Amorphic are extremely pleased to announce that legendary avant garde jazz ensemble The Sun Ra Arkestra will headline the Invisible Wind Factory on Saturday 12th August 2023.
The Arkestra have been active since the late 1950s, when band leader and founder, Sun Ra formed the group in Chicago with the sole purpose of “preaching peace through music”. They have pioneered their unique brand of Afrofuturism, blending African-American struggle with Ancient Egyptian Mythology, religious influence of Judaism, Islam (specifically the Nation Of Islam movement in 1960s America) and Christianity and have toured the world releasing over 150 full length albums for over 60 years. Sun Ra’s take on jazz has always been one of evolution, experimentation and ritual, being early adopters of synthesizers and combining new sounds with a plethora of influences including rag time, big band, music hall, jazz and swing. Over the years their explosive live shows have included an enormous range of musicians and instrumentation, immersive art performance and ceremony.
Now under the direction of 98 year old Marshall Allen who took over the band’s leadership when Sun Ra himself died in 1993, have continued to produce an other worldly blend of joyful, experimental, space age jazz.
Crosstown Studios, a leading Liverpool recording studio, is thrilled to announce a special 15th-anniversary celebration.
The milestone event will be an unforgettable evening of music, nostalgia and community, as the studio commemorates a decade and a half of creative excellence. The much-anticipated happening takes place August 12th 2023 at EBGBS, located in the heart of Liverpool.
To pay tribute to this remarkable journey, a lineup of exceptional musical acts who have recorded at Crosstown Studios will take to the stage to deliver captivating performances throughout the night.
Featured artists include Mr Ted, Visions of Albion, RUINS, Dorothy Bird, The Family Wash, Marc V, and Joseph Roberts. These popular acts represent a diverse range of musical genres, showcasing the studio’s commitment to supporting and nurturing talent across different styles and backgrounds. The event will be a remarkable gathering of artists, music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Crosstown Studios invites everyone to join the celebration and revel in an evening of live music, camaraderie, and the shared passion for creativity that has defined Crosstown’s success story for 15 years. The anniversary celebration takes place at EBGBS, a renowned and vibrant venue with a commitment to promoting emerging artists.
Ex-Easter Island Head are a UK-based musical collective composing and performing music for solid body electric guitar, percussion and other instruments.
Primarily performing as a quartet, the group incorporates multiple electric guitars augmented through mechanical preparations and extended techniques to create works that explore group interplay, repetition and melodic invention through purposefully limited means.
Their records Mallet Guitars One –Three, Large Electric Ensemble and Twenty-Two Strings have been released to significant critical acclaim, the group have received airplay on the BBC and ABC, and their music has been used on television and radio productions internationally.
Collaborators include the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Immix Ensemble and composer Arnold Dreyblatt. Between 2012-2017 they created two ‘Large Electric Ensembles’, bringing together musicians from Nottingham, Manchester and Salford’s experimental music scenes to create ambitious concert pieces for up to 20 players.
In 2019 the group joined forces with Laura Cannell, Charles Hayward and Andre Bosman to release the critically acclaimed collaborative album Whistling Arrow.
Katie Nicholas is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Liverpool. In 2023 she steps into a new musical era with her latest EP Feather, showcasing her as a distinctive folk artist, skilful guitarist and fearless in bending any genre to suit her message.
With poetic lyricism and carefully crafted guitar arrangements accompanied by strings and keys, her sound is reminiscent of obscure but timeless artists including Norah Jones, Katie Melua, Eva Cassidy and Joni Mitchell.
Already established on the UK Americana circuit whilst living in London, Katie was quickly discovered and showcased by Whispering Bob Harris on his Under the Apple Tree event in Nashville.
She has recorded music at Abbey Road Studio London, Blackbird Nashville, and has accumulated over 50 BBC regional broadcasts including The Travelling Folk Show on BBC Radio Scotland. Most recently she has supported artists like Boo Hewerdine and Robert Vincent at Liverpool Philharmonic. Fans have waited eagerly for her return – and here she is, putting her best foot forward.
In 2023, the late, great Vivian Stanshall would have been 80 years old. To celebrate, Michael Livesley and musical director Andy Frizell shall once more assemble friends and vagabonds to bash the tables, fill the glass and raise the roof in celebration of a great man’s work.
The evening features special guest appearances by Viv’s fellow Bonzo Dog Rodney ‘Rhino’ Slater and will be hosted by Vivian’s son Rupert Stanshall.
The night will be a double celebration, as it mark’s the release of Stanshall’s lost ‘great work’. Join us on a musical journey from the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band to Rawlinson End and witness the world premiere of Viv’s brand new music!
Newen Afrobeat is a 13-piece Chilean orchestra that makes music inspired by the legacy of the Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.
With a particular Latin stamp, Newen unify the African rhythms with a colourful and energetic staging, embedded in a deep social message that talks about their roots and social movements in their territory. With a 10-year career, four albums and 9 international tours under their belt, Newen have performed on important stages such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, WOMEX, Africa Oyé, and Felabration Lagos, becoming one of the most played afrobeat artist in the world and a recognised exponent of the world music scene.
Newen Afrobeat is more than a simple orchestra, it is an experience of music, dance, and social awareness.
October Drift return to Future Yard on Friday 8th September following their first headline show there last autumn, their heavy, pop-inflected rock delivering brought to Birkenhead this time for a #UnitedByMusic show, supported by The National Lottery and Music Venue Trust.
Tickets on sale now. Buy a ticket to any of the shows and bring a friend for FREE.
Future Yard are beyond thrilled to be welcoming back firm FY favourites VLURE to their stage on 30th August, in partnership with The National Lottery and Music Venue Trust.
Practically part of the Future Yard fabric at this point, Glasgow’s floor-filling electro-punks were one of the first bands to ever perform in their live room way back in June 2021, and they’ve been enamoured with them ever since. They return to Birkenhead this autumn thanks to the #unitedbymusic tour – and you can get two tickets for the price of one.
Tickets on sale 14th July (buy two tickets, get one for free).
BIRKENHEAD LIVE – NEW OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES
They’re delighted to be welcoming alternative indie-soul trio Skinny Living to Future Yard this summer, as part of a series of outdoor shows in their Garden performance space.
Skinny Living’s story is one of struggle, troubling situations and relentless hard graft. It’s also one of synchronicity, chance meetings, and the unflinching belief that their glorious indie soul music will reach the audience it deserves. Their potential is clear to see. Echoing Bill Withers, The Isley Brothers and Paolo Nutini, their songs shimmer with a timeless, gentle beauty, exquisite vocal harmonies and a lyrical wisdom that inspires optimism and reflection in equal measure.
Tickets on sale now. Full line-up to be announced soon.
COSMIC CAPE AND PROPELLER PRESENTS
On Saturday 22nd July they are thrilled to be hosting the official Cosmic Cape pre-party, ‘Road to Cosmic Cape‘ at Future Yard, getting you ready for the festival two weeks later down in Capenhurst.
It’s set to be a showcase of some of the best rising stars the North-West has to offer and a Propeller showcase of the highest order, with Cosmic Cape alumni Fiona Lennon headlining, backed by her four-piece band, plus sets from singer-songwriter Christy Bellis and the pop-punk sounds of Kerry Feeney.
Tickets on sale now.
