Event type: Concert

Mary Coughlan is often described as the greatest female vocalist that Ireland has ever produced, standing alongside some of the world’s most iconic jazz singers.

She is unique in blending whisky-blurred, smoke-seared, husky notes with the laconic wit of Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee. She draws the line of deep, down and dirty blues singers back to Bessie Smith with the sardonic, bitter-sweet defiance and despair of Edith Piaf. Yet Mary Coughlan delivers it all in a delicious and unapologetic Irish drawl: sceptical, rueful, mournful and melting and ardent for love.

Mary Coughlan is one of our greatest singers because over 40 years she has made the most grown-up, uncompromising, wholly personal yet utterly universal music on either side of the Atlantic about what goes on between men and women.

After their hugely successful Christmas Concert, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) Big Band and Singers are back for a celebration of jazz and swing classics.

Over 20 iconic songs from across the ages including: Frank Sinatra’s New York New York, Ella Fitzgerald’s Black Coffee, Michael Bublé’s Sway, Paul Anka’s Eye of the Tiger and jazz from Louis Jordan, and Quincy Jones.

Due to unforseen circumstances, unfortunately the advertised Saltlines show has been changed, folk-roots supergroup The Gigspanner Big Band will now play a special solo show at The Tung Auditorium.

The band features some of the biggest names on the folk scene, playing songs from their new album Turnstone.

Alongside Ligeti’s musical puzzles and Nielsen’s captivating Wind Quintet, the Ormonde Ensemble shine a spotlight on incredible works by female composers and those from underrepresented backgrounds. They’ll perform some exciting new arrangements and Isa Gibbs’ Dreamery – a musical journey through a factory where dreams are made…

Emerging onto the UK folk scene with her debut album, Dwelling by the Weir, Ellie explored folklore and stories of her hometown, Warwick, through ecological, sociological, and personal themes (‘full of delicacy, precision, and gentle delight’, The Guardian). It connected with wider audiences and secured her a place on the UK touring circuit. After the release of her celebrated album, Ellie has continued to firmly root herself in the songwriting scene.

Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs. In constant demand and having played just about every festival and two-bit, jibe-arsed dive in Christendom, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live, band.

This is a standing event.If you have any access needs, please contact the Box Office on 0151 709 3789.

There’s rhythm in the air, and it’s not just confined to Roberto Sierra’s toe-tapping Fandangos.

It’s the driving force behind the nostalgic melodies of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances – the sound of a Russian composer stranded in Centerport, New York, and amid the freeways and palm trees of 1940s California. In between, Pablo Ferrández summons up the quiet power and deep poetry of Elgar’s hugely popular Cello Concerto. “A star in the making” says one critic: we say he’s already up there!

Gnoss’ signature sound is a rich tapestry of acoustic layers; outstanding musicianship, deep traditional roots and contemporary compositional flair combine to create songs and tunes brimming with character.