Liverpool Digital Music Festival – Rise
Vicky Andrews
Liverpool Digital Music Festival has announced the ten shortlisted artists and bands who will perform at this weekend’s online showcase of the region’s best young talent.
Rise takes place on 27 and 28 February 2021 and offers a platform for young artists aged 18 to 24 to get their music out to new audiences and develop their professional skills and practice.
Artists performing at the festival on Saturday are Amelia Wallace, Joshua Kane-Rice, Meg Shaw, Aligners and SHARDS. A four-piece band from Liverpool, SHARDS previously played at the M&S Bank Arena stage for LDM Festival 2020. The group has gained support from airplay on BBC 6 Music as well as support slots with the likes of Black Honey, The Peach Fuzz and Tim Burgess.

Sunday’s line-up features Gallia, Sweet Beans, Max Richardson, The Letrasets and Natalie and the Monarchy. Inspired by the likes of riot grrrl and dark cabaret, Natalie and the Monarchy are a Liverpool-based grunge act that combine twisted pop melodies with theatrical finesse. Ripping up the rulebook of rock, imagine a power trio of Auf der Maur, Florence Welch and Regina Spektor, with a splattering of Hedwig & the Angry Inch.
A celebration of the Merseyside music scene, Liverpool Digital Music Festival brings a fresh perspective to live music during lockdown. In August 2020, LDM Festival launched a successful live streamed music festival from venues across the city, including the M&S Bank Arena, Phase One and EBGBS.
Through a partnership with Merseyside Arts Foundation, artists selected for performance at Rise also benefit from a small financial investment in their creative and professional development to the value of £150. This financial support has been made possible with the support of The National Lottery Community Fund.
You can see the full schedule and watch for free at www.ldmfestival.co.uk