Smithdown Weekender

Smithdown Weekender returns this May Bank Holiday Weekend 2024 for another unforgettable 4 days of live music, arts and DJ’s.

From Friday 3rd May to Monday 6th May, the weekend remains completely free – giving local and upcoming acts the opportunity to perform to full crowds, alongside some great local established acts.

A range of styles and acts will perform in venues stretching from Penny Lane to Gainsborough Road, with main stages for bands located in the Handyman Bar and Brewery.

A reunion with Tramp Attack and Strange Collective will throwback to the original Smithdown Festival, along with more recent favourites including Mamadou and the Lekette, and the Liverpool Indie Choir complimenting debutants such as Me and Deboe.

Smithdown Weekender is proud to support Whitechapel Centre through fundraising efforts. Please donate to the Whitechapel Centre if you can.

John Grant

John Grant returns with his new album, The Art of The Lie, an idea first conceived in the Autumn of 2022 after an introduction to producer and composer Ivor Guest at Grace Jones’ Meltdown Festival.

The result is his most opulent, cinematic, luxurious album yet. A record juxtaposed by beauty and cruelty, it underpins a particularly emotional new chapter in the novelistic solo life of John Grant.

Warrington Concert Series: Piano and C...

Join Warrington Museum and Gallery for an evening piano and clarinet recital on the final night of the Spring edition of Warrington Concert Series at Warrington Museum.

The evening will begin with a 45 minute piano recital from Edward Lloyd after which we’ll take a short interval. They’ll finish the night with a 45 minute clarinet and piano recital from George Blakesley (Clarinet) and Jonathon Fisher (piano).

Adam Ant

Pop icon Adam Ant announces dates for his UK tour – ANTMUSIC 2024.

Performing his classic chart-topping hits and personal favourites, Adam Ant will be appearing live across the UK throughout October and November 2024.

Liverpool Loves Eurovision

Liverpool has special plans in place to re-live its hosting of THE most successful Eurovision Song Contest of all time!

Liverpool Loves Eurovision – a series of free events – will take place on Saturday 11 May, transporting visitors to that incredible fortnight in May last year by paying homage to elements of 2023’s incredibly popular programme which helped attract around 500,000 people to the city centre.

The FREE events taking place on 11 May include:

Between 1-7pm Beats on the Streets will take over Castle Street, Liverpool ONE and the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool when 30 pop-up music and dance performances by local artists will take over the locations throughout the day. Expect a soundtrack of Eurovision hits from across the years performed by some of the best local talent.

The Bluecoat will mark the anniversary with Fly High – a beautiful art installation of blue and yellow butterfly lanterns created at family sessions. The butterflies represent how Liverpool shone under the global Eurovision spotlight and have been curated by artist Andrea Ku from B4 Biodiversity.

Welcome to Aquatopia is a stand-alone commission to mark the anniversary of The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade, one of the best loved moments of Liverpool 2023 – this time taking over the Pier Head. Curated by the Invisible Wind Factory, this is a family-friendly event with DJ sets, dance performances and sea puppetry on the Submarine Stage (located near the Ferry Terminal) and Crafty Fish workshops in Mann Island atrium, which will see families encouraged to create their very own fishy fashion accessory in order to join the roller-skating jellyfish and giant octopus in a special deep-sea disco.

It will run from 2pm until 7pm and will include a whole host of collaborations with local communities and Ukrainian performers.

More events will be added to the line-up soon, including a reimagining of treasure-hunt spectacular Spot Sonia, but this time with some very well-known Eurovision legends…

For full details of what’s on, where and when, head to the Visit Liverpool website, or follow @VisitLiverpool on socials and use #LpoolLovesEurovision #LiverpoolLovesEurovision.

All of the activities will complement the Malmö on the Mersey Grand Final Screening at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 11 May.

Find out more about the impressive impact of hosting Eurovision for Liverpool and the wider City Region here.

Liverpool Loves Eurovision forms part of the Liverpool Loves campaign which aims to position Liverpool as the best place to attend an event in the UK. As well as Eurovision, Comic Con and Taylor Swift will also get the Liverpool Loves treatment in the coming months. Read more here.

Liverpool Bach Collective: Cantata 77 ...

The performance will be part of the evensong service in the church where the collective gave its first performance just over ten years ago.

In the gospel reading of the day, Jesus teaches his disciples about the need for love, and he tells them ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. The ensemble includes oboes, a trumpet, four vocal soloists, and the usual chorus, strings and organ.

The History Of Rock

The History of Rock is back and bigger than ever!

Join them as they celebrate a rock line-up like no other headlined by one of the greatest bands of all time!

As always they’ll be taking audiences on a thrilling ride through the history of rock – but this time, they’re turning the spotlight on Led Zeppelin, as they headline the ultimate rock concert line-up the world has ever seen.

A must see for any fan of ROCK! Experience this iconic music brought back to life by an exceptional band consisting of some of the finest musicians and performers from around the world.

So join them and experience a rock show like no other with The History of Rock!

Art Of Believing – Flamenco

The award-winning flamenco production Art of Believing hosts an exceptional group of musicians; flamenco singers, guitarists, percussionists, a violinist and a dancer.

Join Daniel Martinez in a must-see powerful flamenco performance bursting with passion and authenticity. Art of Believing is a truly unique musical production where the audience will enjoy a rich variety of flamenco styles; from the intense emotion of a Seguiriya, to the joyful sounds of an Alegria.

Tony Mac

Get ready for songwriter / performer Tony Mac live at The Quarry in Liverpool!

Tony’s notes on the show:

“I know, I know, its been too long! In fact, it’s been a few years since my last performance with the full band. So, I’m really excited to bring to life the new tracks you’ve all been listening to and enjoying online, along with some old favourites! It’s a privilege to have The Jones Brothers (Jacob and Ben from The Garnetts) join the band again, along with Graeme Heywood on guitar (TheSkyIsGrae) and singer/songwriter Jessica James completing the line up on backing vocals.

I’m really excited to see you all, and your help will make this another really special evening, see you there! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all your support… Tmc x”

This in-person event promises to be a night to remember, so grab your friends and come on down to the Quarry Venue. Tony Mac will be bringing the house down with his incredible performance of original songs, accompanied by some very special guests. So don’t miss out!

Blue Moon Folk Club opening night! Wit...

Welcome to a new music evening, celebrating the best contemporary, traditional, and experimental folk and acoustic music that Liverpool has to offer!

This evening will be taking place in the unique and beautiful Nordic Church and Cultural centre in the Liverpool Baltic Triangle.

They kick things off with a very special lineup:

– Lovecraft: Six-piece queer experimental psych-rock outfit from Liverpool with an exciting shapeshifting sonic battalion and razor-sharp lyrics that evoke the best (and worse elements of life in modern England. Currently working on their third LP, Lovecraft are renowned for their energetic and darkly humorous live shows, and will be delivering a unique, stripped-back set especially for you – you lucky scamps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG5D40j5ed8

https://lovecraftmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-nervous-system

– Pink Mountain: Raised by wolves in the French Alps and now settled in Liverpool, Pink Mountain draw inspiration from the passionate storytelling of traditional and contemporary folk music and poetry. Expect layered melodies, intricate guitar, mesmerising vocals and passion 4 dayz.

https://soundcloud.com/pink-mountain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5-75GAoPVU

… plus special guest to be announced

Doors at 7pm, first act on at 7.30pm

No bar at the venue – feel free to bring your own drinks, but be respectful of the space.