By Abbie Billington
It’s finally September, and jumpers and jackets are making their way out of the attic boxes and into our wardrobes once again. While the rest of the world starts to get into the autumnal spirit, if you’re still clinging to the last few rays of summer, then Liverpool’s music scene has got you covered. Whether you’re looking for jazz nights to savour those last few longer evenings, or you’re looking for some classical shows to cool off after the hot weather, we’ve put together 10 concerts in Liverpool and the city region that you need to check out this autumn.
1. The Music of Hans Zimmer vs John Williams – Liverpool Empire (21 September)
Hans Zimmer and John Williams’ film scores are renowned as some of the best in the world. Everyone remembers the first time they heard the intro to Harry Potter or the iconic Jurassic Park theme, and this autumn the Empire brings those scores to life on stage with Hans Zimmer vs John Williams!
Join the Manchester Concert Orchestra, conducted by Michael Bawtree, as they journey through space, Gotham City, the Caribbean, and everywhere in between! Goosebumps are a guarantee with this one…
2. Lunchtime Concert Series ft. Remée – The Tung Auditorium (24 September)
BlackFest have partnered with The Tung Auditorium as part of the Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series to bring you a fantastic concert featuring alternative artist Remée. With a sound that is “offbeat with a sprinkle of electronic and heavy bass”, Remée is a local singer/songwriter who has been writing her own songs from a young age, inviting audiences into her lyrical storytelling and captivating visuals.
The Tung’s Lunchtime Concert Series has been a staple of the Tung’s programme for quite a while, opening the concert hall for everyone to enjoy their concerts free of charge every Wednesday afternoon. This special edition in collaboration with BlackFest is surely not one to miss.
3. Helicon – Future Yard (25 September)
If you fancy something a bit more on the psychedelic side, then Helicon at Future Yard have got you covered. Helicon blend neo-psych-rock with sitars, electronica, ambient soundscapes and irresistible grooves, taking audiences back to psych-rock’s heyday in the 60s. Quoted as being “a force to be reckoned with” and showing that “musical borders are there to be broken”, Helicon are a staple within the psychedelic rock scene and are certainly one to watch now and in the future.
4. Rhythms Night @ District – District (25 September)
Bringing together iconic music artists like Third Kulture, KingFast, Mina and Rafaela, join BlackFest for their Rhythms Night @ District, celebrating their 7th year! This eclectic mix of artists spans generations, genres and styles to bring you a night of culture, heritage and fantastic rhythms. You’ll be moved by Mina’s confessional songwriting, inspired by KingFast’s energy and geniality, rocked by Third Kulture’s punchy celebrations of diversity, and soothed by Rafaela’s fusion of soul, reggae and jazz. With so much talent on show, there’s something for everyone!
5. La Feria Festival: Antonio Monasterio Ensamble – Music Room (2 October)
LUMA returns to the Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room this October with the third installment of La Feria Festival, celebrating both LUMA’s 50th anniversary and the Music Room’s 10th anniversary. Hailing from the port of Valparaíso, Chile, the Antonio Monasterio Ensamble is renowned for its bold, genre-defying approach to world music and jazz. Audiences will be treated to an evening of immersive soundscapes that blend intricate rhythms, expressive timbres and global music traditions. It is sure to be a celebration of cultural diversity and the growing connection between Valparaíso and Liverpool.
6. Secret Jazz Club – The Sound of Autumn – Everyman Theatre (10 October)
Who doesn’t love a bit of jazz to welcome in the start of a new season? The Everyman bring us an intimate Secret Jazz Club evening of live jazz and warm ambience this October in their basement bar, a fantastic venue that fully immerses you in the music. You don’t have to be a jazz aficionado to savour this unique night out, everyone is welcome and the Everyman is sure to provide an event that will leave you tapping your feet and craving more.
Be warned – The Secret Jazz Club is password-protected, so make sure you book your place to get into this exclusive event!
7. Xander and The Peace Pirates – Future Yard (10 October)
Xander and The Peace Pirates are finally back at Future Yard for a long-awaited full band show on the 10th October. Keith Xander and his band are nothing short of extraordinary, blending blues-rock, jaw-dropping musicianship, and deeply authentic performances. From the Cavern Club and sharing stages with the likes of Bon Jovi, Xander will bring this blues extravaganza to Future Yard, sharing his journey of inspiration and passion and blowing your socks off with a performance that will stick with you for months.
8. Flute J.A. Jayant and Debasmita Bhattacharya – Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room (17 October)
As part of this year’s Indika Festival, this concert brings together four exceptional musicians in a unique combination of instruments – the Carnatic bamboo flute, Hindustani sarod, tabla, and mridangam. Celebrating the best of Indian classical music, the Music Room will play host to Flute J.A. Jayanth, Debasmita Bhattacharya, Kousic Sen and Bangalore Prakash as they engage in an immersive, rhythmically rich concert.
9. The Australian Pink Floyd – Liverpool Empire (26 October)
The Australian Pink Floyd have been touring the globe since 1988, and this year they bring their show to Liverpool at the Empire Theatre. They are the leading and biggest show in the tribute scene, described by The Times Newspaper as “The Gold Standard”, and have gained such renown that they were even invited to perform at David Gilmour’s 50th birthday celebration! Join the Australian Pink Floyd show as they celebrate their 30th anniversary with their new tour ‘All That Love’, featuring classics from Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and many more.
10. Mobius Loop – Future Yard (9 November)
Mobius Loop bring their “Peaceful World Tour” to Future Yard this November, filling the space with their mesmerising festival vibrations to celebrate their brand new single. The trio, celebrated as “Preston’s most successful band”, create gloriously eccentric folk stories, fusing world music and conscious rap with eruptions of free-form dance charged with an intimately powerful and intense energetic live performance. If you want to dance the night away with some epic beats and vibrant voices, woven together in a call for a peaceful world then Future Yard is the place to be!
To discover even more live music across the Liverpool city region check out our What’s On Listings.