The Poems of Poe

Head along and join Norton Priory for this evocative and immersive Halloween season performance with a difference.

The poems and works of literary legend and gothic American writer Edgar Allen Poe are brought to life by VML theatre in the atmospheric setting of the Norton Priory Undercroft.

The company will perform a selection of excerpts from Poe’s most well known and classic poems and stories such as The Pit and The Pendulum, The Raven, The Tell Tale Heart and Masque of the Red Death.

The performance starts at 7pm with an interval of 20 minutes. Refreshments will be available during this time.

Martha Tilston

With a pure silken voice and lyrics that inspire and captivate, Martha Tilston has gained a large and loyal following. She has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, released several critically acclaimed albums, gained a nomination for BBC best newcomer, appeared as a guest vocalist for Zero 7, toured internationally and worked with some of the world’s most inspiring performers. The past few years have seen Martha venture into the world of film making. She recently released her first feature film, The Tape, which is garnering much praise and excitement.

With her long-time collaborators and musicians Matt Tweed and Matt Kelly, she entwines raw vocals, sparkling melodies and thought-provoking lyrics with filmic movements and earthy baselines. To see them live is to connect with longed-for parts of ourselves…

Nadia Reid

Nadia Reid’s Enter Now Brightness is an album of departure and questioning, a reminder that songwriting can transform pain, joy, thoughts, and anger into something new. “I’m so much better off now that it exists,” she says. “Now feels like a new time.”

Moving further from her folk roots, Reid establishes a sound distinctly her own—poised and expansive. The title, drawn from a book passage, evokes light breaking through, the feeling of stepping onto a stage, of life beginning.

A record of great beauty and change, Enter Now Brightness captures Reid’s evolution, blending textural pop, country-leaning folk-rock, and striking emotional depth. The Guardian describes her sound as “halfway between Haim’s sophisticated pop sparkle and Sharon Van Etten’s full-throated songcraft.”

With support from Kevin Fowley

Chris Wood

Reflections on minor league football, empty nest syndrome, learning to swim, Cook-in Sauce and of course, the Gecko as a metaphor for contemporary society! 

Tom Robinson and Chris Difford are fans while Stick In The Wheel and The Unthanks look to him as an influence. In a world of soundbites and distractions Chris Wood is a truth seeker. His writing is permeated with love and wry intelligence, uplifting and challenging as he celebrates the sheer one-thing-after-anotherness of life.

Winner of 6 BBC Folk Awards, he’s played with The Royal Shakespeare Company and was a key member of The Imagined Village along with Billy Bragg, Martin and Eliza Carthy. A wise and soulful craftsman, his concerts are a cliche free zone.

Dr Orange

Liverpool rising star Dr Orange made a bold entrance with his debut album, Late Night with Dr Orange, in 2024. Featuring stand-out tracks ‘I Found You, ’17’ and ‘Hey Baby’, the album amassed over 100,000 Spotify streams and received high praise from the likes of Def Leppard’s Rick Savage, who called it “brilliant”, and The Zutons’ Dave McCabe, who described the work as “lonely and frustrated man pop at its finest”.

Following a run of sold-out shows at The Cavern Club and The Jacaranda, plus a short UK tour, Dr Orange kicked off 2025 with a triumphant headline performance at Kazimier Stockroom in March – setting the stage for a breakthrough year. 

Dr Orange’s highly anticipated follow up EP, Dr Orange & Friends, is set for release in September 2025.

 

Please note that this is a standing event – If you have any access needs, please contact the Box Office on 0151 709 3789.

Jade Helliwell

Jade Helliwell takes to the stage for a one time special show at the Music Room. The show promises to bring together Jade’s two loves, music & comedy storytelling.

After calls from fans of Jade’s music and live shows for her to incorporate comedy into her live show, Jade decided to take the chance and put on the special. After the debut of her ‘Victoria Wood esque’ song ‘Hot Tub Song’ on the Girls Night In The Round Tour in 2023, Jade has been busy writing material for a show just like this.

The audience can expect an acoustic performance of all the fan favourites, followed by an ‘all new’ set of story telling and comedy songs. Influenced by the likes of Victoria Wood & Fascinating Ada. The show is set to be a rollercoaster of emotions and something not to be missed.

‘Your Song’ – a Celebration of the Songs of Sir Elton John & Billy Joel

Singer-songwriter John Reilly and pianist/composer Lewis Nitikman are delighted to be returning to the Music Room at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, this time to perform ‘Your Song – a Celebration of the Songs of Elton John and Billy Joel.

‘Your Song’ has been wowing audiences throughout the country. This concert is NOT one of the usual tributes, it’s 100% live music, a faithful interpretation of the music of Sir Elton John and Billy Joel. John Reilly has an amazing vocal range and Lewis Nitikman is a superb pianist and also plays bass keyboards and sings backing vocals. So, no dressing up, no miming and no backing tracks, just two consummate professionals celebrating amazing, timeless songs, performed from the heart with passion and musical excellence.

‘Your Song’ has performed at Alexander’s Chester, Kirkgate Arts Centre Cockermouth, The Goods Shed, Tetbury, Chapel Arts Centre Bath, Pizza Express The Pheasantry Chelsea, Alnwick Playhouse,  Masham Town Hall and most recently at Hampton Hub Club, Middlesex and the iconic Crazy Coqs in Soho, all ending with standing ovations as the guys celebrate these fabulous songs in their own unique style. They are playing Acapela Studios, Cardiff, for the third time, to a sell-out audience.

FARA

In celebration of their tenth anniversary, Orkney-born folk quartet FARA embark on a whistle-stop tour, returning to some of their favourite venues and towns from a decade of touring. Presenting an evening of highlights from their three critically acclaimed albums, FARA’s fiery fiddles, foot-stomping piano, and enchanting three-part vocal harmony will take you on a joyful journey through their time performing at the forefront of Scotland’s folk music scene.

An Evening with Rachel Sermanni

Step into a night of raw beauty, vivid storytelling and spellbinding songcraft as Scottish indie-folk artist Rachel Sermanni shares songs from her latest album Dreamer Awake. With poetic candour and emotional depth, her music explores themes of womanhood, motherhood and the quiet surrealism of everyday life. From the lingering weight of dreams to moments of stillness and reflection, her performance promises to be both tender and transformative.

Opening the evening is Norwegian-born, Liverpool-based Sara Wolff, whose analogue-infused psych-folk has drawn comparisons to Cate Le Bon and Jenny Hval. Her immersive live set blends field recordings, cassette loops and ambient textures, offering a rich and imaginative listening experience.

Together, these two distinctive artists invite you to pause, reflect, and immerse yourself in an evening of luminous, emotionally resonant music.

Inhaler

Dublin’s rising rock sensation Inhaler are heading to Liverpool for their biggest UK headline show to date at the M&S Bank Arena this October.

Fresh off a string of acclaimed performances and festival appearances, Inhaler — Eli Hewson, Robert Keating, Ryan McMahon, and Josh Jenkinson — are set to take the stage for an unmissable night of music that marks a major milestone in the band’s explosive rise.

Joining them on the night are The Snuts, along with a very special reunion performance by Liverpool legends The Bandits, who will perform live for the first time since 2004.

This is more than a gig — it’s a celebration of one of Ireland’s most exciting new bands and a must-see moment in Liverpool’s music calendar.

U14s accommodated by an adult / standing 14+