Event type: Festival

Liverpool Rising Against Racism

LIVERPOOL RISING AGAINST RACISM

It’s time to rise again!

Come together for an unforgettable night of music and spoken word, celebrating diversity and combating racism in one of Liverpool’s most iconic venues.

Hip-hop legend Skinnyman, who returns to the city in a show of solidarity, will be joined by a blistering line-up of Liverpool talent, including rapper Blue Saint, Yemeni Scouse poet Amina Atiq, Roy – a storyteller like no other – and the rising stars Sam Millne & the Virants, with more exciting names to be announced.

Expect big beats and rhymes, unforgettable performances, and a vibe that’ll make you wish the night lasted forever. In the proud tradition of Rock Against Racism, this epic night will demonstrate unity in the face of those that seek to divide us and make a powerful statement that Liverpool is proudly multicultural and a city of sanctuary.

The night will kick off with a spectacular outdoor performance by the Batala drummers at the North Entrance to the hall.

This event is presented in partnership by Love Music Hate Racism, Writing on the Wall, and Liverpool City Hall and is generously supported by the trade union movement.

Skinnyman: is a British hip-hop artist renowned for his incisive lyrics and storytelling. He gained prominence through rap battles and collaborations with artists like Wiley and Shystie. His 2004 album, Council Estate of Mind, was hailed by The Face magazine as “a vital bulletin from the frontline.” Notably, he once defeated Eminem in a London rap battle and has supported The Streets at Brixton Academy. His return to Liverpool has been met with widespread acclaim.

PJ Smith – ‘Roy’: is a Liverpool-born writer, spoken-word performer, and recovery worker. His debut collection, Algorithm Party (Rough Trade Books, 2020), was met with critical acclaim – it’s first print run sold out in just 40 minutes. He has appeared on BBC 6 Music and opened for The Beautiful South and The Farm. Through his candid exploration of Liverpool life, addiction, anxiety, and relationships, Roy continues to resonate with audiences, offering sharp, insightful perspectives on the complexities of life in Liverpool and beyond.

Amina Atiq is a Yemeni-Scouse poet, performance artist, and community activist. Recognized as one of the “100 Inspirational Women of Merseyside,” she has been featured by the BBC and TEDx. Her work addresses themes like diaspora and Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, aiming to amplify marginalized voices through poetry, documentaries, and community engagement. She has published extensively in platforms such as Cordite Poetry Review.

Blue Saint (Daniel Sebuyange) is a Congolese British rapper, singer-songwriter, spoken-word poet, and activist. A former member of Writing on the Wall’s Liverpool Young Writers, he has performed alongside artists like Ed Sheeran and Akala. His EP series, Enter Mynd, received support from outlets such as GetIntoThis and Bido Lito! Magazine. He is also the founder of MerseyMusic.co.uk, promoting grassroots music in Liverpool.

Sam Millne & the Virants are a dynamic band known for their energetic performances and genre-blending sound. Fronted by singer-songwriter Sam Millne, their music ranges from upbeat indie rock to introspective, lyrically rich tracks. Hailing from Cumbria and Liverpool, Millne brings a storytelling approach to songwriting, with breakout songs like Living in Limbo and Italy gaining attention. Beyond music, Millne is a journalist and founder of MerseyMusic.co.uk, supporting grassroots artists in the region. With a growing fanbase and a reputation for electrifying live shows, Sam Millne & the Virants continue to make waves in the UK music scene.

The Singh Twins: Slaves to Fashion

It’s a proud moment for WoW to host the Liverpool launch of The Singh Twins‘ latest book, Slaves of Fashion: Art of the Singh Twins – Personal Reflections on Hidden Stories of Empire, Colonialism, and Their Legacies (Manchester University Press, 2025).

This richly illustrated, artist-designed book showcases ‘Slaves of Fashion’, an award-winning series of portrait-based allegorical and narrative works by contemporary British artists The Singh Twins. ‘Slaves of Fashion’ explores diverse histories and legacies of empire and colonialism through the history of Indian textiles. It is a global story of conflict, conquest, exploitation, slavery, intercultural exchange, and changing fashion.

The series connects these themes to the trade in luxury goods during an age of maritime exploration, colonisation, and industrialisation—all driven by the commercial interests of competing and expanding European imperial powers, from the fifteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. The book includes detailed interpretations of the artworks, representing The Singh Twins’ personal reflections on this story and its relevance to topical debates around racism, cultural ownership, decolonisation, ethical trade, and consumerism. It also offers insight into the making of the artworks, which draw on academic research, historical archives, and museum collections.

The Singh Twins will discuss their work and this incredible publication, illustrated with images from the ‘Slaves of Fashion’ series, and will be signing copies of Slaves of Fashion.

Slaves of Fashion has been produced with the generous support of Sikhlens, USA. Sikhlens is a non-profit organisation based in California that is dedicated to promoting Sikh history, heritage and culture across the globe through diverse educational and arts initiatives, and grants.

The Singh Twins are internationally recognised contemporary British artists, known for their highly detailed narrative, symbolic, and eclectic style, combining hand-painted and digital techniques. Through their work, which they describe as Past-Modern, they comment on modern-day society, politics, and culture, challenge Eurocentrism in the art world, and demonstrate the contemporary relevance of history and tradition. They have each received many awards, including being made Honorary Citizens of Liverpool in 2009.

Addressing Palestine

Acclaimed poet Anthony Anaxagorou, and writer and performer lisa luxx, gather for an evening of poetry, discussion, and critical engagement with the ongoing crisis in Palestine.

In keeping with Writing on the Wall’s commitment to freedom, social justice, equality, and universal human rights, the event seeks to amplify marginalised voices while fostering deeper understanding and solidarity. Through powerful literary expression and lived testimony, the speakers will explore the cultural, political, and humanitarian dimensions of the Palestinian experience. This gathering offers a space for reflection, unity, and resistance, and affirms the call for a just and peaceful resolution that upholds the rights and dignity of all people in the region.

Anthony Anaxagorou is a British-born Cypriot poet, writer, and publisher. His books include How To Write It (2020), After the Formalities (2019), shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize, and Heritage Aesthetics (2022), which won the RSL Ondaatje Prize. He is the artistic director of Out-Spoken, a poetry and music night at London’s Southbank Centre, and publisher of Out-Spoken Press. He also edits Propel Magazine, which features emerging poets, and curates WriteBack, a British Library literary series. During the lockdown, he was a Writer in Residence for WoW’s online centre, The Writer’s Bloc. In recognition of his contributions to literature, he was made an honorary fellow at the University of Roehampton in 2019 and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023.

lisa luxx is a writer, poet, and performer known for her powerful explorations of identity, feminism, and activism. Her work has been featured on BBC Radio 4, in The Guardian, and at international literary festivals. As a spoken word artist, she has performed across the UK and beyond, using poetry as a tool for social change.

Proceeds will be donated to MAP (Medical Aid for Palestine).

Liverpool and the Un-Making of Britain

Join the team for an insightful conversation as Sam Wetherell discusses his critically acclaimed work Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain, a profound exploration of the city’s role in shaping the narrative of modern Britain. Sam will be interviewed by Janaya Pickett in the magnificent Concert Room of St George’s Hall, Liverpool, as part of the Writing on the Wall Festival 2025.

Expect an engaging dialogue that delves deep into themes of history, identity, and the radical rethinking of Britain’s story, all set against the backdrop of one of the most storied cities in the UK. This event promises to be a thought-provoking evening for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Liverpool’s past and its far-reaching impact on the present.

This is an unmissable event for lovers of history, literature, and the evolution of British identity. Book your tickets now and join us for a conversation that will challenge and inspire.

From Spellow to Southport… with Love

MICHAEL ROSEN, JORDAN STEPHENS AND JACKIE KAY

From Spellow to Southport…with Love is a special family-friendly event featuring three of the UK’s most celebrated poets and performers—Michael Rosen, Jackie Kay, and Jordan Stephens. This day of creativity, storytelling, and poetry aims to promote unity, diversity, and resilience.

The tragic murders of young girls in Southport and the racist riots that followed, resulting in major fire damage to Spellow Library, deeply affected communities across the region. While the library may be repaired, the community still needs healing.

Held at the iconic Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park, this one-off event will include powerful performances, storytelling, and creative activities for all ages. Attendees can write messages of love and unity on postcards and connect with others in their community.

Writing on the Wall, along with Rosen, Kay, and Stephens, believe in the power of creativity to inspire and unite. This event offers a chance to celebrate diversity and come together in a spirit of hope and solidarity.

About the Artists

Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s most beloved children’s poets and authors. Known for classics like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, he has captivated generations with his humor, storytelling, and passion for language. A former BBC Radio 4 presenter and Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, he continues to champion literacy and creativity.

Jordan Stephens, best known as one half of Rizzle Kicks, is a writer, performer, and mental health advocate. His campaign #IAMWHOLE raised awareness of mental health issues, reaching over 120 million people. As a children’s author, his book The Missing Piece was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Prize.

Jackie Kay was born in Edinburgh. A poet, novelist and writer of short stories, she has enjoyed great acclaim for her work for both adults and children; and her novel, Trumpet, won the Guardian Fiction Prize. From 2016-21 she was the third modern Makar, the National Poet for Scotland. She is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Salford.

In challenging times, this event is a space to celebrate what makes our communities strong. Let’s come together and send love from Spellow to Southport.

Absurdageddon: Armando Iannucci

When politics feels like parody, what role does satire have left to play?

WoWFEST welcomes Armando Iannucci, a towering figure of British storytelling and satire, to seek answers to the question — can laughter still challenge authority, expose hypocrisy, and spark change — or has the joke already worn thin?

Armando Iannucci, creator of iconic TV and film, including The Thick of It, Veep, In the Loop, and The Death of Stalin, has spent decades turning political dysfunction into brutal, brilliant comedy. With a signature blend of intelligence and irreverence, Iannucci has held a mirror to power, exposing its absurdities with scalpel-sharp precision.

Alongside plenty of laughter, there will be a serious reckoning with the role of comedy within a collapsing political landscape. From the rise of populism to the spread of disinformation, from protest movements to public apathy, satire’s evolving role will come under scrutiny: as resistance, critique, catharsis, and maybe even survival.

This isn’t just for laughs, it’s a deep, timely, dive into the fault lines of truth, power, and the stories we tell to make sense of them.

This event is presented in partnership by Writing on the Wall and the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Irvine Welsh: Resolution

To kick off the 25th anniversary celebrations with a massive boot up the proverbial, we’re delighted to bring you Irvine Welsh, who paid WoW the greatest compliment, stating, ‘There isn’t another writing festival in England as good as Writing on the Wall.’

Famed for his iconic novels, not least of all the groundbreaking Trainspotting, Irvine joins us to discuss Resolution, the third of his novels featuring Ray Lennox. A night with Irvine Welsh is always fun, a bit gritty, entertaining, and always gets you thinking. In Resolution, Welsh drags Ray Lennox back into the murky world he’s been desperate to escape. A series of violent attacks and disappearances force him to ask what he must sacrifice to expose the truth. Join us in welcoming back one of our earliest and most favourite WoW guests, Irvine Welsh, for the chance to get inside the mind of the man who created such iconic characters as Renton, Sick Boy, and Spud.

Irvine Welsh was born and raised in Edinburgh. His debut novel Trainspotting sold over one million copies in the UK and was adapted into an era-defining film. He has written thirteen further novels, including Ecstasy, Glue, Porno, Filth, Marabou Stork Nightmares, The Acid House, If You Liked School, You’ll Love Work, The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs, Reheated Cabbage, and Crime, which has been turned into a TV series, the number one bestseller Dead Men’s Trousers, four books of shorter fiction, and numerous plays and screenplays.

WoW’s 25th Birthday Party with Frank...

Writing on the Wall’s 25th Birthday Party with Special Guest Frank Cottrell Boyce

Join Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell Boyce and a host of incredible writers, poets and creatives as we celebrate WoW’s 25th anniversary in the beautiful surroundings of Sefton Park Palm House. The afternoon will be packed with performances, creative activities and fun for all the family. Over the last 25 years Writing on the Wall have worked with thousands of children and young people. Our Young Writers have performed with some of the UK’s leading poets and recording artists, establishing their own successful careers. We’ve travelled to different worlds and time zones in our time machine, our superheroes have battled with book worms and our story tellers have shared diverse stories for a diverse world. At our 25th birthday party we invite your imagination to fly and your creativity sparkle. And of course… what’s a birthday without CAKE?

All welcome.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is an award-winning British screenwriter and children’s author, born in 1959 in Merseyside. He rose to prominence writing screenplays for films like 24 Hour Party People and Millions, the latter of which he also adapted into his debut novel, winning the Carnegie Medal. He has since written several acclaimed children’s books, including Cosmic, Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, and The Wonder Brothers (2023). In 2024, he was named the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, launching a national campaign to promote children’s access to books. He lives near Liverpool and is a professor at Liverpool Hope University.

Phil Scraton: Public Inquiries

Bearing Witness to the ‘Pain of Others’; Public Inquiries, Independent Panels, Holding Institutions to Account – Phil Scraton
‘What to do with such knowledge of faraway suffering? … it seems normal for people to [ignore] the ordeals of others. We don’t get it. We truly can’t imagine how dreadful, how terrifying, and how normal it becomes. Can’t understand, can’t imagine.’ (Susan Sontag, 2002)

From Jimmy Kelly’s death in Huyton Police Station in 1979 to current research into babies’ deaths and disappearances from Ireland’s mother and baby institutions, Phil Scraton’s work has spanned five decades, exposing institutional abuses of power. His research with families and survivors confronts authoritarianism, challenges official narratives, and highlights the failures of state justice. He argues that critical researchers and human rights lawyers have a responsibility to uncover the truth—the foundation of hope, resistance, and change.

Phil Scraton is Professor Emeritus at Queen’s University Belfast, with visiting professorships in Sydney, Auckland, and Amherst. His research focuses on contested deaths, state accountability, incarceration, and children’s rights. His widely published work includes Hillsborough: The Truth, Power, Conflict and Criminalisation, and The Violence of Incarceration. He led the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s research team and was a consultant for the BAFTA-winning ESPN/BBC documentary Hillsborough. In recognition of his work on Hillsborough, Phil was awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool. He refused an OBE. Phil is a great friend and supporter of Wow, and we look forward to welcoming back for 2025.

In partnership with: Libraries, Museums and Galleries University of Liverpool.

Liverpool Biennial 2025 – BEDROC...

The 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial, titled ‘BEDROCK’, will take place 7 June – 14 September 2025, curated by Marie-Anne McQuay.

The theme draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the beliefs which underpin the city. It is inspired by the sandstone which spans the city region and is found in its distinctive architecture. ‘BEDROCK’ also acts as a metaphor for the social foundations of Liverpool and the people, places and values that ground all of us. 30 artists and collectives will respond to the theme of the 13th edition.

Liverpool Biennial is the UK’s largest free festival of contemporary visual art. Taking place in historic buildings, unexpected spaces and art galleries, the Biennial has been transforming the city through art for over two decades. A dynamic programme of free exhibitions, performances, screenings, community and learning activities and fringe events unfolds over 14 weeks, shining a light on the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

‘BEDROCK’ draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the beliefs which underpin the city. It is inspired by the sandstone which spans the city region and is found in its distinctive architecture. ‘BEDROCK’ also acts as a metaphor for the unique social foundations of Liverpool, haunted by empire, and the people, places and values that ground us.

Taking over historic buildings, unexpected spaces and art galleries, Liverpool Biennial – the UK’s largest free festival of contemporary visual art – has been transforming the city through art for over two decades. A dynamic programme of free exhibitions, performances, community and learning activities, and fringe events unfolds over 14 weeks, shining a light on the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

New venues and sites announced today (25 March 2025) for the 13th edition include 20 Jordan Street located in the city’s Baltic Triangle, Pine Court, the heritage site of Pine Court Housing Association in the heart of Chinatown, and The Black-E, Liverpool’s pioneering arts and community centre, which join venues such as Bluecoat, FACT Liverpool, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Central Library, Open Eye Gallery, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North and Walker Art Gallery.

A series of outdoor works are set to be installed at sites across the city including Liverpool ONE, Mann Island, St John’s Gardens and the grounds of The Oratory at Liverpool Cathedral.

Click here to register for Liverpool Biennial 2025 Previews – Registration is open until 30 May.

The participating artists for Liverpool Biennial 2025 are:

Alice Rekab (Ireland/Sierra Leone); Amber Akaunu (UK/Nigeria); Amy Claire Mills (Australia); Ana Navas (Venezuela/Ecuador/Netherlands); Anna Gonzalez Noguchi (Spain/Japan/UK); Antonio Jose Guzman & Iva Jankovic (Netherlands/Panama/Serbia); Cevdet Erek (Turkey); ChihChung Chang 張致中(Taiwan/Netherlands); Christine Sun Kim (USA); DARCH (India/Somaliland/Wales); Dawit L. Petros (Eritrea/Canada/USA); Elizabeth Price (UK); Fred Wilson (USA); Hadassa Ngamba (Democratic Republic of the Congo/Belgium); Imayna Caceres (Peru/Austria); Isabel Nolan (Ireland); Jennifer Tee (Netherlands); Kara Chin (UK/Singapore); Karen Tam 譚嘉文(Canada); Katarzyna Perlak (Poland/UK); Leasho Johnson (USA/Jamaica); Linda Lamignan (Nigeria/Norway); Maria Loizidou (Cyprus); Mounira Al Solh (Lebanon); Nandan Ghiya (India); Nour Bishouty (Lebanon/Jordan/Palestine/Canada); Odur Ronald (Uganda); Petros Moris (Greece); Sheila Hicks (France/USA); Widline Cadet (Haiti/USA).

Liverpool Biennial 2025 Programme

Outdoor Works

Celebrating Liverpool’s iconic architecture and public spaces, a series of newly commissioned outdoor artworks will be installed at sites across the city centre.

Alice Rekab presents a multi-city billboard project in Liverpool and Edinburgh, in partnership with EAF25 (Edinburgh Art Festival). In Liverpool, the work is co-created with students from The City of Liverpool College through a series of workshops. Displayed throughout Liverpool ONE, these collaborative works explore experiences of race, migration and belonging. Meanwhile at Bluecoat, the artist presents a multi-layered gallery installation titled ‘Bunchlann/Buncharriag’ (Irish Gaelic for ‘Origin Family’ or ‘Bedrock’).

Anna Gonzalez-Noguchi presents a modular sculpture at Mann Island, inspired by the historical import of ‘foreign’ plants into Liverpool. The three towers, constructed out of metal and reflective materials, incorporate seating, spinning elements and tubular structures engraved with records of the city’s botanical collections.

Isabel Nolan presents a steel and concrete sculpture in St John’s Gardens, supported by Art Fund. The design is inspired by a drawing of a stained-glass window held in the St Nicholas Pro-Cathedral archive and the leadwork in the windows of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral’s Lutyens Crypt. Painting and textiles by the artist are also shown at the Walker Art Gallery.

A selection from Petros Moris’ ‘ALONE’ series of mosaic sculptures referencing an abandoned playground and his parent’s own mosaic studio, will be exhibited in the grounds of The Oratory at Liverpool Cathedral, as well as at Bluecoat and Walker Art Gallery.

Further works will be exhibited across the city on streets, shop fronts, hoardings and other unexpected places:

Anna Gonzalez-Noguchi – Eurochemist, Berry Street

ChihChung Chang 張致中 – Chinatown

Kara Chin – Berry Street

Odur Ronald – SEVENSTORE, Jamaica Street