success through her art. The conversation will be hosted by Sara Suliman, a UK-based Sudanese filmmaker, Chevening scholar, researcher, producer, director and a member of the LAAF board of directors. The event will feature a welcome from Savera UK CEO & Founder, Afrah Qassim, conversation, live acoustic performances and a Q&A session. Savera UK is a Merseyside-based national charity working to end ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and other harmful practices, including forced marriage, spiritual abuse and conversion ‘therapy’. It provides lifesaving and life-changing services for survivors and those at risk, regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or gender. It also provides help and advice for professionals, training and education and research. Laaf

Join Liverpool Arab Arts Festival and Savera UK for a night of exhilarating rhythms and mixes from three powerful female musicians of Arab heritage: internationally renowned percussionist Simona Abdallah; Palestinian music producer, filmmaker and DJ, Hiba Salameh, and Jordanian sound artist, creative producer and DJ, Yasmeen Soudani (DJ MUSYS). Celebrating her virtuosity on the darbuka, an instrument traditionally dominated by men, Simona will bring her rhythmic energy to Rough Trade in a powerful solo set, before showcasing her unparalleled improvisational skills performing with DJ Hiba Salameh and DJ MUSYS. Named by Mixmag as 'one of the Palestinian DJs you need to know', DJ Hiba Salameh’s electrifying sets navigate through the wide universe of electronic music blending the huge heritage of Arabic music with its counterparts from the planet’s southern hemisphere. DJ MUSYS plays experimental electronica shaped by futurist Arab themes. Her practice explores migration, land and collective identity through sound, drawing on archaeology, sonic cultures and imagined futures.

Formed in 2023 and emerging from Manchester’s rich musical underground, The Falls are fast becoming one of the UK’s most talked about indie rock bands. At only 18 years old, the band are already making their mark across the country and their debut EP Viva La Falls has already surpassed 100,000 streams and is still growing. With sharp guitar riffs, lyrics older than their years and a string of hits, this young band are turning heads and filling rooms with a sound that’s both nostalgic, refreshingly new and impossible to ignore. With the impending release of their new EP ‘Would You Do It All Over Again’ the Falls are touring the UK and EU to share their new music and gather more fans along the way. Sharing the bill with the likes of The Lottery Winners, Rolla, M60, the Kairos, Arkayla as well as Spangled, Trampolene and more AND securing a record contract, this is a band quickly on the rise. From one song to the next The Falls are crafting mature, infectious songs that stick in your head long after the encore. See them now while you can before they hit the big arenas!

Rough Trade Liverpool is very excited to present a solo acoustic performance and signing from Personal Trainer. This unique event celebrates the release of their new album 'Human Assholes' released via Bella Union Tickets for this event include a physical copy of the fantastic new album on your format of choice to be collected from Rough Trade Liverpool on the day of the show. Presented by Rough Trade. All ages

PSM, The Drop Jonnies, Berena, Danny's Always Late take on Rough Trade for a farewell to uni show. Come down for a great night of music spanning a wide range of genres and influences, and a chance to see these four share the same stage for (possibly) the last time ever!

Immersion are Malka Spigel and Colin Newman best known for their work with Minimal Compact and Wire. The project emerged in the early 1990s and has always prided itself on a diversity in approach and an ability to be both self-contained and a vehicle for collaboration. recent work has seen Immersion collaborating with the likes of Tarwater, Laetitia Sadier, Ulrich Schnauss, Scanner, Thor Harris, Cubzoa in their ongoing Nanocluster series of events and albums. The couple also have a weekly music radio show called Swimming In Sound and play in the band Githead, alongside Robin Rimbaud (Scanner) & Max Franken.