A string of Norwich bands are set to head to the home of The Beatles as their talents are showcased at an internationally renowned music festival.

Liverpool Sound City, a four-day music festival and conference to be held next week, will host a Norwich stage for the first time.

Bands lined up for the gig on Thursday, May 19 include indie favourites Bearsuit, Fever Fever, Hello Bear, The Barlights and We Can't Dance.

The showcase has been put together by Adrian Cooke, organiser of Norwich Sound and Vision, together with artist development programme Escalator Music and city-based independent label NROne Records.

Mr Cooke said: 'It's recognition of how strong the music scene is here in Norwich. Liverpool Sound City is an internationally recognised event and it will give Norwich bands the opportunity to play in front of some influential people.'

Other top names set to perform at Liverpool Sound City include headliners Sound Of Guns and Radiohead's Philip Selway. The event will see more than 400 acts from around the world play to 25,000 people across 30 of Liverpool's venues for four days. Lisa Horton, from Bearsuit, said: 'It's fantastic to get the opportunity to play at Liverpool Sound City – especially as the night is designed to showcase Norwich talent.

'We went over to SXSW in Texas with Fever Fever in March which is a similar kind of event, so this is a great follow-up. We're really looking forward to it and hope it will help put Norwich on the music map.'

It is not the first time Norwich bands have been showcased in other major cities. In 2007, a monthly 'Welcome to Norwich' night was set up in London. There are also plans to take Norwich's sounds to the South by Southwest in Texas, USA.

Are you holding an event to showcase talented performers? Call Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk