MUSIC festival and convention Liverpool Sound City is being expanded to include a conference for digital firms.

As well as its music business conference and line-up of gigs, next May’s event will include Sound City Labs, a programme focusing on the digital sector.

Sound City has also announced its first conference speakers for next year.

Simon Raymonde, founder of record label Bella Union and former member of Cocteau Twins, will discuss the state of the music industry with Eric Pulido, guitarist with the band Midlake.

Next year’s Sound City Labs will expand on an event held at this May’s festival, which saw five digital firms pitch to a panel of industry experts.

Festival organiser Dave Pichilingi said he wanted Sound City to be a showcase for innovative hi-tech companies.

He said: “Other conferences can have a bit of a Luddite focus, becoming agents’ conferences or record label conferences, but interactive and digital are the growth areas in this sector.”

Simon Raymonde and Eric Pulido will discuss “the working mechanics and dynamics of band and label and all the ensuing trials and tribulations that can ensue”.

Mr Raymonde joined Cocteau Twins in 1981 as bassist and played on albums including Heaven or Las Vegas.

In 1997 – the year Cocteau Twins split up – he formed Bella Union.

The label’s early successes included releases from Dirty Three and Lift to Experience.