Event type: Music

Shane Embury of Napalm Death in Conversation

Napalm Death’s longest standing member, Shane Embury, comes to Future Yard off the back of the release of his book release ‘Life?… and Napalm Death’. The bassist has been a major figure in the grindcore music scene for more than four decades, Life?… And Napalm Death takes readers on a front seat journey of his story and the history of the scene. This is not just his story, but a history of Napalm Death and grindcore’s development from the beginning to the present. 

Napalm Death’s Shane Embury reflects on 40 years of noise terrorism in conversation with journalist Joel McIver, sharing stories from his unique life in and out of the band, reflecting on the community that has grown up around them and the political values that are central to their music. Shane will be signing copies of his illustrated memoir ‘Life? And Napalm Death’, published by Rocket 88 after the show.

There will be a chance to ask your own questions.

This show will feature an in conversation with Shane Embury about the book with a signing afterwards.

STAGE LEFT

Created in-house at the Unity, this new performance dives into the theatre’s bold and rebellious past. From its roots as Merseyside Left Theatre in the 1930s to the vibrant creative home we inhabit today, A Radical Reimagining brings decades of radical storytelling roaring back to life.

Through dynamic performance, powerful voices, and striking moments from the past, we celebrate a legacy of theatre made for the people. Expect a journey through protest, passion, and creativity, a reminder that this stage has always belonged to those with something to say.

Part of Unity’s Heritage Lottery Funded project.  

Political Songs Workshop | Sing, March, Protest with Patrick Dineen

Come along and experience the political songs that the Unity Theatre would have performed, written and experienced over the years from the Spanish Civil War to the 1960s. 

From rousing marching songs through to sophisticated cabaret. Listen and sing the wit and irony, dark humour of songs that speak of injustice and corruption.

Patrick Dineen is a composer and lyricist. He has written many scores for theatre and political cabaret over the years and has had a long standing relationship with The Unity Theatre. His work as a composer includes tv, film, dance, cabaret and directing his own music-theatre shows.

LAAF 2026 presents Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival presents the world premiere performance of the hugely anticipated second album from Tamsin Elliott (UK) and Tarek Elazhary (Egypt).

The album, currently untitled, is scheduled for release in September 2026. Together, Tamsin and Tarek explore the intriguing parallels and idiosyncrasies of Egyptian Maqam and English folk traditions in a captivating fusion of songs, tunes and textures, finding commonality, fostering cross-cultural connection and helping heal the scars of a colonial past through meaningful and conscious collaboration. 

Tamsin Elliott is a Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist, composer and filmmaker working primarily with English folk traditions, equally adept on fiddle, lever harp, and microtonal accordion. Alongside solo projects, she leads the genre-crossing ensembles Solana and Hedera,  and collaborates widely across folk and experimental music contexts.

Tarek Elazhary is an Egyptian composer, educator and oud player whose work centres on Arab musical traditions. Through performance, teaching and composition, he explores how these traditions can be sustained and developed in contemporary settings. He is the founder and leader of the ensemble Dokkan. 

For this Liverpool premiere, the string quartet will be the Ensemble of St Lukes, founded 34 years ago by members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The Ensemble give regular chamber recitals of western classical repertoire at the Music Room, and have previously collaborated with LAAF in 2023 on a performance with Syrian qanunist and composer Maya Youssef.

 

Indigo Vibe Choir Singing Workshop

 

 

If you love singing and are thinking about joining a choir, come along to our singing workshop on Saturday 25th April 10am to 1pm at The Brain Charity, Norton Street, Liverpool L3 8LR. It’ll be a fun, relaxed time, making music and meeting new people.  No experience necessary. To reserve a place, please email indigovibe@ymail.com

 

 

WoWFEST 2026: Desert Island Dissent with Linton Kwesi Johnson

 

Join legendary poet and activist Linton Kwesi Johnson for Desert Island Dissent — a powerful in-conversation event exploring art as a force for resistance.

In this special event, Johnson will consider the music, poetry and political works that have most profoundly shaped his life and activism. Drawing on his experiences of 1970s Britain, the rise of the National Front and the cultural resistance that followed, he will reflect on the moments that forged his voice and defined decades of struggle.

From dub poetry to political literature, the evening will explore the enduring power of creative expression to confront injustice, challenge dominant narratives and inspire collective action. At a time when old ideologies are resurfacing and reactionary politics are gaining ground, Johnson’s perspective offers a vital reminder that culture can provoke change — and that resistance has its own soundtrack.

An evening of reflection, performance and urgent conversation with one of the most influential political voices of our time.

Linton Kwesi Johnson

The award-winning reggae poet and political activist was born in Jamaican 1952 before moving to London in 1963. He studied at Goldsmiths College, was a member of the Black Panthers and was poetry editor of Race Today, introducing new voices to the British public, including Michael Smith and Oku Onuora. In 1974, the Race Today Collective published Linton’s first poetry book, Voices of the Living and the Dead.  

In 2002 he became only the second living poet and the first black poet to have his work included in Penguin’s Modern Classics series, under the title Mi Revalueshanary Fren. Penguin continue to publish him, now in their Selected Poems series.  

Linton’s first album Dread Beat An Blood was released in 1978. Since then, he has released fourteen albums made with long-time collaborator and producer, Dennis Bovell, and has been running his own record label, LKJ Records, since 1981. He is also a Trustee of the George Padmore Institute and Chair of 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning.

Venue: The British Music Experience, British Music Experience, Cunard Building, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1DS 

Photo Credit: Danny Da Costa

Piano Concert with Duncan Honeybourne

Duncan Honeybourne, internationally acclaimed concert pianist gives an evening concert of Schumann, Bax, Pott & Chopin, with an interval for refreshments. All ages welcome – tickets are £10 on the door.

 

 

The ELO Experience – Electric Light Orchestra

The legacy left by Jeff Lynne & The Electric Light Orchestra barely needs any introduction – suffice to say that between 1972 and 1986 they achieved more combined UK and US Top 40 hits than any other band on the planet! ‘10538 Overture’, ‘Evil Woman’, ‘Living Thing’, ‘Diary of Horace Wimp’, Don’t Bring me Down’ and of course ‘Mr Blue Sky’ went on to become the soundtrack of our lives.

In 2025 Jeff Lynne’s ELO performed the last ever live shows with the ‘Over & Out Tour’. The ELO Experience tour will include the greatest hits from an extensive and impressive back catalogue spanning over 50 years.

Kraftwerk: Multimedia Tour 2026

 

Back in June, Kraftwerk wowed UK audiences with a one-off performance at the Forever Now Festival in Milton Keynes, their headline slot illuminating the post punk bill to such an extent that The Times commented “Even now, almost 60 years into their career, Kraftwerk are still waiting for the world to catch up with them. Not so much post-punk as post-everything, their techno-utopian machine symphonies will forever sound like the future.”

Now Kraftwerk and the much-celebrated robots return to the UK bringing with them their constantly upgraded Multimedia Tour which began back in 2012 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Part performance, part digital installation, the Kraftwerk live show is an unmissable audio and technological spectacle.

 

Bowie Experience

 

A must see for all Bowie fans, the latest production features all the hits from A to Ziggy.

Bowie Experience continues to amaze audiences with an astounding attention to detail, bringing the golden years of David Bowie to the stage. So, put on your red shoes and Let’s Dance!