As winter approaches, there’s plenty of live music in Liverpool and across the city region to discover. From Bill Ryder-Jones performing alongside the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and a solo show from The Stranglers’ Hugh Cornwell to Luma Creations’ Sounds of Latin America & Africa and acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, there’s a packed programme of outstanding gigs to look forward to.
Whether you’re into indie, rock, jazz, world music or experimental sounds, Liverpool’s live music scene has something for everyone this winter.
Beat the winter blues and discover some fantastic live performances with our selection of must-see gigs in Liverpool and the wider city region this November and December.
Big Number Celebrate MTV Unplugged – Shakespeare North Playhouse (6 November)
A night of live music Celebrating MTV Unplugged performances, featuring some of the most iconic artists of the 1990s. The 1990s were a pivotal time in music. As glam rock faded and grunge rose to prominence, the decade also saw the launch of MTV Unplugged.
MTV Unplugged was a series of live acoustic sessions that would go on to influence a new generation of musicians and produce some of the most memorable performances by some of the world’s most revered artists.
Mike Joyce & Stephen Street: The Queen Is Dead 40th Anniversary – Tung Auditorium (8 November)
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Smiths’ The Queen Is Dead with an evening at The Tung Auditorium dedicated to one of the most acclaimed and influential albums of all time.
Voted NME’s Greatest Album of All Time and consistently ranked among the finest records ever made, The Smiths’ 1986 masterpiece The Queen is Dead continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.
Sounds of Latin America & Africa – Luma Creations at Future Yard (12 November)
Get ready for an unforgettable night of vibrant rhythms, infectious grooves and soulful melodies as ALIFEX Band joins GRUPO LUMA for a powerful musical journey across the Sounds of Latin America and Africa.
Bringing together the rich sounds, traditions and musical influences of two vibrant continents, this special event celebrates cultural diversity, unity and the universal language of music. Expect high-energy performances, irresistible rhythms and an atmosphere full of life, connection and celebration.
North West Duke Ellington Orchestra – Capstone Theatre (13 November)
The North West Duke Ellington Orchestra does what it says on the tin – plays the fantastic music written and arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Directed by Phil Shotton, the 15 piece big band celebrates the music of Duke Ellington playing music from all eras of Ellington’s output, from his Cotton Club days to the swinging suites.
With band members from all over the North West (Cheshire, Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside) brought together by the challenge and excitement of playing Duke Ellington’s most brilliant music, this will be a night to remember.
Bill Ryder Jones & Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – Liverpool Philharmonic (15 November)
Upon leaving The Coral in 2008, few would have expected the direction Ryder-Jones took for his debut solo album, If… Written as a soundtrack to Italo Calvino’s novel If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller, the album is almost entirely instrumental, full of cinematic-style soundscapes and beautifully ornate melodies.
15 years to the day, and four albums since its release, Bill Ryder Jones and Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra celebrate this special anniversary, performing the album in full in all its glory for the first (and very possibly only) time. Before that, there’ll also be new work from Bill, and old favourites too, including tracks from 2024’s critically acclaimed Iechyd Da.
Hugh Cornwell – The Atkinson (18 November)
An intimate evening of songs and stories with The Stranglers’ vocalist Hugh Cornwell, plus an open Q&A session. As lead singer and songwriter of The Stranglers during their golden period, Hugh Cornwell cast a spell mixing fact, history, mythology and ideology within the lyrics of the songs.
The Stranglers’ music was a heady mix, leading to the band’s success throughout the world, and they became championed for experimentation and commerciality in equal measures.
AnotherVU: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground + Nico – Future Yard (28 November)
AnotherVU bring their incredible multimedia tribute to The Velvet Underground + Nico – and their iconic shows with Andy Warhol – to Future Yard on Saturday 28th November 2026.
This project had long been an ambition for all of the band’s members, but when multi-instrumentalist Cam Forrester began producing Velvets–related content on YouTube in 2021 and subsequently built a strong following, real demand for a live show was evident, given the scarcity of footage of the original band.
Eleanor McEvoy – Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room (28 November)
Renowned Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy returns to the UK in November 2026 with It’s Good to Be Here – a warm, witty and uplifting concert celebrating the simple joy of being alive. Eleanor plays the renowned Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room as part of her tour this autumn.
Best known for her world-renowned hit A Woman’s Heart, the title track to the biggest-selling Irish album of all time, McEvoy’s live performances are celebrated for their intimacy, storytelling and musicianship.
Spatial Sound Performances: Signal Dreaming – FACT (3 December)
This Spatial Sound Performances event by PEARL is a new sound art and performance event series. PEARL brings together experimental composers and artists from Liverpool and beyond through live events, gatherings and workshops.
Artists performing at Signal Dreaming will be Grey Streak, the recording project of Liverpool artist Seb Westwood, electroacoustic composer and sound artist Wendy Smith and Liverpool-based artist coby o·bi.
Looking for more live music in Liverpool and across the city region? Explore our What’s On listings to discover upcoming gigs, concerts, performances and more.