LIVERPOOL is once again the centre of the music universe this week, as the city plays host to international music festival and conference Liverpool Sound City.

The event, which started on Wednesday, includes gigs by artists from Mancunian veterans The Fall to Mercury Music Prize winner Speech Debelle.

But while the event may be best-known for its live music, it also includes a conference programme that has attracted some of the biggest names in the music industry to debate the issues affecting the industry.

The keynote speaker is Seymour Stein, the US record industry legend who signed Madonna and Talking Heads – as well as Liverpool legends Echo & The Bunnymen.

He will speak at the Hilton in Liverpool One on Thursday, where he will be “in conversation” with Bunnymen lead singer Ian McCulloch.

The main conference will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Hilton.

Organisers say the event “is aimed at anyone currently working in the music business, featuring panel discussions on issues such as how to make more money from publishing, the current state of the live industry and how to tap into the opportunities offered by exporting into Europe”.

Wednesday’s debates include “The Great Rock’n’Roll Swindle – Are the halcyon days of publishing over?”, including speakers from NBC and video games giant Activision.