5 November 2026 – Liverpool's So Long Good Friday Festival Announces Maruja, Gurriers and mary in the junkyard for 2027

Liverpool independent-music festival So Long, Good Friday has announced the first performers for its 2027 edition, introducing an ambitious programme of emerging British and Irish alternative acts. The event will return to the city's Baltic Triangle following its inaugural edition in 2026.

Announced headliners include Manchester experimental-rock group Maruja, Dublin post-punk band Gurriers, London alternative trio mary in the junkyard, Birmingham duo GANS, Tooth and SOFY. Additional performers include Cardiff indie-rock group Casual Smart, Manchester alternative band Shaking Hand and Brighton slowcore project Glasshouse Red Spider Mite. The festival will take place across several neighbouring venues, including Hangar 34, District, 24 Kitchen Street, Lost Art and Camp & Furnace.

Organisers have emphasised the importance of presenting both established emerging performers and musicians at the beginning of their careers. That approach provides audiences with opportunities to discover unfamiliar acts while attending concerts by groups already attracting international attention. The announcement follows a successful first edition that encouraged organisers to expand their ambitions for 2027.

So Long, Good Friday demonstrates the continuing importance of independent urban festivals within Britain's alternative-music ecosystem. Smaller multi-venue events can offer developing musicians valuable exposure without requiring the enormous production budgets associated with major outdoor festivals. Apparently the most effective way to explore Liverpool's independent music scene involves comfortable shoes, several venue changes and accepting that somebody will inevitably recommend an excellent band whose name you have never heard before. Discover UK post-punk acts in our post-punk section and keep up with live announcements in our music news.