Capital of Culture Update: Favours and back scratching

The appearance of Sirenz on a list of bands to play Liverpool's prestigious-ish Mathew Street Festival turns out to be down less to their skillz as their contactz. Having the son of Liverpool City Council's Head of Sports proved to be the key, as detailed in a series of amusing emails leaked to Liverpool Subculture. (Part two and Part three.) When even a battle of the bands can't be run without favours being called in and strings being pulled, what hope is there?