This week’s Culture Radar guest is Hannah Ballard, Creative Director of Sole Rebel CIC.
Loved: I visited River of Light with my family — we all loved it! I’m always inspired by free public art that brings people together, and this was such a beautiful combination of light, sound, and creativity.
I also have to mention a lunchtime gig I caught at The Tung Auditorium — Rachel Jean Harris and her band were incredible. She’s such a talented songwriter and musician, and it was a truly beautiful performanc
Looking forward to: I have to give a shout-out to our own upcoming event — the Sole Rebel Soirée this Friday 7th November at The Black-E! It’s going to be a joyful evening of rhythm and connection, featuring our four-piece live jazz band, some of the UK’s best tap dancers, special guests, and delicious food from Bay Tree Catering. I’m so excited to share all the hard work our company has put in this year — it’s a real celebration of creativity, community, and joy through rhythm.
Trivia: I’ve been researching William Henry Lane — known as Master Juba — often described as “the most influential dancer of the nineteenth century” and regarded as the originator of tap dance. Remarkably, he performed several times in Liverpool in the 1800s, including his final appearances before sadly passing away from Cholera at the Brownhill Workhouse, where the Metropolitan Cathedral now stands. For us as tap dancers, that deep historic connection between Master Juba and Liverpool is truly incredible.
Bluecoat Liverpool is the city’s oldest building and one of its most impressive creative hubs. Sitting right in the heart of the city centre, this Grade I listed arts space blends history, creativity, and community — offering exhibitions, performances, workshops, and a peaceful hidden garden that’s open all year round.
They’re also home to several independent retailers and creative businesses, including Bluecoat Display Centre, who specialise in unique, hand-crafted work by independent artists.
Bluecoat’s History
1850 lithograph by Thomas Picken, Recollections of the Blue-Coat Hospital, Liverpool, St George’s Day, 1843, after a painting by Henry Travis. Image courtesy of Bluecoat
Bluecoat’s striking building is the oldest in Liverpool city centre. Built over 300 years ago as a charity school for poor children, it has been an arts centre for the past century, continually evolving while retaining its historic charm.
A beautiful example of Queen Anne architecture (though built during George I’s reign), its distinctive features include Liverpool’s earliest Liver Birds, a one-handed clock, cherubs’ heads above the windows, and elegant oval windows overlooking the cobbled courtyard.
In 1907, the Sandon Studios Society — a group of pioneering young artists — moved into the disused school, securing the building’s future. They established the UK’s first arts centre in 1927, under the custodianship of Bluecoat Society of Arts creating spaces for exhibitions, performances and studios. Over the years, Bluecoat welcomed cultural greats including Stravinsky, George Bernard Shaw and dancers from the Ballets Russes.
During the Liverpool Blitz in 1941, the building suffered severe bomb damage, losing its South Wing and grand concert hall. Restored in the 1950s, Bluecoat continued to thrive, and by 2008 a new contemporary arts wing and landscaped garden were unveiled — reopening just in time for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.
Events and Exhibitions
Sumuyya Khader, Always Black Never Blue, installation at The Bluecoat.Image Courtesy of the artist. Photo Credit Harry Meadley
Bluecoat is a space where creativity and community come together. The team works closely with artists over many years, nurturing their practice and helping them to develop their careers.
Over the decades, Bluecoat has showcased acclaimed artists including Sumuyya Khader, sculptors Henry Moore and Marion Coutts, and the legendary musician and artist Captain Beefheart. Artist Emily Motto was the first recipient of Bluecoat’s Studio Bursary, developed in partnership with New Contemporaries, offering a year-long residency with a free studio, mentorship and tailored support.
The venue has also hosted some unforgettable live performances, from Rhys Chatham and Sun Ra’s Cosmic Love Arkestra to poet Levi Tafari and Liverpool experimental collective a.P.A.t.T.
Projects
Performer Lewis Scott during Elvis in Blue Performance. Credit Brian Roberts
Over the years, Bluecoat has delivered a wide range of inspiring and socially engaged projects. Blue Room Moves is their inclusive dance initiative, supporting learning-disabled and neurodivergent adults to explore movement, performance and self-expression.
Echoes and Origins delved into Bluecoat’s mercantile and maritime history, working with young people to examine Liverpool’s colonial legacies, while Where The Arts Belong brought creative experiences into specialist dementia care villages across the North West — a truly ground-breaking project in arts and wellbeing.
Since 2009, Bluecoat has also celebrated the life and work of Wirral-born author Malcolm Lowry, creator of the modernist classic Under the Volcano, through exhibitions, performances, commissions, and community events.
You can also explore a range of inspiring Digital Projects online, offering fresh ways to engage with Bluecoat’s creative work wherever you are.
Workshops
From artist talks and creative sessions to the popular Baby Book Club led by artist Roger Hill, Bluecoat’s workshops offer something for every age and interest.
Previous sessions have included family screen printing, filmmaking for creatives, and Birds, Bugs & Botanicals of the Bluecoat: A Nature Spotter Challenge, where artists explored the rich biodiversity of Bluecoat’s city-centre garden — a true hidden oasis.
Bluecoat also collaborates with local and national arts organisations, hosting workshops with dot-art, DaDa, and the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, creating opportunities for people to learn, connect and be inspired.
Bluecoat Garden
Credit: Bluecoat
Tucked away behind Bluecoat’s historic façade lies a leafy, enclosed quadrangle that has evolved many times over the past three centuries. It has served as everything from a forecourt opening onto College Lane and a school playground to a herb garden and, in the early 20th century, an open-air venue for the lively parties of the Sandon Studios Society — the artistic community at the heart of Bluecoat’s story.
During one of these gatherings, the group even built a makeshift pond. Later, during the Second World War, the space housed air raid shelters and later became a working yard for the sculptors based in the surrounding studios.
The garden’s modern incarnation began when sculptor Herbert Tyson Smith began to landscape it, earning the affectionate nickname “Capability Smith.” Today, it’s a tranquil spot to unwind, host performances and workshops, or simply enjoy outdoor sculpture in one of Liverpool’s most peaceful hidden corners.
Independent retailers at Bluecoat
Bluecoat Display Centre – Credit Rach Hankin
Bluecoat is also home to a vibrant community of independent retailers, offering a diverse mix of beautifully crafted, handmade and one-of-a-kind products.
Among them is the Bluecoat Display Centre, a contemporary craft gallery recognised nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s leading spaces for contemporary applied arts.
You’ll also find the legendary Probe Records, the distinctive Aldous Books, and Root Houseplants, specialists in exotic and unusual greenery — making Bluecoat a must-visit destination for anyone who loves creativity, design and local independents.
Make the most of October half-term in Liverpool with a fantastic line-up of family-friendly fun! Go behind the scenes at World Museum’s aquarium, enjoy a Carnatic concert at Liverpool Philharmonic, or meet life-sized dinosaurs at The Atkinson. Plus, there’s crafts and workshops, it’s the perfect week for discovering something new together.
The Gruffalo’s Child – Liverpool Playhouse (28 October – 1 November)
Follow The Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters many mysterious creatures.
Let your imagination run wild with songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone aged 3 to 103.
A Carnatic Quartet: A Concert for Children and Families – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (29 October)
An exciting introduction to the magic of South Indian classical music. Join Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for a special concert designed just for children and families, featuring the dynamic Carnatic Quartet.
This interactive performance is a joyful, high-energy introduction to the fascinating world of Carnatic music. Expect stunning sounds, fun rhythm games, and plenty of chances to get involved – whether it’s clapping along to the beat or discovering how these powerful instruments work together.
Dino Tales – The Atkinson (30 October)
Put on your safari hats and get ready for some ranger danger and roarsome routines with Dino Tales! There’s a baby Ankylosaurus lost in the forest who needs your help and you must find her before the Evil Zookeeper Scientist does…
Flapping frills and dino thrills await as you set off on the ultimate wild rescue mission with state-of-the-art walking dinosaurs, some of which have never been seen on a stage before. You’ll encounter Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the Spinosaurus and Bruce the mighty T-Rex.
Aquarium Story Workshop – World Museum (30 October)
Have you ever thought about what life is like for the endangered species on Earth? In this Aquarium Story Workshop, suitable for both adults and children 11 and above, they will introduce you to some residents from behind the scenes of the World Museum.
You will learn the stories of natural history objects who are endangered, extinct and who defy our expectations! As part of the workshop you will engage with the living creatures of the aquarium and bug house to use as inspiration to create your own stories!
Picturing Freedom: Photography with Freedom Objects – Bluecoat (30 October)
Join photographers Yaqeen Amir, Anoosh Ariamehr for Picturing Freedom: Photography with Freedom Landmarks, to have a free portrait taken with an object or picture which, for you, represents freedom. Families and children are invited to bring an object, drawing, or photo that feels connected to the idea of freedom; maybe something from home, a favourite toy, a family keepsake, or even just a symbol of something you dream about.
Together with Anoosh, these personal items will become part of your portrait through light, projection, or collage, showing that freedom can live in our everyday lives as well as our memories and hopes.
Katumba Halloween Carnival 2025 – Starts Bold Street, City Centre (31 October)
Every October, Liverpool drumming and movement troupe, Katumba transforms Liverpool City Centre into a playground of imagination. Their performances inspire, and engage audiences by creating big, bold, visual shows through a spectacle of drums, fire, lights, dance, theatre and more. This year, Katumba Halloween Carnival reclaims deeper roots. Their theme for 2025 is Ancestral Spirits, Ritual Fire, weaving together the diasporic origins of carnival with the ancient pagan traditions of Samhain.
Born from rituals of remembrance, resistance, and renewal, carnival is a living space where communities gather to drum, dance, and light the darkness with rhythm and spirit. By fusing Afro-diasporic beats with the fire and folklore of Halloween, the procession becomes both a homage and a reinvention.
Join Liverpool’s ArtsGroupie for a crafternoon of creative fun and make your very own shadow puppet in Grow Together. Make a wildflower, butterfly or other garden creature to take home. Ideal for a family half-term activity and a chance to let the children’s imaginations run riot!
The free craft session is part of Green Libraries Week.
Viking takeover day – Museum of Liverpool (1 – 2 November)
Join the Museum of Liverpool‘s atrium as they are joined by living history reenactors from Wirhalh Skip Felagr, who will be bringing the Viking Age back to life in Viking takeover day. Find out what life was like in this region more than a thousand years ago, see authentic Viking Age crafts and take your opportunity to ask questions as history comes to life.
While you are in the museum, you can also take the opportunity to visit their latest exhibition Treasure: History Unearthed to see more wonders from the Viking Age.
To find even more events happening in the Liverpool City Region take a look at our What’s On Listings
Halloween is creeping closer, and Liverpool City Region is ready to deliver a frightfully good time. From family-friendly fun to spine-tingling nights out, there’s plenty of exciting Halloween events in Liverpool and the city region this year.
Step back in time to explore the origins of Halloween at The Atkinson, experience a concert of eerie orchestral favourites at the Liverpool Philharmonic, or revel in a ghoulishly glamorous burlesque at the Everyman Theatre — plus plenty more!
Here are some of the best Halloween events in Liverpool and across the city region for 2025.
Ghosts and Spirits – Downstairs at the Everyman Theatre (25 October)
Join the team downstairs at the Everyman Theatre this Hallow season for Ghosts & Spirits; three cocktails and three stories of the spooky kind.
Your ticket includes a sharing of stories read by their Ghost Hosts, which will include extracts from The Judge’s House (Bram Stoker), Signal Man (Charles Dickens) and Lost Hearts (M R James) plus a cocktail to complement each story.
It’s a triple scream show!
Family Concert: Spooktacular! – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (26 October)
Witches, vampires, ghosts and ghouls – they’re all at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this Halloween! In this fabulous Family Concert: Spooktacular, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra take on the spooky and the spine-chilling, performing haunting music from your favourite films and television, as well as creepy classics by Mussorgsky, Saint-Saëns, Leroy Anderson and more.
So head along in your most devilish disguise and settle in for a journey of musical mystery, it’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Family concerts are designed for 5-10 year olds, but all the family are welcome!
Little Liverpool Halloween Special – Museum of Liverpool (28 – 31 October)
Join Winnie the Spider and some of her friends for a fiendishly good time in the Little Liverpool Halloween Special at Museum of Liverpool. Head along and explore their dedicated children’s gallery with some added Halloween themed fun.
Little Liverpool spooky specials are for visitors aged up to age 6 and their parents/carers. The sessions are held over several days this year, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join in with the scary antics.
Spooky Tales – Unity Theatre (29 October)
Perfect for brave children aged 9+ and their families. From the Team that brought you When Another Dragon Roars. Do you enjoy stories about ghosts, witches, and things that go bump in the night? Then join Edward and Martha Creep as they share terrifying Spooky Tales that will make you gasp, gawp, and grin.
Featuring Altered Scale Theatre’s outstanding puppetry and Petite Ullaloom’s unique storytelling, Spooky Tales is a Halloween treat!
The Spare Rib: Scared Shirtless – Downstairs at the Everyman Theatre (30 October)
Join Spare Rib this Halloween-Eve for Scared Shirtless, a performance of spine-tingling sexiness! A night of frighteningly hot, terrifying delightful and weirdly funny burlesque that may leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about sexuality. There will be British Sign Language interpretation throughout and lyrics will be signed using a mix of BSL & SSE.
Once More… With Screaming – Liverpool Royal Court Theatre (31 October – 1 November)
The People’s Players present Once More… With Screaming, head along and join them for a spooktacular show from Liverpool Royal Court’s very own acting group.
This brand new comedy from writer Sarah O’Hara takes Hammer House Of Horror and hams it up to another level. Ghosts, secrets and murderous intent combine to put the willies up a willing audience who will be left screaming with laughter!
Tender Claws and Friends, Halloween Special – Future Yard (31 October)
With a voice that shifts from velvet sonorous tones to banshee-like wails, Tender Claws lures you into her haunting world of alt rock songs inspired by gothic fiction and the darker sides of nature and the human condition.
Her fuzz-heavy, 90s-reminiscent sound comprises powerful grunge-influenced outbursts and softer episodes, scattered with serrated guitar and synth elements. Following the release of her most recent single, Disappear; and shows this year supporting Dog Race, Rosegarden Funeral Party and Bonnie Trash, she eagerly awaits her suitably spooky Halloween show at Future Yard.
Isaac Hart: Halloween Through the Ages – The Atkinson (31 October)
Writer and Ghost in the Museum podcaster, Isaac Hart, returns to The Atkinson on Halloween Night to discuss the deep origins of the spooky season, with Isaac Hart: Halloween Through the Ages.
From ancient pagan traditions to modern panics over trick or treating, Halloween has always been the time of year that we welcome the weird and the uncanny into our lives rather than pushing it away, with often strange and surprising results…
Spooky Sudley – Sudley House (31 October)
Join the team at Sudley House this Halloween for some ghostly goings on at Spooky Sudley. Halloween at Sudley House will be family friendly but they do recommend that their very youngest visitors might like to be pre-warned that the theme of the event will be a bit spooky. Don’t say they didn’t warn you!
Whether you’re after ghostly tales, live music or family fun, these Halloween events in Liverpool and the city region promise plenty of thrills and chills this spooky season.
To find even more events happening in the Liverpool City Region take a look at our What’s On Listings
Liverpool Irish Festival is all about bringing Liverpool and Ireland closer together through arts and culture. The festival opens the door to Irish culture in fun, accessible and creative ways – from performances and workshops to tours and events across the city.
At its heart, the festival is about sparking conversations through cultural storytelling, blending tradition with contemporary creativity. It’s a celebration of Ireland’s many sides, proudly challenging assumptions along the way.
This year’s theme is ‘arrivals’, shining a light on the contributions of Liverpool’s Irish community.
Here are just a few highlights from the 2025 programme:
Reveal: Book and Documentary Launch – Boxpark (13 October)
This special preview to launch the festival also presents the exclusive first screening of their new documentary and the debut of their long-awaited book, Reveal. Three years in the making, this evening marks a milestone moment for Liverpool Irish Festival.
Documenting the 2024 Walk of the Bronze Shoes — a pilgrimage from Strokestown, Ireland to Liverpool — and the creation of the Global Irish Famine Way, this book and film capture countless hours of research, endurance and dedication from our remarkable walkers and researchers.
#LIF2025 Launch – Liverpool Irish Centre (16 October)
Meet the Festival team and artists at the #LIF2025 Launch, hear about the programme and meet with friends. The Centre, the spiritual home of the Irish community in Liverpool, provides a convivial space in which to toast ‘fáilte’ (welcome) to all those who join them, have helped them and will be there for festivals ahead.
You can also be among the first to claim your free Brave Maeve treasure map and meet Stu Harrison — the illustrator and storyteller that brought Liverpool’s real life Brave Maeve to 2D.
In The Window: Meet The Maker: Corinne Price – Bluecoat Display Centre (17 October)
The Bluecoat Display Centre and Liverpool Irish Festival’s 2025 In The Window: Meet The Maker is artist Corinne Price. This event provides visitors with the chance to speak with the artist directly, about their work, general practice, ambitions and achievements.
Centred on Corinne’s ceramics, which layer pigment into the clay itself, visitors will benefit from a guided question and answer session, being able to ask additional questions.
Queer Arrivals – Unity Theatre (17 October)
Queer Arrivals, staged at Unity Theatre, is a deeply personal, music-filled journey by Irish singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt, exploring what it means to come into queerness – and into oneself – later in life. With original songs and intimate storytelling, Gráinne shares her experience of falling in love with a woman in her 40s and how that has transformed her understanding of identity, artistry and belonging.
Incorporating Gráinne’s partner Jules Stewart on drums and vocals, Queer Arrivals is a tender, honest, and powerful celebration of love, growth, and self-acceptance debuting at the Liverpool Irish Festival.
The Great Hunger 2 Hour Tour – Starts Pilotage Building, near Museum of Liverpool (19 October)
Join Liverpool Irish Festival‘s John Maguire (also of ArtsGroupie) on an expanded The Great Hunger 2 Hour Tour of several Liverpool Irish Famine Trail sites, including Clarence Dock – the entry way for over 1.8m+ Irish Famine poor – and others in the town centre.
Spectators will hear how The Great Hunger changed Liverpool’s streets, learning how locations were used for sanctuary, nourishment and safety. Along the route, sites of Irish influence will also be marked helping to show the geographic memory of these times. Walkers will also hear about the benevolence of Liverpool’s people and on-going effects on the city today.
The Druids – Liverpool Irish Centre (19 October)
Irish folk band The Druids are back with another master show, featuring captivating new blends of traditional Irish folk music and storytelling. This type of performance highlights the band’s rich musical heritage, weaving together timeless Irish ballad songs with the powerful narratives that have been passed down through generations.
The combination of music and stories gives audiences a deep dive into Ireland’s cultural history, offering a mix of lively jigs, heartfelt ballads and tales that reflect the country’s folklore, struggles, and triumphs. Irish folk bands often use this format to connect with their audiences on a more emotional level, while also providing an immersive, entertaining experience.
Did I Ever Tell Ya – Liverpool Royal Court (22 October)
Join award-winning Irish playwright and actor David Gilna for Did I Ever Tell Ya, an unforgettable evening of storytelling at Liverpool’s Royal Court, as he delves into the laughter and heartbreak that shape our lives.
Through themes of grief, nostalgia, and the enduring power of humour, David asks the ultimate question: why do we tell the stories we do? A deeply moving and wildly entertaining night that will leave you laughing, crying, and craving more.
Welcome Home / Failte Abhaile – Sefton Park Palm House (23 October)
Irish people have made homes all over the world and Liverpool is no exception, being known as East Dublin, East Belfast and the 33rd county! Taking this year’s theme of ‘arrivals’, the George Ferguson Irish Dance School and Merseyside’s Melody Makers have collaborated to produce a Welcome Home / Failte Abhaile programme, celebrating what it is to arrive. Whether home is new or old, arriving there can be full of anticipation, expectation and nostalgia.
This engaging two-hour programme features over 50 musicians and dancers from across Merseyside. The performance takes place in one of Liverpool’s most emerald spaces: the ever-magnificent Sefton Park Palm House.
Family Day – Museum of Liverpool (25 October)
A festival-staple and must-see, at Family Day you’re invited to pop by or spend the day at the Museum of Liverpool. There’s plenty of activities to entertain kids (and adults) of all ages. The Armagh Rhymers return with their (exclusive to the Festival) Liver Bird story helping to understand how the First Nations people of North America helped the Irish during The Great Hunger.
The Bolger-Cunningham Dance School will give it their all in the morning, before the George Ferguson School for Irish Dance produce junior and senior dance sets, whilst Melody Makers and Comhaltas will bring their intergenerational group to play in the space. You’ll also be able to collect a Brave Maeve Tír Na nÓg map.
Loved: I visit River of Light every year and I’m a regular at the Floral Pavilion and the Liverpool Empire, I went to their amazing launch party for Eurovision. I also pop into the Walker Art Gallery, whenever I can, to see The Shepherdess by George Clausen, which I love.
Looking Forward To: I’m delighted to be joining this year’s Liverpool Literary Festival, which is held 17 – 19 October. As an alumnus of the University of Liverpool, it’s great to be part of this year’s 10th anniversary programme, where I’ll be talking about my latest novel, The Wager and the Bear. Tickets are still available so I would encourage anyone who is interested in themes such as climate change to book and come along.
I’ll also be heading down to see Liverpool Empire’s new production of Fawlty Towers next month.
Trivia: I once drove a £100 banger from Plymouth to the Gambia for an African children’s charity and raised over £10,000
From local legends to global sounds, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music Room is celebrating 10 years of bringing you closer to grassroots music, their birthday celebrations will be held from 28 September to 13 October.
Over the past decade, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’s Music Room has done it all. They’ve brought you incredible shows spanning the whole spectrum of musical genres, plus intimate chamber concerts, musical adventures for their youngest audiences and inspiring community music workshops too. They’ve welcomed a vast array of artists, nurtured new talent, and collaborated with partners to present a programme that’s exciting, diverse and truly unique.
Now, they’re marking this special occasion with a huge celebration of all the Music Room does. So head along, join the party and help celebrate a decade of the Music Room – a real treasure of Liverpool’s music scene.
Discover their Music Room 10 programme below…
Cerddoriaeth Cymru: 9Bach, Cerys Hafana and VRi (3 October)
In every corner of Britain, there are tales to be told – and great folk artists ready to tell them through song. In the Music Room, they have a proud folk music tradition, and so as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations they’re shining a spotlight on folk musicians from across the home nations, celebrating their countries and their music.
First up at Cerddoriaeth Cymru, they welcome three captivating Welsh artists, VRï, Cerys Hafana and 9Bach, back to the Music Room.
Daughters of Albion: Kathryn Williams and Sarah Smout (5 October)
The Music Room has always been a beloved home for folk music – and they’re finishing theirr tour of Britain’s folk tradition by returning home to England with Daughters of Albion. In two exciting shows, you’ll see female folk artists, both established stars and up-and-coming talent, come together on stage in inspiring showcases of the English folk genre, its history and its future too. This afternoon, they welcome Kathryn Williams and Sarah Smout.
Kathryn Williams is a Liverpool-born, Mercury Music Prize nominated singer-songwriter with 16 albums under her belt. Cellist, singer and poet Sarah Smout weaves together nature, creativity, and activism to provoke thought and inspire change. Her music has been played on BBC Radio 2, she’s worked with Greenpeace and been a session musician for artists such as Michael Chapman and Bridget St. John
Music Mondays (6 October)
Over the last ten years, the Music Room has been home to lots of Liverpool Philharmonic’s award-winning Music and Health work – an integral part of their activity within the community, helping thousands of people every year. They’re proud to celebrate that programme during this anniversary.
So, today they’re hosting a very special edition of Music Mondays. Running as a social prescribing programme, Music Mondays aim to boost mood, increase social connection and build confidence through learning about music and making music together too. Sessions are open to anyone aged 18+ from across the Liverpool City Region, and participants can self-refer or be referred by a GP/community organisation.
Hope St. Blues: Catfish Keith and Jo Harman with very special guest Connie Lush (7 October)
Foot-stomping, heartbreaking and spellbinding, some Music Room legends return to sing the Hope St Blues. On this tenth anniversary, the pioneering Catfish Keith makes his tenth appearance on our stage, and award-winning, best-selling blues/soul vocalist Jo Harman performs for the third time too.
They’re also delighted to welcome back Connie Lush from retirement to perform a couple of songs. She was the artist who performed the very first test event at the Music Room’s launch and treated them to a Christmas residency in 2019.
One Night on Sugnall (9 October)
As part of their celebrations, they’re welcoming back some of the city’s most exciting young stars in One Night at Sugnall – artists who have all risen up through the Music Room, and have each headlined their own show in the space. Head along as Ellis Murphy, Astles, MT Jones and Motel Sundown perform as you’ve never seen them before.
Ellis Murphy has amassed a cult following with his timeless brand of storytelling, through his songs that are both current and fresh but also reminiscent of a time when troubadours were the voice of a generation. Astles’ songwriting has piqued the interest of the NME, Clash Magazine and even Sir Paul McCartney. He has supported the likes of Bill Ryder Jones, The Mysterines and Michael Head.
MT Jones evokes a sound that transports you back to a smoke-filled speakeasy, while also feeling fresh and innovative and Motel Sundown draw listeners with their blend of 70’s soft rock and luscious three-part harmonies.
They Say It’s Our Birthday: Baked a la Ska (10 October)
Today’s the day – it’s officially the Music Room’s tenth birthday! And what better way to celebrate this anniversary than with an all-out, irresistible party hosted by none other than Baked A La Ska – the incredible group who have brought so much fun and joyful energy to the venue over the years.
With their annual Christmas show, and plenty of other visits besides, they’ve introduced us to vintage ska sounds and an eclectic platter of covers – and now they’re back, marking a decade of the Music Room with a specially-curated, never-before-seen show. In this very special performance, they’ll be sprinkling some ska dust on Beatles hits and rarities, and travelling through their own back catalogue, bringing you tracks from all five of their albums. Get ready for a real extravaganza, from one of the tightest rhythm sections in Manchester.
Klezmer-ish – Celebrating 10 Years of Music and Memories (12 – 13 October)
Klezmer-ish returns to the Music Room to celebrate a remarkable milestone — the 10th anniversary of both the band and this iconic venue. These special performances will be a vibrant celebration of nostalgia, joy, and musical magic.
To mark the occasion, they’ll welcome back special guest artists who have collaborated with them over the years, while also showcasing the talent of new young performers, coming together to create a dynamic and exciting blend of sounds and styles.
Youth Company Celebrates 10 years of the Music Room (12 October)
Since 2015, the Music Room has been an invaluable venue for Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company, giving the region’s brightest young musicians a space to stage incredible concerts, and celebrate their talent and hard work. For their anniversary, Youth Company Celebrates 10 years of the Music Room, they’ve invited two of Youth Company’s stellar ensembles to head along and really put on a show.
Both Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Session Band and Brass Band are no stranger to the Music Room – they have regularly taken to the stage over the years to sell-out audiences. Hear the best of the company’s contemporary and brass ensembles in an electrifying, high-energy performance of pop favourites new and old, and brass music that will bring the house down.
Liverpool’s waterfront will once again be transformed into a spectacular outdoor art gallery this autumn, as River of Light returns with a brand-new theme: The Science of Light.
Running from Friday 24 October to Sunday 2 November, the much-loved, free festival will showcase ten large-scale artworks, each inspired by science, technology, or the natural world. Now in its 8th edition, River of Light continues to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, combining cutting-edge creativity with world-class locations.
This year, organisers have worked closely with Liverpool’s thriving science and innovation community to create an inspiring 3km trail stretching across the Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head, Exchange Flags and Liverpool ONE.
River of Light 2025 Installations
Blueprint by Studio Vertigo
Blueprint is a large-scale immersive artwork inspired by the form of a double helix, the physical structure of DNA. It is a parametric design, 20m long and 5.5m high, comprising of 180 x 360º tube LEDs that follow an outer spiral and are brought together at a fixed central point with sweeping curves. This is highlighted with a sequence of high-resolution lighting effects, representing the four bases of DNA slowly flowing through the artwork.
The edges are also highlighted with a dynamic lighting program to show the DNA backbone. The sculpture appears to be in a state of constant transformation, its free-flow of curves are set within a functional and orderly working of lines. DNA is often called the blueprint of life because it contains the instructions for development, growth and survival. life.
Location: Strand, in front of Salthouse Dock – Opposite Canning Place. L3 4AN
Cycle by Serge Maheu
Cycle is an urban star, shining bright. Created by Serge Maheu, Cycle is an interactive installation inspired by the revolutions of the sun and the moon, that illuminates open spaces.
Composed of a series of modules equipped with several light animation sequences, Cycle delights with its variations in intensity and colour. Diffusing brightness from its core, it evokes the halo effect of an eclipse. In a maestria of light and sound, Cycle comes to life at the rhythm of bystanders’ interactions. By moving to the beat of the ambient music, the young and the young at heart transmit their energy to Cycle, transforming it into a larger-than-life musical sequencer.
Location: The Strand, Liverpool, L1 8LT (Outside Cunard Building)
Dandelion by Amigo & Amigo
Close your eyes, make a wish, and behold, Dandelion comes to life! Inspired by the wind-blown petals of the dandelion — a plant as symbolic as it is scientifically fascinating — this installation reimagines a delicate natural form through engineering, optics, and motion. Revered for its medicinal properties and aerodynamic seed dispersal, the dandelion becomes a living sculpture that blends biology with technology.
Every five minutes, Dandelion transforms into a dynamic spectacle, combining programmed LED light animations with immersive sound design to mimic the fluid dynamics of wind and the natural rhythm of seed release. The work not only celebrates the aesthetic beauty of the plant but also explores the principles behind its structure, movement, and resilience. By bridging natural science with sensory experience, Dandelion invites audiences into a realm where curiosity meets wonder — where light becomes a language for discovery, and art becomes an expression of the unseen forces that shape our world.
Location: Mann Island – in front of Museum of Liverpool (L3 1DG)
Embrace by Beamhacker
Experience the science of connection with Beamhacker’s interactive light and sound installation Embrace. First commissioned for Vivid Sydney 2024, Embrace is a circle of 15 life-sized illuminated silhouettes inspired by the nostalgic human paper chain. When people join hands between the figures, their bodies complete an electrical circuit, allowing a flow of energy that triggers ripples of light and sound.
This simple act of touch – proven to release oxytocin, lower stress, and strengthen bonds – becomes a living demonstration of bioelectricity and the transfer of energy between people. Each connection transforms the installation, with light patterns refracting and harmonies layering in response, making the science of interaction visible and audible.
As more people collaborate, the colours grow richer, the movements more dynamic, and the soundscape more intricate. When the full circle is joined, Embrace reaches a spectacular crescendo, symbolising the synergy of human connection, the flow of energy, and the beauty of achieving a shared goal.
Location: Exchange Flags, L2 3PF
FACE VALUE by Emma Brass and Venya Krutikov
“Face Value” is an immersive experience where audience members unexpectedly become part of a fantasy gameshow, as an AI-powered robotic artist selects and transforms their images in real time. The experience highlights themes of technology and control, prompting participants to wonder what ultimately happens to their digital selves.
The installation combines novel technologies, including artificial intelligence and robotics, to create a constantly evolving spectacle. A CCTV-style network of cameras captures images of the crowd, from which pictures of current audience members are selected at random. This ensures that every cycle of the installation is entirely unique.
Location: Mann Island Atrium, L3 1BP
Neuron by Juan Fuentes Studio
Neuron draws inspiration from the fascinating world of neurons and brain connectivity. The light installation “Neuron” simulates neural networks, bridging art and science by visually representing the functioning of the human brain and the connections that enable us to learn and perceive the world.
The piece reflects how neurons transmit information through electrical impulses, which are fundamental to human communication and creativity. At the same time, “Neuron” evokes the functioning of real neurons in solving complex problems. The installation transforms a fundamental scientific concept into a sensory experience, connecting audiences to the wonder of science through light.
Location: The Strand outside Royal Liver Building, George’s Dock Gates, L2 0RG
Optik by The Urban Conga
An interactive installation by The Urban Conga, Optik reflects on our ability to play with our surroundings while giving the opportunity for brand new point of views on our daily environment. The essence of Optik lies in the captivating phenomena of reflection and refraction, where light and sound becomes a medium of discovery and interaction, inviting users to manipulate it and playfully reimagine their world.
The ten 6 feet (1,8 meters) gyroscope-like forms with, at the centre, a dichroic film, offer new ever- changing opportunities that reflect any ray of lights during the day while refracting the inner rings lighting at dusk. As the audience rotates each unit, they create their own endless cascade of colors. The experience is raised to another level as sound joins us on the rhythmical effort, turning each unit into a different musical instrument.
Location: Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool ONE, L1 8LW.
SPICA by Juan Fuentes Studio
A star of lights that shines with the energy of the universe. This luminous installation, with moving LEDs, not only dazzles visually but also brings to life a fascinating scientific concept: why do stars shine? The answer lies in Einstein’s equation E=mc², which explains how nuclear fusion at the core of the Sun and other stars converts mass into an explosion of energy and light.
As a tribute to Einstein’s groundbreaking work and his most famous theory—the theory of relativity—this star transforms science into art, representing the constant flow of energy that lights up our universe. The installation connects spectators to the wonder of space, reminding us that, at the end of the day, we are all made of stardust.
Location: Outside Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building (Hartley Quay, Salthouse Quay, Royal Albert Dock, L3 4AX)
Pendulum by Amigo & Amigo
Pendulum is a giant interactive artwork that blends science, art, and play into an immersive experience. Inspired by the simple beauty of a gravity pendulum, this illuminated installation brings motion to life through dynamic waves of light and sound. Suspended above the audience, a glowing geometric structure appears to sway back and forth, mimicking the rhythm of a pendulum.
On either side, interactive light spheres invite people to engage – when pushed, they activate the artwork, sending energy across the space. The light animations follow the pendulum’s natural movement, creating the illusion of continuous motion, as if the entire structure is swinging through the air. By transforming the forces of gravity into shifting patterns of light and sound, Pendulum turns a fundamental scientific principle into a mesmerising, playful, and immersive experience.
Location: Pier Head – North (L3 1BY)
Within Water by Yellow Studio
Within Water is a site-specific installation inspired by the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence in marine life. Located within Liverpool’s Pier Head canal link, the piece explores the dynamic relationship between water, light, and human interaction. Through a grid of programmable lights embedded beneath the water’s surface, the installation mimics the gentle glow and movement of bioluminescent algae, creating an illuminated current that shifts in colour and intensity.
The central sculptural element, a human hand, serves as a symbolic trigger, sparking a physical disturbance that activates the bioluminescent light in response to human touch, emphasising connection and interaction between people and their environment. Within Water invites viewers to experience the vibrance, layers, and fluidity of light as it dances through water, blending natural phenomena with innovative technology. The installation celebrates water’s role as a driving force in Liverpool’s identity while engaging themes of transformation and community.
Location: Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1HT (South End Canal Basin)
The full line-up, locations, opening times, and FAQs can be found via the Visit Liverpool website, with updates shared via @visitliverpool (X, Facebook, TikTok) and @visitliverpool_ (Instagram).
BlackFest is grassroots, homegrown, award-winning Black arts organisation based in Liverpool City Region. They showcase music, theatre, film, visual arts, spoken word, and poetry across both community and mainstream venues. Their aim is to bridge the gap between institutions and the marginalised communities they represent.
Their annual festival was created to amplify and celebrate Black artistic expression, the theme for BlackFest 2025 is Masculinity and Masculine energy, exploring and celebrating the diverse aspects of masculinity.
Here’s a selection of highlights from this year’s line-up:
Diversity Dialogues with Malik Al Nasir – Sefton Park Palm House (23 September)
Come together for an inspiring Diversity Dialogues session with author, educator, artist, activist Malik Al Nasir hosted by Dr Rebecca Loy as he shares reflections on identity and heritage his second published book, Searching for my Slave Roots.
Malik Al Nasir was born in Liverpool to mixed parentage, with a white mother and a black father. Bemused by memories of racist shouts for him to ‘go back to where you came from’ he began to look into his ancestry. His resulting book charts the twists and turns of his journey into the past and explores an untold chapter in both Black and British history.
With uplifting performances featuring Hayli Kincade and Wavertree Community Choir.
Remée – The Tung Auditorium (24 September)
Part of the Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series, join BlackFest in partnership with The Tung Auditorium in celebrating local Liverpool artist Remée.
Remée is an alternative artist who draws inspiration from a wide range of artists and genres with immersive lyrical storytelling and stunning visuals. She is also known for her love of steampunk fashion and Victorian-era aesthetics, which she incorporates into her music. The local singer/songwriter blends electronics with heavy bass in a captivating show.
Rhythms Night – District (25 September)
A dynamic showcase blending rock-punk with soulful singer-songwriters, Rhythms Night features headliner Third Kulture alongside KingFast, Mina and Rafaela. Third Kulture’s unique sound draws from all corners of their diverse cultural influence, blending mesmerising R&B vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and the cutting-edge influences of grime and modern rap with flavours of UK rave music, dancehall and trip-hop.
Formed in Manchester, the dynamic trio are loud and unapologetically themselves, embodying the essence of diversity, innovation, and cultural fusion.
Spoken Word Poetry Night – The Capstone Theatre (3 October)
Head along and enjoy poets and wordsmiths bringing their views and experiences to life, featuring Dionne Simpson, Sabiya and Janoma Omena. The experimental Spoken Word Poetry Night has always been such a well-loved segment of the festival from audiences and artists alike.
BlackFest have shortlisted the talented and passionate artists to develop their work over a series of professionally facilitated workshops and rehearsals. The comedy veers from breaking intergenerational curses to dark and witty humour, covering themes of abuse, race, culture and identity.
Curtis Watt is an established local Liverpool multidisciplinary artist. His practice is in sketch, mixed media and surrealist dream translations in pencil, pastels and ink. His work has also included rap, music production, theatre development and performance coaching.
The Visual Arts Workshop explores creative writing, storytelling, poetry and spoken word, followed by sketching your own creative response.
Celebrating 150 Years Coleridge Taylor Day – The Capstone Theatre / Hope Creative Campus (11 October)
2025 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Tayo Aluko & Friends CIC in partnership with BlackFest and Liverpool Hope University are holding a Celebrating Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Day at Hope University’s creative campus.
The day will include some of Coleridge-Taylor’s works featuring singers and instrumentalists singing and playing the composer’s music. , and Tayo Aluko’s play, Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown at The Captone Theatre.
BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over – Shakespeare North Playhouse (14 October)
Join the BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over as artists Shak, Chelsey, Resila and BluBoy bring exciting experimental new works using their disciplines and theatre to bring their stories to life.
Some of the artists use their writing and directing skills, some their own performance and poetry skills and some a combination of singing performing and writing. They are also creating open mic slots for after the artists have performed, you can sign up before the event at andi.herring@blackfest.co.uk.
The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase – Liverpool Royal Court Studios (25 October)
The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase is hosted by Che Burnley, hailing from Oldham and an honorary Scouser. In the last few years Che has established his own showcase show in Edinburgh and Liverpool, provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter, written his own solo shows and still found time to gig across the country. Join the festival comedy showcase for Che and some excellent supporting acts from Liverpool and beyond.
For more details and to buy tickets, visit their website www.blackfest.co.uk
To discover even more events across the Liverpool city region check out our What’s On Listings.
The British Science Festival 2025, the 194th annual celebration of science, runs in Liverpool from 10-14 September at various venues across the city.
From comedy shows to art installations, dynamic performances to hands-on workshops, insightful talks to interactive experiences, the British Science Festival programme of over 100 events is free and has something for everyone.
Talks by influencer and Bionic Arm ambassador Tilly Lockey, leading geneticist Giles Yeo, and Time Team genealogist Sophie Kay; artwork made from thousands of human teeth; and a carnival style dance performance on the theme of migratory birds are just some of the highlights of this year’s festival.
Here’s a selection of highlights from the 2025 festival.
Liverpool In Space – LJMU Redmonds Building (11 September)
Drop in and discover the out-of-this-world science that’s happening across the city with Liverpool in space. Meet space scientists from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University to delve into fascinating subjects including microgravity, astrophysics and planetary defence. This is your chance to find out about the technologies that are deepening our understanding of the universe and changing our life on Earth.
Game On, Snack More – The Tung Auditorium (11 September)
Is digital gaming affecting what you eat? Join Game On, Snack More to find out. Brands are everywhere on videogame livestreaming platforms, most often targeting young people with ads for food high in fat, sugar and salt. Rebecca Evans (University of Liverpool) will show how this marketing affects eating habits, calling for more research to help shape public health policy.
Truth In The Age of AI – FACT (12 September)
How do we perceive Truth and authenticity in the age of AI? From viral deep fakes to AI-altered videos designed to manipulate public opinion, digital authenticity is increasingly uncertain. Join multimedia artist Rachel Maclean and FACT’s Director Nicola Triscott as they discuss how artists are opening up new perspectives on the risks and opportunities that AI poses to our perception of what is true and what is fabricated.
MOONFACE – Unity Theatre (12 September)
Shady billionaires make plans to colonise and mine the solar system, and our nearest celestial neighbour has something to say about it. A clowning show performed by Meg Hodgson with live sound from Livvy Lynch, MOONFACE is a funny and exuberant love letter to our rocky satellite that explores what it means to be human. Expect burlesque and drag-style numbers, testimony from survivors of human-made disasters, and movement inspired by the gravitational interactions between Earth and moon.
The Future of Rail – All Aboard for Tomorrow! Metal Liverpool (13 September)
What will train travel look like 200 years from now? Who will run the railways? What will we eat onboard? How fast will we go and how can we travel greener and cleaner? Join Metal Liverpool for The Future of Rail – All Aboard for Tomorrow! a fun, hands-on creative workshop where you’ll imagine the future of rail travel.
Working with St. Helens based artist Claire Weetman they will explore big questions through drawing, design, and storytelling. Whether you’re a train lover, a daydreamer, or simply curious — all are welcome. No experience needed, just bring your imagination!
Searching for inspiration for your next piece of writing? Want to explore ideas about science from the past? Take part in Archive adventures: Creative writing workshop, that will reveal how scientific archives could inspire your work. Gain the confidence and skills you need to jump right in! Writer Clodagh Chapman will talk about how scientific archives can be places of unexpected discovery, for writers and scientists alike.
Food, Glorious Food – Museum of Liverpool Lecture Theatre (14 September)
What can the humble potato teach us about food cultures and communities? Many staples of the British diet originate from Latin America, from potatoes, corn and tomatoes to chocolate and strawberries. Join a team of foodies for Food, Glorious Food – including scientists, archaeologists, chefs, musicians and curators – for tastings, conversations and demonstrations that delve into the origins and importance of these delicious crops.
During this lively session, led by Luma Creations in collaboration with the World Museum, they’ll discuss how these foods have been integrated into our diets and what they mean to people, both now and in the past.
Art Forgery To Astrophysics: A Data Science Showcase – Museum of Liverpool (14 September)
Curious about how computers solve problems? Want to know how algorithms work? Keen to talk about the impact of AI? Drop in for a chat with Art forgery to astrophysics: A data science showcase with researchers from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University and find out about their research across data science. They’ll explain how data science is used for a multitude of things, from identifying art forgeries all the way to astrophysics.
This is also a chance to explore the fundamentals of sorting algorithms, which are essential for designing computer programmes. Discover how sorting data plays a key role in computation.
Discover the entire programme of events for the British Science Festival and book your free tickets at britishsciencefestival.org.
For even more things to do in Liverpool and the city region check out our What’s On Listings.
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