In the first edition of Buried Treasure for 2026, John Maguire of ArtsGroupie CIC explores the rituals, superstitions and everyday traditions that shape how we welcome a new year. Drawing on memories from a working-class Liverpool upbringing and customs passed down through generations, John reflects on “living heritage” and why these Old New Year practices still matter. As 2026 is recognised as a year of living heritage in the UK, this piece considers how ritual, memory and shared belief help us navigate change in a fast-paced world.
In my working-class upbringing, superstitions and rituals were woven into everyday life, such as not crossing on the stairs or avoiding walking under a ladder. My mum always kept a rabbit’s foot in her purse for luck, given to her by her grandma. I cannot say why it was lucky; I’d say it hadn’t been particularly lucky for the rabbit!
2026 is a year of “living heritage” in the UK, so I thought in this Buried Treasure, we would dive into some New Year rituals and where they come from. These “Old New Year” traditions feel even more vital in our fast-paced digital world. One tradition I have started is to make not so much New Year’s resolutions as New Year’s wishes: a list of wants for the forthcoming year for my family, my friends, and me. I focus on experiences and how I want to develop. These go into an envelope and are popped away with the decorations, ready to be looked at the end of the year. This act of anamnesis—intentionally recalling these past hopes—allows me to see how I have developed. It is a way to design your own future; to plot your own story, so to speak.
I am of Irish descent, and Liverpool’s customs largely reflect those of the broader British Isles due to migration and cultural exchange. My nan brought a ritual from her Irish ancestors she called “seeing the New Year in”—a tradition involving opening the back door just before midnight to “let the old year out,” and then opening the front door to “welcome the new year in.”
But the threshold isn’t the only place we invite change; my sister looks to the very corners of the home. Performing a thorough spring clean before the New Year is a common custom to ensure a fresh start and ward off evil spirits. However, one of the most prevalent historical customs in Liverpool is “First Footing.” The core idea is that the first person to enter a home after the stroke of midnight brings good luck for the year ahead.
First Footing:
The Ideal Guest: A tall, dark-haired man was believed to bring the best fortune.
Unlucky Visitors: Women or fair-haired men were historically considered bad luck, a superstition possibly stemming from Viking invasions.
Symbolic Gifts: The visitor would bring tokens to ensure the household had all it needed: Coal for warmth, Bread for sustenance, Money (a silver coin) for prosperity, and Greenery for a long life.
These traditions of commensality—the sharing of food and resources—ensure that prosperity is distributed throughout the community. Many “old” customs also involve specific symbolic foods:
In Italy and South America, lentils are eaten because their shape resembles coins, symbolising future wealth.
In Brazil, poultry is avoided because chickens scratch backwards, which is believed to cause setbacks.
In North Macedonia, a coin is baked into bread (called pita or maznik); whoever finds it wins the year’s luck.
I particularly like the Romanian tradition in which people dress as bears and dance to ward off evil spirits, known as the “Jocul Ursului” (Dance of the Bear). I may take this up and head to my nearest woods, Childwall Abbey Woods. Keep an eye on the local papers for any bear sightings!
However you choose to welcome 2026, we hope it is enjoyable and that the year ahead is prosperous. Does your family still practice “First Footing,” or do you have a modern ritual of your own?
What’s coming up at Collective Encounters? ReCITE and the development of our Theatre Informed Policy Making model AND our sector development events in the new year which are:
Trivia: Outside of Collective Encounters I run a script reading service called My Next Draft (Mynextdraft.com) that helps writers locally and internally to finish drafts of plays and screenplays.
In the latest instalment of Buried Treasure by ArtsGroupie CIC, the team delves into the chilling world of Ghost Stories for Xmas, their much-loved festive tradition that blends Victorian ghost tales with immersive theatrical spectacle. This feature revisits the project’s roots and presents the winning story from the 2023 Ghost Stories for Xmas Writing Competition, inviting readers to embrace the dark magic of seasonal storytelling.
As we head into the depths of winter for the fourth year, ArtsGroupie is once again busy with our annual ‘Ghost Stories for Xmas’ events across the U.K. Praised by The New York Times as the “late-night sensation that revived a time-honored tradition” and consistently selling out, our latest offering is an expanded theatrical experience that began in November and is running throughout December 2025 in the North West of England and Wales.
The Theatrical Spectacle
Continuing the Victorian tradition of sharing spooky tales during the festive season, the production features classic works from masters of the macabre, M.R. James and Algernon Blackwood.
The show is far more than a simple reading; it’s a whole theatrical spectacle. We incorporate signature shadow play and puppetry to enhance the eerie atmosphere. Local writer David Griffiths and I perform the tales in atmospheric venues designed to maximise the chills, such as the historic Liverpool Central Library Hornby Room and the Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Our goal is to engage the audience’s imagination in a dark, candlelit setting—to encourage people to read and listen to ghost stories, move away from digital screens, and perhaps write or tell a tale of their own.
Looking Back: The 2023 Writing Competition
Looking back to 2023, we were kindly supported by Arts Council England. We facilitated 14 creative writing workshops across the Liverpool City Region in community hubs and libraries, focused on crafting new ghost stories. We also ran a competition and were delighted to receive over 142 entries for our Ghost Stories for Xmas Writing Competition, showcasing a remarkable wealth of talent and creativity in the region.
The competition was fierce, with exceptionally high standards of entry, making the selection process challenging. A shortlist of ten was then presented to our friends at the Liverpool Literary Agency to select the top three winners.
The 2023 Winner
So, for this month’s Buried Treasure, we want to share the 2023 winner with you. Perhaps it may inspire you to pen a tale to share with family, friends and colleagues. Please note, candlelight is best!
The Advent By Jason Teasdale
The first door was as it should be. The figure ‘1’, depicted as a candle. Seasonal.
‘2’ was a swan, not very Christmassy, but on reflection, the least of the artist’s worries.
‘3’ was a snowman – better as a figure ‘8’ surely?
His son Sam, unimpressed, had cast it aside as ‘weird rubbish’.
He wasn’t wrong.
But this was a gesture typical of Julia. Homemade, scrappy, even each ‘reveal’ was an abstract depiction of the date on its door. Pointless, weird rubbish. Acceptable in 1973 perhaps, but Advent had upped its game to chocolates, Haribo, Lego. Not this home-crafted tat.
So, here he was on Christmas Eve. He should be binning it, not opening it.
Why bother? Loyalty? Sentimentality?
No. An uneasiness.
Its arrival in this morning’s post came a week after her body was recovered. The envelope held a child’s drawing, smudged with what looked like mud. Inside, a handmade advent calendar.
He recalled how the penmanship on the calendar’s envelope had matched that of her final note. Curls in ink of emerald, green. The colour of her eyes. The colour of his too. Identical at birth, so very different after. He hated her now. Hated her for leaving him. To send this, perhaps even on the day she took her own life? To address it to his seven-year-old child… cruel didn’t cover it.
Hate couldn’t cover it.
It should have stayed lost in the post, like she had been lost to him. Instead, here it was on his kitchen table. A table set for one. Sam’s mum had collected the boy earlier than agreed, another cruel twist on this, their first Christmas apart. So, brandy in hand, he allowed tears to flow as his long fingers worked their way across the board, peeling, tearing.
Under each window, the artwork became progressively less seasonal and more disturbed: a blade and a bowed head to represent ‘19’. ‘20’ was fog, or water.
‘21’ a rope and gibbet.
Entrails for ‘22’.
A headstone with the figure ‘23’ picked out.
Shaking, he poured a fresh glass. One door left. This one more unnatural still, in a way he couldn’t identify. His heart stuttered. His veins chilled. His breath fogged before him. An uneasy, cold dampness seemed to grip his ankles, rising like a tide. But there was nothing there. He took another swig of warming brandy, before pawing at the remaining door. But the heat in his throat was short-lived. A cold, pressure fell hard on his chest. Panic? Impossibly, he felt his lungs fill. He coughed. Filthy, sour, grey water spewed from his mouth, mingling obscenely with the ribbons and glitter of the calendar. Beneath his panicked fingernails, the corrupted paper yielded, disintegrating to reveal a familiar green eye.
Things to Do in Liverpool and the City Region this Festive Season: Exhibitions, Museums, Theatre & More.
This festive season, Liverpool City Region is brimming with exciting things to do, offering something for everyone. From captivating exhibitions showcasing inspiring artwork to fascinating museums where history comes to life, there’s plenty to explore. For those seeking live entertainment, the vibrant theatre scene promises dazzling performances and unforgettable shows. If you’re after some fresh air, take a relaxing stroll on one of the many scenic walks through the city’s beautiful parks and waterfronts. And when the weather calls for a cosy escape, head to the cinema for a film screening. Whatever your interests, the Liverpool city region offers a wealth of activities to make this festive season extra special.
Museums and Galleries
Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, visiting museums and art galleries is one of the best things to do in Liverpool City Region for a peaceful retreat. Whether you’re seeking a break from the festive frenzy or looking to add a dash of intellectual curiosity to your holidays, a museum excursion offers the perfect blend of reflection and exploration. Step into a world of fascinating artifacts and exhibits, where the past unfolds its stories, making for a unique and enriching experience during the festive season.
FACT
Bassam Issa Al-Sabah’s THE MISSION IS THE END, THE END IS ALL I WANT! (2025)
FACT have a number of immersive exhibitions currently on display. assam Issa Al-Sabah unveils dreamlike animations and sculptures exploring resistance and queer possibility, while Nina Davies blurs fact and fiction in a futuristic sci-fi installation shaped by lived experiences of cancer. Completing the programme, Symoné’s Highway to Infinity offers a 20-minute bio-digital game that guides players through a surreal journey of memory, identity and self-reflection.
Just Browsing exhibition at Bluecoat. Credit: Benjamin Nuttall
Bluecoat’s winter exhibitions offer playful, tactile and thought-provoking experiences for all ages. Lou Miller: We Dream of Our Freedom invites visitors into an interactive installation created with local schoolchildren, exploring young people’s visions of what freedom means today. Alongside it, Just Browsing transforms the gallery into a touchable, wearable art space, featuring textiles, ceramics, scent and sculptural works that audiences can physically engage with. Part of Bluecoat’s Felt season, the show brings together a vibrant group of artists and celebrates art you can truly get hands-on with.
Museum of Liverpool’s Wondrous Place. Credit: Pete Carr
The Museum of Liverpool features iconic collections like the Beatles collection, regional archaeology, and social and community history. From fascinating exhibitions to family-friendly displays, it’s an ideal spot for a relaxed day out during the festive break.
A trip to World Museum is a perfect festive break activity, with plenty to explore for all ages. You can wander through the fascinating Ancient Egypt gallery, get up close to marine life in the Aquarium, and experience the wonders of the universe in the Planetarium — all under one roof, and ideal for a winter day out between Christmas and New Year.
The Walker Art Gallery is a must-visit between Christmas and New Year, with two standout exhibitions to explore. Turner: Always Contemporary celebrates 250 years of J. M. W. Turner by pairing his iconic landscapes with modern and contemporary works, revealing how his legacy continues to inspire artists today. Alongside it, the John Moores Painting Prize 2025 showcases the very best of contemporary British painting, offering a vibrant snapshot of today’s most exciting artistic talent.
Experience the vibrant world of theatre, where there’s something for everyone. From dazzling musicals and captivating dramas to hilarious comedies and enchanting pantomimes, the region’s theatre scene offers unforgettable live performances. Enjoy the magic of talented actors, stunning productions, and the excitement of being part of the action. Whether you’re a seasoned theatre-goer or just seeking fun things to do for a night out, the Liverpool city region’s diverse theatre scene promises entertainment for all ages.
Everyman Theatre
The Everyman’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto 2025 brings a high-energy twist to Jack and the Beanstalk, combining fairy-tale fun with live music, cheeky humour, and outrageous costumes. Perfect for ages 3 to 103, it’s a musical adventure full of soaring solos, giant-sized laughs, and festive fun for the whole family.
The Atkinson
Beauty & the Beast brings festive magic to The Atkinson with a charming, laugh-filled pantomime packed with music, dazzling costumes and heartwarming storytelling. Perfect for all ages, this enchanting production from KD Theatre Productions is a sparkling family treat for the Christmas season. Running until 31 December.
Liverpool Empire
Catch Matilda The Musical at the Liverpool Empire this festive break — a magical, award-winning show based on the cherished novel by Roald Dahl, brought to life with songs by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. The story follows the brilliant, brave young girl Matilda — full of wit, imagination, and a little bit of magic — as she stands up to unfairness and finds her own path. It’s bursting with humour, heart, and high-energy musical numbers, making it a perfect festive outing for families or anyone young at heart. It’s on at the Empire until 4 January 2026.
Liverpool’s Royal Court
The Royal Court’s The Scouse Christmas Carol is a grown-up festive treat, packed with cheeky humour, live music, and a uniquely Liverpool twist on Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Expect outrageous jokes, a mischievous Scrooge, and plenty of festive chaos — the city’s biggest Christmas night out!
M&S Bank Arena
Experience the magic of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the M&S Bank Arena, starring Helen Flanagan as the Wicked Queen and a star-studded cast bringing the classic tale to life. Packed with live music, dazzling dance, stunning sets, and spectacular effects, this festive pantomime is a fun-filled adventure for the whole family.
Music
Future Yard’s Gig Panto Hoodstock ’25
Future Yard’s Gig Panto: Hoodstock ’25
Get ready for the first-ever Future Yard Gig Panto: Hoodstock ’25, an irreverent, gig-style festive adventure where Robin Hood must save live music from an AI-controlled industry. Running from 22–31 December, this alternative panto combines festive hijinks with a full live band playing hits from Talking Heads, The Zutons, CMAT, Fontaines D.C, Pulp, and classic Yuletide favourites — perfect for music lovers looking for a hilarious, high-energy night out.
Mersey Dub Club
Mersey Dub Club returns on 27 December 2025 for a night of pure soundsystem culture, bringing together Equity Hi-Fi and Sugar Shack Sound System under one roof. Expect an evening of roots, dub, rocksteady, reggae, and steppa, delivered on vinyl and digital, celebrating unity, good vibes, and Merseyside’s rich musical heritage — perfect for lovers of deep, immersive sound.
Walks
A winter walk is one of the best things to do after the hustle of Christmas, the crisp air and peaceful comfort of the outdoors offer a refreshing break. The city slows down, making it the perfect time for exploration without the usual bustle. Layer up, savour the brisk air, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the region’s beautiful parks and green areas for a truly serene experience this winter.
Albert Dock Art Trail
Join Tate Liverpool’s art-loving cat, Mildred, on a fun and creative adventure, on Mildred’s Albert Dock Art Trail. This free, family-friendly activity is perfect for children aged 7-11. Collect a free Art Trail booklet from Tate Liverpool + RIBA North at Mann Island, and follow the map to find six hidden artworks around the inner quay of the Royal Albert Dock. Along the way, children can create their own amazing art and solve word games by rearranging letters found near the artwork. It’s a wonderful way for families to explore the waterfront, get creative, and enjoy some quality time together.
Cinema
The Shining 45th Anniversary at FACT Liverpool
For cinema lovers, there are plenty of things to do in Liverpool City Region this festive season. Heading to the cinema during the holidays adds a touch of magic to the chilly air. There’s something uniquely special about the cosy warmth of the theatre, the scent of buttery popcorn, and the anticipation of immersing yourself in captivating stories on the big screen. Whether you’re in the mood for a holiday classic or a new release, the festive season offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy some cinematic escapism.
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Experience the thrill of Jurassic Park like never before at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this festive season. Between Christmas and New Year, audiences can enjoy the blockbuster classic projected in HD while the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs John Williams’ legendary score live. It’s an epic cinematic adventure — complete with prehistoric predators, breathtaking visuals, and heart-pounding music — perfect for a memorable winter outing.
FACT Picturehouse
At the Picturehouse at FACT you can watch a variety of films over the festive period including:
Shakespeare North Playhouse offers a brilliant festive cinema programme, including its family-friendly Wee Cinema Club, where children can enjoy free creative activities before screenings like The Legend of Ochi. Film fans can also catch a special showing of The End (2024) paired with a North West short film, making it a great spot for both magical family mornings and thought-provoking cinema experiences.
Keep an Eye Out for More Things to Do in Our What’s On Section
Looking for even more exciting activities? Be sure to check out our What’s On section for a full list of things to do across the Liverpool City Region. From festive events and live performances to unique exhibitions and hidden gems, there’s always something new and exciting happening.
On the left, Maisy, a white young woman with brown hair and glasses, smiling past the camera. She is wearing a pink and orange jumper with dungarees on top, sitting on a black manual wheelchair. On the right, Evan, a white young man with short brown curly hair, smiling to camera, wearing a black tshirt.
This week our Culture Radar guests are Maisy Gordon & Evan Byrne, Co-CEO’s of Tip Tray Theatre.
Looking forward to: We are really looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year in February. The celebrations are always so much fun and there’s loads of different events happening around the city.
Trivia: Tip Tray Theatre is now part of The Culture Network, so we would love to introduce ourselves! We’re a disabled-led, Knowsley based company supporting underrepresented and emerging artists through socially engaged theatre, development opportunities and creative activism. We make work that’s curious, political, and rooted in lived experience.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As the final leaves are falling off the trees and the nights draw in, the colourful lights are starting to go up and the Christmas songs are thawing. Winter in Liverpool is the place to be, with plenty of Christmas shows in Liverpool to sink your teeth into and get you feeling warm and fuzzy and ready to spread the Christmas cheer.
Whether you’re in the mood for a Rock ’n’ Roll panto, an eclectic cabaret or a Scouse take on the classic Christmas Carol, Liverpool has got it all! So grab your hot chocolates and your novelty reindeer horns and brave the weather to see some of Liverpool’s finest festive fables!
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk – Liverpool Everyman (Until 17 January ’26)
Liverpool Everyman are back with their annual panto, this year bringing you their take on the beloved fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk! With some new and some familiar faces, join the Everyman on their musical adventure as Jack battles the greedy giant to grab the gold and save the day. In a show that is part fairy tale, part concert (but 100% fun), this is one for all the family and is bound to get you in the mood for December’s festivities. A must-see addition to the Christmas shows in Liverpool calendar.
The Scouse Christmas Carol – Liverpool’s Royal Court (Until 24 January ’26)
If you thought Charles Dickens couldn’t be improved upon, think again! The creative team who brought you ‘Scouse Red Riding Hood’ last year is back, bringing you another Christmas classic with a distinctive Scouse twist. Barbara Marley is on the warpath to track down who bumped off her husband, and she’s got Ebeneezer Scrooge firmly in her sights. Will Scrooge learn his lesson before Christmas morning? Only one way to find out! The Royal Court pantos are for grownups only, making this one of the most unique Christmas shows in Liverpool for adults.
Royal Court Stocking Fillers – Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio (Until 3 January ’26)
Fancy something a little different this year? Join the Royal Court Studio as they showcase seven brand new ten-minute festive plays to get you in the wintery spirit. These short plays have been written by members of the Royal Court’s writing groups and each evening four talented actors will bring them to life before your eyes. With a mix of comedy and drama, there’s something for everyone!
Timestamp – Hope Street Theatre (4 – 6 December)
If you’re looking for a show set in December, but not wrapped in tinsel and glitter, look no further than the Hope Street Theatre and their show, Timestamp. Set in 1970s America, Kimmy has been hired to crack the code of time travel as her country is being put through their paces in the “time race”. But after tragedy strikes, her mission becomes more than just a job – will she be able to save her future?
Cinderella, Shakespeare North Playhouse (Until 10 January ’26)
Tia Larsen takes on the titular role of Cinderella in this classic fairytale story, with a very special Prescot twist! Helped by her fairy godmother Mandy, Cinderella tries to find her missing mum and win the heart of the handsome prince, in this captivating new adaptation by Nick Lane that brings Cinderella to Merseyside.
Packed with magical moments, your favourite songs and lots of laughter, this new production is the perfect show to warm your hearts in the festive season.
To Be Near a Shooting Star – Unity Theatre (6 – 8 December)
In collaboration with RAWD, Unity plays host to their sparkly, twinkly, candy cane-sweet story, To Be Near A Shooting Star, this Christmas. RAWD has spent over a decade co-creating joyful, inclusive spaces where disabled artists can thrive, and this show will not be one to miss. M + J are going on a quest to find somewhere they can rest. You can expect tinsel, triumph, and three not-so-wise kings as RAWD present their version of a classic.
Beauty & the Beast – The Atkinson (5 -31 December)
The whole of Liverpool is going panto crazy this year, and Southport is no different! At The Atkinson, join KD Theatre as they bring the much-loved fairy tale Beauty & the Beast to life. Will the Beast find love before the final petal falls? And will Belle be the one to break the curse and save the day? A timeless tale of love and transformation, this pantomime is filled with dazzling costumes, hilarious comedy, live music and enough surprises to rival even Santa Claus.
Scousers in America… At Christmas – Hope Street Theatre (11 – 12 December)
Liverpool and New York have always had close ties to one another, and in this festive situational comedy by Sam Jones-Arthur, the two join together once more in a story of romance, Christmas spirit and the perfect sprinkling of hilarity for Scousers In America. When Ste and Chrissy book their tickets for The Big Apple to visit the recently moved-out Zara, they find themselves dragged along to an “influencer” event where Ste meets Grace. Cue a whirlwind romance, a few revelations and a Christmas the gang won’t soon forget.
The Spare Rib: X-Rated Xmas Xtravaganza – Downstairs at the Everyman (12 December)
The Spare Rib Burlesque & Cabaret hosts regular shows across Liverpool with a focus on extravagant entertainment and inclusivity for all. This festive season, they’re inviting you to celebrate the holidays at their final show of the year, Downstairs at the Everyman. Expect classic burlesque alongside unconventional contemporary styles that are sure to heat up your December evening! A bold and brilliant option among the more adult-themed Christmas shows in Liverpool.
Sleep Can Wait! – Unity Theatre (12 – 23 December)
On a snowy winter’s night, with excitement in the air and sleep nowhere to be found, three children open a magical book and are whisked away on adventures far from the comfort of their bedroom. In partnership with Tmesis Theatre, Unity brings you this heart-warming, high-energy journey through myths, legends and imagination in Sleep Can Wait. Known for their incredible physical theatre, Tmesis promises lots of movement and minimal text – making this show neurodiverse-friendly and perfect for all ages.
“Where other bands have toured Bowie’s songs extensively since his passing, these songs haven’t been performed the way they were meant to be. The D.A.M. Trilogy remains rock and roll’s best kept secret”.
Carlos Alomar and George Murray, who together with the late drummer Dennis Davis, formed the rhythm section on the celebrated ‘Berlin Trilogy’ of David Bowie albums are on tour for the first time since 1979. Davis, Alomar and Murray, as The D.A.M. Trilogy, played a crucial role in shaping Bowie’s music. Alomar was with Bowie from ‘Fame’, through the Berlin trilogy of albums, up to ‘Reality’ in 2003,
They are celebrating the three iconic albums ‘Low’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Lodger’, cut in Berlin in the 1970so, and are using the tour to commemorate the lives and music of Dennis Davis and David Bowie.
The tour covers 16 dates, and started, fittingly, in Berlin on November 7th and finishes in Dublin on December 1st.
Alomar. the son of a Puerto Rican minister who grew up in New York, was a teenage guitar prodigy who joined the house band at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre and became their youngest ever guitarist at 17. He played with legends such as James Brown and soon became a go-to session guitarist for RCA studios in New York. It was at RCA that Alomar met Bowie in 1974 and worked with Bowie on the Young American sessions. He co-wrote Bowie’s ‘Fame’, with Bowie and John Lennon, and worked with Bowie from ‘Young Americans’ through the Berlin Trilogy up to2003 on ‘Reality’. He was recruited by Bowie for the ‘Diamond Dogs’ tour and his ability to play R&B, Philly soul, hard rock and ambient music made him invaluable to Bowie because he could change with Bowie’s chameleon’-like moves from one musical genre to another.
Dennis Davis played on ten Bowie albums, including six successive studio albums, and George Murray was with Bowie for 5 years. The trio’s final performance with Bowie was on Saturday Night Live in 1979.
The D.A.M. Trilogy also backed Iggy Pop during the recording of ‘The Idiot’ in Berlin.
Alomar was last seen on these shores in ‘The Meaning of Funk’ documentary on BBC TV this year and played Liverpool for the first time since he appeared at the David Bowie Convention in 2024.
The set list includes blockbuster performances of crowd pleasers like ‘Heroes’, ‘Ashes to Ashes’, ‘Boys Keep Swinging’. ‘D.J.’, ‘Golden Years’, ‘Sound and Vision’, and ‘Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)’, as well as other lesser-known tracks like ‘Red Money’ and ‘the Secret Life of Arabia’.
From the opening number ‘Joe the Lion’ the band. with singer and charismatic lead singer Cunio, prowling and prancing around the stage in his impossibly high stiletto boots, and Kevin Armstrong supplying blistering lead guitar, had the audience pinned back with the power of the performance. They love to play Liverpool. The band, and their predominantly scouse crew, had been together for a month of rehearsal in Berlin before the first gig earlier this month, and the tightness of the performance testifies to the that.
From the opener to the final song,’ Scream Like a Baby’, the band wowed the crowd and had the audience dancing in the aisles until the final notes rang out.
Focused around sustainability, Future Yard has never just been a grassroots music venue – it’s a blue print of what the music industry could look like in a climate-conscious world.
On 20 November 2025, Future Yard hosted POP3, its third annual climate conference. A full day gathering, exploring the powerful role of the creative sector in driving environmental justice. The event brings together artists, venue operators, activists and academics from across the globe to bring meaning behind the climate cause.
Future Yard: Redefining What a Sustainable Music Venue Can Be
Based on Argyle Street, Future Yard is a community-focused, non-profit venue. Since fully opening in 2021, the 280-capacity space has become a hub for emerging artists, social change, and sustainable innovation. Most recently, the team has doubled down on its commitment to community-centred work and a love for the natural world. Sustainability remains central to its mission: Future Yard operates on a “triple bottom line” model, measuring success socially, environmentally, and financially. In partnership with Ecotricity Business, the venue has developed a Sustainability Roadmap that charts a route to operational net zero by 2030 and full net zero by 2035.
In a recent interview with Ecotricity, Future Yard’s sustainability manager, James Gillaspy, reflects on how the venue “reimagines the role of a live music space within its community” — not just as a venue, but as a locus for climate leadership.
Gillaspy explains since switching to Ecotricty’s 100% renewable electricity supply, Future Yard has cut a large proportion of its operational emissions – emphasising their biggest CO2 impact comes from audience travel. Future Yard is tackling this head on by promoting sustainable travel and partnering with Merseyrail to offer specific free return travel included in their Sustainability Travel Month.
Inside POP3: Future Yard’s Climate Conference for the Creative Sector
POP3 is Future Yards flagship climate event, brought to life in partnership with Ecotricity Business. This isn’t just a conference – it’s a day of debate, networking and original hands-on ideas for creative conversations.
POP3 is intentionally aligned with the UN’s Conference of the Parties (COP), where major moments of negotiations around emissions and climate finance are explored internationally. Future Yard positions itself as a grassroots counterpart to more traditional gatherings. The conference is free to attend, making it accessible to a diverse audience.
Not only did Future Yard use POP3 to launch their updated sustainability roadmap, showcasing its progress while setting new goals to achieve. They used the event to host an array of activities from talks to screenings to workshops.
Beginning with the Keynote address: Canadian musician and activist Luke Wallace opens the day, bringing his perspectives as an artist deeply engaged in environmental change. Using musical aspects his songs really spoke to the idea of collective belonging.
Next up on the agenda was the Sustainability Panel led by Ecotricity. This critical conversation involved discussions about energy, transport and food – three of the largest sources of carbon.
This was followed by The Future of the Merseyside Coast: In partnership with the National Oceanography Centre, this session reimagined the Merseyside coast in the face of climate change, imagining abstract ways to save our coastal habitats.
After lunch the next panel discussion was ‘Venues As A Centre For Change’. Hosted by EarthSonic, this discussion explores how grassroots spaces can become engines of social and environmental transformation. Specifically making us think about what shared values bring people together and the disconnect that lies between unshared values.
Following this was the Immersive Imagine Futures Workshop. Facilitator and cinema curator Bruno Castro presented the board game “Sustainability in the Arts” that made sustainability strategy creative, participatory and fun.
The day concluded with the film screening TAKKUUK. Inspired by their journey to Greenland with EarthSonic, UK electronic act BICEP has teamed up with seven indigenous arctic artists, from Greenlandic rappers to Inuit throat singers. This screening was a groundbreaking body of work, pulling together various cultures and media, it tore down the walls of social difference to emphasise our global climate crisis.
The Impact of POP3: Grassroots Leadership in the Climate Crisis
In Birkenhead and the wider Liverpool City Region, the conference emphasises how grassroots events can lead by example. Future Yard’s model is not only socially rooted but also deeply practical.
Leading the way to our sustainable future, Future Yard has launched the ‘Live Events Energy Scheme’, a collaboration with Ecotricity, as part of their mission to decarbonise their industry. The scheme allows access to the same high-quality renewable energy solutions as the industry giants, positioning Future Yard as the sustainable leader in the hopes to increase collective action to accelerate sustainability across the live events landscape.
Future Yard’s intent to publicly share their net zero roadmap, gathering experts and hosts inspiring conversations, sends a powerful signal: the climate crisis is not just an existential threat but a call to reimagine our way of life. For Birkenhead, that reimagining is happening now. In real time, with real people, making a real impact.
This week’s Culture Radar guest is Ria Bagley,Membership and Systems Coordinator at The Culture Network LCR.
Loved: I’ve loved Remember Nature at FACT, where I performed alongside Bernadette McBride, Tom Doubtfire, and Paul Harfleet. I brought a setup full of tech to weave together sounds of the past and present, and even let my mushroom and plant choir voice a speculative post-human future. FACT has always felt like a place where you can think differently, and performing within that shifting environment with such an open-minded audience reshaped my own approach which felt less like performing at something and more like performing with it, in conversation with the space. The Moi Bakeshop at FACT deserves a shout out for their excellent brunch offerings!
Looking forward to: I’m really looking forward to seeing the Toxteth: The Harlem of Europe exhibition at the Victoria Gallery & Museum. Toxteth is too often framed through the lens of the riots, but for me it’s one of the most vibrant, characterful and resilient places I’ve ever known, and the kind of neighbourhood that deserves to be celebrated.
Trivia: I may think I’m a punk, but I have an Internal Audit Practitioner designation and IIA Certificate in Audit and Business Risk \m/.
This week’s Culture Radar guest is Unity Theatre’sMarketing & Digital Lead, Emily Maguire.
Loved: Having Homotopia Festival back at Unity— Liverpool’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ arts festival came back with a bang this month. It was so fun to work on the various events they held at Unity, with a particular shout out to An Evening With Dross – everyone was taken aback with the stunning visuals that brought Unity One to life.
Looking forward to: I can’t wait for Unity Theatre’s Christmas Cabaret, its quickly becoming one of my favourite festive events we have on at Unity. Expect anarchic hilarity, comedy, acrobatics, puppetry and standout performances from Velma Von BonBon, Katy Anne Bellis, Caustic Widows, and Teatro Pomodoro and more…
Trivia: This year will be the first time in 7 years Unity has created an in-house Christmas production (Sleep Can Wait!). I can’t wait to see families in our space enjoying the festivities!
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