LIVERPOOL'S status as a global music brand took yet another step forward with the inaugural Dubai Sound City festival this weekend.

Organised and staffed by Liverpool companies, the festival flew in more than 100 bands to the United Arab Emirate, including Happy Mondays, The Farm, The Wombats and The Human League, plus 40 expert speakers, on more than 1,000 flights and taking up 5,000 hotel bed nights.

But it wasn't without its hiccups – headliners Echo and the Bunnymen had to cancel at the last minute after singer Ian McCulloch was taken ill before his flight.

“Unfortunately Ian was not fit to fly,” explained festival organiser Dave Pichilingi. “There were a few disappointed fans, and running times changed slightly, but we brought in Liverpool band Sound of Guns to do a set further up the bill and Super Furry Animals stepped up to headline the Saturday night. I was disappointed, I'd loved to have seen the Bunnymen play at the festival, but it was unavoidable.”

The Happy Mondays' famous dancer and percussionist Bez was unable to join the band because of problems with his flight, and De La Soul also had to cancel.

“It has gone amazingly well, there were always going to be a few teething troubles, but I'd say 90% has gone fantastically well,” said Mr Pichilingi. “The feedback we've had from the conferences has been phenomenal. Sponsors and speakers have said they’re all coming to Liverpool Sound City next year.

“I feel really proud that in a year of recession we have been able to do something that has never been done in this part of the world before and get there relatively unscathed.