Liverpool’s new alternative music and arts festival, OUTER WAVES, debuts on 24th-25th May 2025.
Set to take over venues across the North Docks, including Invisible Wind Factory and Make Liverpool, the festival promises a bold programme of experimental music, boundary-pushing visual art, and innovative collaborations—filling a long-missing gap in the city’s cultural landscape.
Future Yard and Milap present Shez Raja and Guthrie Govan in Birkenhead on Friday 18th July.
Voted one of the ‘Hottest Bass Players in the World’ by readers of Bass Player magazine, virtuoso bass player and Parkgate’s own Shez Raja returns to our stage after a storming performance back in September. An artist renowned for his high-energy live shows, unique Indo-jazz-funk sound, and global collaborations with the likes of Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dennis Chambers, and Wayne Krantz, Raja brings his dynamic style to the stage once again.
He is joined by electric guitar sensation Guthrie Govan, a man with numerous accolades, including being voted ‘Guitarist of the Year’ in Guitarist magazine and appearing on the cover of Guitar Player magazine. The go-to player for Hans Zimmer, Govan’s virtuosic technique and bold creativity have earned him a reputation as guitar royalty on the world stage.
Together, they are set to perform fresh music from their new album, Spellbound, inspired by Shez’s travels to Punjab in the Indian subcontinent. Expect exhilarating music that transcends cultural boundaries, blending East and West with mesmerising melodies, intricate rhythms, and heartfelt compositions.
Black Uhuru take over the Future Yard Garden on Friday 27th June.
The pioneering second generation roots Reggae outfit perform on their outdoor stage under the Birkenhead sun this summer before they make their way down to Glastonbury.
They are thrilled to present Atlanta’s retro-psychedelic garage rockers, Gringo Star, in Birkenhead on Wednesday 2nd July.
Across 15+ years and 8 albums, Gringo Star have made a name for themselves as one of Atlanta’s most valuable rock & roll exports, carrying the torch for hazy, psychedelic garage rock in a city primarily valued for its contributions to hip-hop. Gringo Star have outlasted wave after wave of buzz bands and indie blog darlings, carving their own career path through constant reinvention and an unparalleled work ethic, amassing a loyal and enthusiastic international fanbase along the way.
Gringo Star’s music blends psychedelic garage rock, doo-wop-inspired R&B, and British Invasion rock. Combining bubblegum melodies and punk-ish energy with psychedelic effects and dynamic rock rhythms, they strike a balance between vintage and modern influences to create a nostalgic yet vibrant sound.
They host Clann An Drumma at Future Yard on Thursday 17th July, a collective that have crafted a sound that seamlessly fuses ancient traditions with modern flair, featuring powerful battle drums and evocative Highland pipes that blend Celtic heritage with contemporary influences.
Originating from Glasgow, they perform adorned in uniquely designed tartan, worn as traditional plaids, with tribal energy infusing life into all occasions.
An evening of French classical music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries performed by Hope Metropolitan Orchestra.
Conducted by Helen Thomas with music by Pierne, Faure, Mel Bonis and Bizet.
June 6th 2025 sees the release of ‘Heavy Heart’, the first track from the upcoming debut solo EP of gifted songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist Kathy Halter.
To coincide with the release, Kathy Halter is hosting an immersive listening experience, Walking Each Other Home, which will explore the impact of grief, loss and love – with songs, words and rituals. In the peaceful setting of Liverpool’s Unitarian Church Hall, attendees are invited to sit or lie down comfortably by the warmth of the crackling open fire. With headphones on, guests will be immersed in deeply personal and soothing songs, which draw inspiration from the death of Halter’s mother, and her work providing bedside music for people at the end of life. The music, interwoven with gentle spoken word, invites people into a space of tender reflection and exploration of their own grief.
Walking Each Other Home
Friday 6th June 2025
Ullet Road Unitarian Church, Liverpool
Two time slots available:
6pm – 7.45pm
8.30pm – 10.15pm
As this song explores themes of death and grief, it may evoke strong emotional responses. Listener discretion is advised.
Bonnacons of Doom return to Future Yard on Tuesday 3rd June.
Over two genre defying albums on Rocket Recordings Bonnacons of Doom have been honing their ‘Trans-pennine Hypnotic Music’ into a distinct sonic signature. Mind-bending drone, gut wrenching riffs and the searing vocals of Kate Smith collide for a ritualistic, transcendent experience.
The band’s live show combines mirrored masks, amp worship, folk weirdness and electronics to create a communion that is simultaneously ancient and modern. Over the past decade the band have gone from one-off art experiments to wowing audiences at festivals such as Desertfest and Sonic Whip, playing gigs across Europe to touring with Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.
A pioneer of the birth of dance music in the UK, Hacienda regular and ‘electro-funk’ innovator, New Brighton’s own Greg Wilson takes over the Future Yard Garden during Spring Bank Holiday weekend, headlining an extended outdoor party in Birkenhead on Sunday 25th May.
Special guests Derek Kaye + Jill Thompson join Greg on the day.
As the world turns its eyes and ears to Eurovision, the Everyman is here to get you all set for the big final.
Who better to run you through your Eurovision paces than the truly sensational NANA FUNK. The all-singing, sometimes-dancing superstar of the ages comes back Downstairs at the Everyman to guide you through Eurovision greatness.
Sing along and have a boogie to the best Eurovision tunes from years gone by. Joining Nana on singing duties are two vocal powerhouses!