Event type: Festival

Liverpool Against Racism Music Day

Some of the city’s best-known artists and DJs are set to appear in a fab Music Day to launch the new Liverpool Against Racism (LAR) festival.

The LAR Music Day on Sunday 24 April is part of a week-long series of cultural events championed by Mayor Joanne Anderson and is being held to promote conversations around progressive and impactful anti-racist practice.

It’s guaranteed to get Liverpool talking – and dancing!

Over 50 artists will be performing live in Baltic Triangle venues Camp & Furnace, District and 24 Kitchen Street. So if you’re up for a great day out why not grab yourself a ticket.

Tickets Available Now. £5 + fees per venue.

Caribbean Music Festival – Launc...

Caribbean Music Festival hosts its official launch party with international DJ’s from the Caribbean ready to set the summer vibes for you with the best of Reggae, Soca, Dancehall and more.

The launch party is held at Melodic Bar, with sets from DJ Icebergg and DJ Rockshun plus a special guest DJ.

The event is held Melodic Bar, Liverpool, L3 8HB. Doors open 3pm and admission is free.

A Lovely Poetry Festival

This summer, A Lovely Word in association with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse bring a brand new poetry festival to the city for everyone!

At the Everyman Theatre from 1 – 9 July, it will celebrate writing, different voices and showcase the wonderful creative community of Liverpool. Liverpool is a poetry city. A Lovely Poetry Festival celebrates this, uniting, inspiring and galvanising the spoken word scene and creativity of the city through a week of headline poetry events, industry talks, a poetry slam, radio poetry competitions and a poetry factory. The festival will also include working with local poets such as Lyndsay Price, Gerry Clarkson and Olive Yoxall, as well as A Lovely Word artist-in-residence Amina Atiq. Together with nationally recognised “Poet Factory” Beth Calverley, the festival will gather and build a body of poetry on the ground floor of the Everyman, as local residents and visitors are encouraged to simply walk up and write a poem. A Lovely Poetry Festival 2022 Lineup Friday 1 July – Bistro A Lovely Poetry Slam Come and watch the first Poetry Slam from A Lovely Word, with £300 up for grabs, expect the best of Merseyside up and coming poetry talent, all with just 3 minutes on the mic! Saturday 2 July 2pm – 4pm – Amina Atiq Workshop – Ev1 Artist-in-Residence Amina Atiq leads a fab performance workshop. Tuesday 5 July 10am-7pm – The Poetry Factory! – Street Café 7.30pm – Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen – Main Stage The poetry factory opens, for everyone to come along and be able to write a poem, and display it in the street café! The sensational Hollie and Michael take it away with a rip roaring set in the evening. Wednesday 6 July 10am-7pm – The Poetry Factory! – Street Café 6.30pm – Panel Discussion: Publishing Poetry – Bistro Write poems in the day, and come and learn all about the publishing industry in the evening, with expert panelists who know their stuff. Thursday 7 July 10am-7pm – The Poetry Factory! – Street Café 5.30pm – 7pm – Workshop with Gerry & Lyndsay – Ev1 7.30pm – Cheeky Poetry Bingo – Bistro More poetry writing for all, with Beth Calverley’s Poetry Machine arriving to generate poems for eagerly awaiting ‘customers’. Learn all about writing and performing with Lyndsay and Gerry, and then in the evening settle down to some cheeky bingo, with all sorts of whacky poetry games and prizes. Friday 8 July 10am-7pm – The Poetry Factory! – Street Café 5.30pm – 7pm – Workshop with Queer Bodies – Ev1 7.30pm – Lemn Sissay: My Name Is Why – Main Stage Following more poetry writing in the café, there’s a workshop with famous QueerBodies and a headline slot by 2012 Olympic Poet Laurette Lemn Sissay with a fab array of local support. Saturday 9 July 10am-7pm – The Poetry Factory! – Street Café 11am – 12am – Family Poetry Workshop – Bistro 11am – 4.30pm – Young Person’s Poetry School – Ev1 3pm – Liverpool Arab Arts Festival x A Lovely Word – Bistro (details TBA) 7.30pm – Nymphs & Thugs: LIVEwire – Main Stage A busy, day with loads of workshops for young people taking over, a collab events with LAAF, and settle in for an evening of 4 mindblowing poets plus music, presented by record label Nymphs & Thugs.

bluedot Festival

Björk, Groove Armada, Mogwai, Metronomy and Hannah Peel to headline bluedot 2022.

Award-winning festival reveals music, science and culture line-up featuring a UK Festival Exclusive from Björk Orchestral.

bluedot has revealed the first wave of artists for this year with Björk, Groove Armada and Mogwai headlining the fifth instalment of the award-winning music, science and culture event at Cheshire’s iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory taking place 21–24 July 2022. One of the most influential and groundbreaking musicians of all time, Björk‘s festival exclusive set will close bluedot with a uniquely commissioned performance alongside Manchester’s famed Halle Orchestra featuring incredible bespoke projections on the Lovell Telescope. This will be the first-time audiences at bluedot have seen the dish of the 76-metre-wide Lovell Telescope surface transformed into a gigantic digital artwork.

Confirmed for Friday night is one of the planet’s best-loved dance acts, Groove Armada. With a career spanning more than 20 years of chart-topping, their live show will open bluedot 2022’s Friday night with a party, on what is the band’s final live tour.

Legendary Scottish post-rockers Mogwai will headline Saturday night at bluedot 2022. Following the number 1 success of their Mercury Prize-nominated album As The Love Continues, the legendary Scottish post-rockers bring over two decades of extraordinary atmospheric soundscapes to close bluedot’s penultimate night. Metronomy co-headline Saturday with Mogwai, bringing their soon-to-be-released seventh album Small World to Cheshire for a special festival performance.

Bluedot’s now traditional Thursday Opening Concert is this year headlined with a special, collaborative performance between the Mercury-nominated Hannah Peel and Paraorchestra, of their The Unfolding project.

Other confirmed acts on the music bill include psychedelic space rockers Spiritualized, current chart-toppers Yard Act, Warp Records mainstay Squarepusher, multi-instrumentalist composer Anna Meredith, the legendary likes of A Certain Ratio and Tim Burgess, and techno producer and creator of the official theme for the 2023 Women’s World Cup Kelly Lee Owens. Other highlights include India Jordan, A Guy Called Gerald, Sofia Kourtesis and BBC Asian Network’s Manara.

bluedot has also announced the first headline names from its science programme for 2022. Key speakers include host of Radio 4’s The Life Scientific Professor Jim Al-Khalili, British historian and filmmaker David Olusoga, leading space scientist Monica Grady, and astrophysicist and host of BBC’s The Sky at Night Chris Lintott. Physicist Jess Wade will also be at Jodrell Bank with geoscientist Chris Jackson, Met Office’s Richard Betts, director of Tyndall Centre Carly McLachlan, ecotricity founder Dale Vince, immunologist Sheena Cruickshank, evolutionary psychologist Gilly Forrester, planetary scientist Sarah Crowther and the iconic cultural broadcaster and writer Jon Savage also appearing on the line-up.

Also revealed is a first taste of things of bluedot’s culture line-up. Comedian, writer and director Stewart Lee brings his critically acclaimed music documentary ‘King Rocker’ to the festival whilst podcaster and writer Adam Buxton will take to the stage with a live version of his hit comedy series BUG.  There will also be stand-up performances from Desiree Burch, Olga Koch, star of This Time with Alan Partridge and Shrill Lolly Adefope, Cosmic Shambles creator Robin Ince, Rob Rouse and Ahir Shah, plus live podcasts including new Scientist and the bluedot podcast with Chris Hawkins.

For the young adventurers in the family, highlights include curations from Wallace & Gromit creators Aardman Animations and Clangers, and an enormous range of science-focused activities, workshops and live experiments across the Star Fields.

Festival director Ben Robinson said: “After two years away we are thrilled to be able to return with such a unique and diverse line up to the iconic Jodrell Bank for the fifth instalment of bluedot. We can’t wait for people to join us beneath the Lovell Telescope in July to experience four days of cosmic adventures which will close with a very special orchestral performance from Björk and The Hallé.”

bluedot 2022 is the fifth chapter of the unique festival, named Best Medium Festival at the UK Festival Awards, which has seen headline performances from the likes of Kraftwerk 3-D, New Order, The Chemical Brothers, Pixies, The Flaming Lips, Underworld and Jean-Michel Jarre, plus high-profile talks from Brian Cox, Helen Sharman, Alice Roberts and Richard Dawkins.

For more information and to get tickets for bluedot visit www.discoverthebluedot.com

Photo Credit: Scott Salt (bluedot 2019, Hot Chip)

Platinum Jubilee Festival

The stunning 16th century Leasowe Castle Hotel & Grounds are proud to be hosting the Platinum Jubilee Festival from June 2nd to 5th to celebrate the Queen’s remarkable and unprecedented 70 years on the throne.

Expect a family fun-filled four days of Live Music, Food & Drink, Live Screenings of Pageantry and Concerts, Exhibitions, Arts & Crafts, Kids Entertainment and more, including the lighting of the beacon on Thursday 2nd June.

This is the perfect way to celebrate the historic Platinum Jubilee over the bank holidays.

Early Bird Tickets for the full 4 days & nights inclusive are £25 for adults and £12.50 for children (age 5-16) with no entry fee for under 5s. Daily Early Bird Tickets also available from £10 for adults and £5 for children.

Book now via Skiddle.

400 Parts Per Million – Climate ...

A free programme of short films, audio plays and podcasts by women from Liverpool and West Lancashire is launching to coincide with this year’s Earth Hour.

The 400 Parts Per Million Festival, produced by Theatre in the Rough, explores young women’s experience of the Climate Crisis – as women are statistically most likely to be affected by the impacts of climate change.

The participants have been working with climate activists, artists and scientists from around the world for the past six months to learn more about the issues. They have even found time to launch an original podcast series with guests including Springwatch’s Gillian Burke.

From a clown battling with a recycling bin, to an exploration of witchcraft and climate, their work is bold, funny and provocative.

It is free to access from Saturday 26 March by going to www.400.earth. This coincides with Earth Hour 2022, when millions of people across the world switch off their lights in support of nature and our planet.

Chris Fittock, Director of Theatre in the Rough, said: “Women are under-represented in both STEM and the arts. Yet, globally, they are the most likely to be affected by climate change. This project aims to empower young women to be the artistic and ecological leaders we need.”

Liverpool Against Racism – A Cit...

Musicians, artists, actors, athletes, historians, media personalities, politicians and activists will unite in Liverpool in a city-wide statement of solidarity against racism and hate.

A week-long series of impactful, thought-provoking, entertaining and creative events will form Liverpool Against Racism (LAR) – a unique festival which doesn’t shy away from shining a spotlight on the subject of the prejudice endemic in today’s society.

Thought to be the first of its kind in the UK and the brainchild of Liverpool’s Mayor, Joanne Anderson, LAR takes place Sunday 24 to Saturday 30 April. Some of the main highlights are:

Sunday 24 April

The programme kicks-off with an impressive one-day music showcase which will take over venues in the Baltic area of the city. Camp & Furnace, 24 Kitchen Street and District will play host to some incredible Liverpool acts including The Christians, The Farm, Lapsley, John Power, Sense of Sound and Greg Wilson all forming part of the 50+ strong line-up. Tickets for the full day will cost just £5 plus booking fee, per venue.

Tuesday 26 April

The latest addition to the Liverpool skyline, The Spine, will be host to a boundary-pushing in-person conference that will feature local, national and international contributors from across the world of media, sport, fashion, business and education. They will passionately share their thoughts, experiences and advice in addressing racial and social inequalities, and debate what meaningful change really looks like.

British historian David Olusoga, leading diversity and inclusion consultant Joanna Abeyie MBE and American author and journalist Kevin Powell will join Mayor Joanne Anderson as the day’s keynote speakers. ‘In Conversation’ sessions, workshops and presentations will be led by contributors such as TV presenter Charlene White and former boxing champion Tony Bellew.

There will also be representatives from the likes of Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs as well as leading diversity, inclusion and equality practitioners. The full-day conference is ticketed and will cost £20 per person plus booking fee. Places are limited.

Friday 29 April

The focus shifts to young people, and in partnership with the Anthony Walker Foundation and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), the Youth EMPOWER conference will take place at LJMU Student Union across the day. Teenagers from schools across the city will be encouraged to explore what racism means to them.

Creative workshops will sit alongside open and frank discussions as the 13 and 14-year-olds produce work responding to the topic, culminating in a showcase at the end of the day. Inspirational figures such as champion boxer Natasha Jonas will share their inspiring story with attendees.

Saturday 30 April

Everyman Connects is a free day of art, food and conversation about how our cultural spaces can do more and be more for the Global Majority.

The event is held at the Everyman from 12noon with a panel discussion featuring Kim Johnson MP, activist Chantelle Lunt, multi-disciplinary artist Paislie Reid, Artistic Director of 20 Stories High Keith Saha, writer Naomi Sumner Chan and hosted by Dominique Walker of the Anthony Walker Foundation.

There will be performances through the day and the Street Café will be transformed into a Market Place for Global Majority led arts organisations and businesses.

Everyman Connects continues the theatres’ journey of ongoing change as part of their Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

More information & booking here.

Cultural organisations are supporting the week of events by staging their own activities – which range from walking tours and poetry workshops right through to skating festivals and talks around understanding the city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

The whole programme has been curated by Creative Consultant Yaw Owusu.

For the latest event and line-up information, or booking see: www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/liverpool-against-racism/.

All Roads Lead To The Future (All-Daye...

Future Yard are teaming up with old friends She Drew The Gun – who played the first ever show at Future Yard – to host a fabulous all-day event, All Roads Lead To The Future.

On Saturday 30th April, She Drew The Gun present an all-day event that will run across two stages, featuring a hand-picked line-up of friends, allies and outstanding musicians who all share their belief that music needs to say something as well as sound great.

Cult folk songwriter Beans on Toast and witty, lo-fi quartet Lime Garden join She Drew The Gun (pictured) in performing on the night, with both acts sharing Louisa’s desire to reflect political and societal tensions through their music. Fiery punk upstarts ĠENN (who have already headlined a memorable show at Future Yard) and eclectic Warrington four-piece Man & The Echo also join the party, for an event that runs from 3pm ‘til late.

Spoken word educator Toria Garbutt and Scouse raconteur ROY (Skint & Demoralised) will also be performing on the night, bringing an added dimension of lyrical wit to proceedings. Freak-folk three-piece Mamatung are going to be at the centre of the party, while Philly Moore brings his dreamy torch songs; there’s also soulful hip hip from Dayzy and hypnotic ambience from new Manchester troupe crush. Add in the brazen pop of Mickey Callisto, Torture & The Desert Spiders‘ leftfield garage intensity and Macca Taylor‘s melodic, melancholic meanderings and you’ve got a show that is stacked with talent.

The Good Business Festival 2022

Three days to shake the world: learn, discuss, debate and act to drive change. Not by 2050, not in a decade – now.

The three-day global summit was commissioned by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and will be held in venues across Liverpool city centre from 22 to 24 March.

Leaders such as Emilie Stephenson, Force for Good at Innocent Drinks and Hannah Cockcroft MBE, Paralympian and Small Business Advocate will showcase invaluable insights on what social changes are coming and how businesses of all shapes and sizes can respond.

As the country begins to move away from the pandemic, The Good Business Festival is focused on helping companies of every size and interest become more competitive and future-proof themselves by doing the right thing.

Kick-starting with a focus on action, day one will take audiences to unique Liverpool City Region venues, such as The British Music Experience and Liverpool Town Hall, to take a deep dive into what needs to be done to tackle the climate crisis, reduce inequalities and create sustainable cities and communities.

Among the sessions will be three futurologists from The British Academy, Deloitte and Nesta predicting the trends of tomorrow and forecasting the societal direction of the next five years, while Torus and Peel L&P will address responsible regeneration as part of Places with Purpose.

Taking place in the iconic surroundings of the Crypt at the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Liverpool Guild of Students, day two will focus on ‘what difference our money makes’ and delve into consumer insights and behaviour. The programme will see a series of sessions in which market research global leaders Ipsos UK and brands such as TRAID, thinktank Fashion Roundtable and CoGo analyse how much ethics really matter to today’s consumers, and whether the gap between what people say and what they do is shrinking or widening.

Commenting on the insights which will be discussed at the session, Kelly Beaver, CEO of Ipsos UK, said: “How important is ethics to the average consumer? While the rise and rise of brand values has been a standout trend from the emerging data of our post-pandemic world, our data also hints at a growing gap between consumer attitudes and actions on this front – especially where there is a likely financial or lifestyle trade-off.”

Health, sports, music and energy will take centre stage for a rousing third day finale at CONTENT and Hillsong. Big Pharma will explore how working together during the pandemic has helped meet global needs in record time and examine how these lessons can be transferred to solve other global problems from the climate crisis to income inequality.

The final day will also take a look at the status of the music industry and what progress is being made in the energy sector, as well as showcasing the trailblazers of tomorrow, who’ve designed state-of-the-art systems to solve a problem in the world today.

The multi-day, multi-venue, three-day city takeover also promises to shake things up with an interactive and engaging series of citywide pop-up events, arts programmes, social activities and live entertainment.

Highlights will include a film premiere of a series of short films curated by the Climate Crisis Hub and exclusive live music performances from emerging local bands.

The full social schedule will be unveiled next week.

For more information about the line-up for The Good Business Festival, including the social programme, or to register for tickets visit www.thegoodbusinessfestival.com.