Interest area: Music

John Robb

John Robb talks about a life in music, his best-selling art of darkness book, being the first person to interview Nirvana, inventing the word Britpop and adventures on the post-punk frontline…

John Robb is a many-faceted creature. Not just a well known face from TV but also a best selling author, musician, journalist, presenter and pundit, music website boss, publisher, festival boss, eco warrior and vegan behemoth and talking head singer from post-punk mainstays The Membranes. John Robb is all these things and more.

His recently released book The Art Of Darkness – the History Of Goth is a worldwide pop culture best seller and his soon to be launched ground-breaking new scheme – the Green Britain Academy, is set to train up people in thousands of Eco jobs whilst Borders Blurred is a gaming and music agency with a twist.

He was one of the leading post punk fanzine writers in the UK with Rox before he went on to write for the rock press with Sounds in the 80s. John was the first person to interview Nirvana in the early 90s and was one of the first to coin the expression ‘Britpop’ and was instrumental in kick starting and documenting the ‘Madchester’ scene with his writing. His music and culture website Louder than War is currently the fifth most-read music and culture site in the UK and at the front of diverse modern culture.

Tickets for this event include a £1 venue restoration levy, included in the ticket price. This fee supports building investment at the Grade II-listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

The Brain Charity’s Carol Concert 20...

This free Liverpool carol service held by The Brain Charity takes place in one of Liverpool’s most stunning churches – St Francis Xavier.

The Brain Charity Choir will perform classic hymns at this peaceful Merseyside carol concert.

They are also hosting  LIPA Primary choir, SingMe Merseyside, Asylum Link choir, their very own talented soloist Jess, and a special guest finale, singing carols galore for your entertainment!

Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten to buy Christmas cards, as they’ll have a stall with a range of The Brain Charity’s own festive selection too. If you let them know you’re coming, they can reserve you a seat, or pew!

This is a free event.

To learn more and to book your place, please click here.

Liverpool Bach Collective Cantata 140 ...

The principal message of this Cantata is that we should be prepared for the Day of the Lord.

The opening chorus relates the Gospel account of the unwise virgins, who were not prepared to receive their Lord, and the cantata includes two sublime love-duets between Jesus and the faithful soul.

Event

The final chorale reassures the Lord that faithful Christians will be ready to meet him when he calls. The three vocal soloists and chorus are joined by an ensemble of oboes, cor anglais, bassoon, horn, string and organ.

Sir Tim Rice, My Life in Musicals: I K...

Sir Tim Rice, the multi-award winning, internationally renowned lyricist, will return to theatre stages across the UK in 2024 with a very special live musical theatre event – My Life In Musicals – I Know Him So Well.

The show will see Tim Rice reflect on his illustrious career at the heart of musical theatre, sharing anecdotes behind the songs – the hits and the misses along with stories of his life and live performances from the wonderful catalogue of songs that are synonymous with his name and that of his collaborators. Musical accompaniment will be from an array of some of the UK’s leading West End singers and musicians led by Musical Director Duncan Waugh.

Tim is associated with writing the lyrics for so many of the world’s much-loved hit musicals – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Chess and the Disney productions The Lion King, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. His work has not been limited to musical theatre alone with Evita transferring to the big screen and theme music for the James Bond movie Octopussy.

With the show packed full of songs including ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’, ‘Any Dream Will Do’, ‘A Whole New World’, ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’, ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’, ‘Circle of Life’, ‘Chess’, ‘Hakuna Matata’, ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, ‘I Know Him So Well’, ‘All Time High’, ‘Must Love Me’, ‘A Night In Bangkok’. My Life In Musicals is an absolute must for fans of musical theatre and brilliant music.

Regarded by many as one of the world’s greatest lyricists Tim Rice commented “My Life in Musicals is a show in which I reveal all (well, nearly all) of the secrets behind the creation of some of the best-known songs featuring my lyrics. I have had the good fortune to work with some of the greatest composers of our time, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, Elton John and Alan Menken, without whose wonderful melodies I’d be at home watching television.

You’ll probably know quite a few of the songs – and will therefore be relieved to hear I won’t be singing them. All musical aspects of the show I hand over to the outstanding Duncan Waugh Band and West End Singers. There will be plenty of stops in between the hits during which I’ll tell you how they happened and, in some cases, nearly didn’t. Actually, I might sing a little – but not Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.”

Unfortunate – The Untold Story o...

Disney villain. Octo-woman. Plus-size icon.

Fresh from complete sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and around the UK comes this critically acclaimed smash hit parody musical. Starring Shawna Hamic (Orange is the New Black, 1776 on Broadway) as ‘Ursula’ and River Medway (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) as ‘Ariel’, Unfortunate is coming to Liverpool Playhouse and things are gonna get wet!

Join everyone’s favourite Disney Diva, Ursula, as she gives her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea. With an original hot pop soundtrack and trademark filthy humour, it’s time to take the plunge and dive into this year’s hottest night out.

Cruella told her side, and Maleficent’s had her moment. Now the legendary queer queen is ready to spill, in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers.

Suitable for age 16+

Love Bombs Launch Party

Love Bombs launches at Quarry Liverpool on November 18th with seven hours of amazing house music.

They’ve got The Machine kicking things off early doors, with Odette coming all the way from Holland to spin her finest, and headlining they have none other than the legendary Phonique.

❤️💣 When? 9 pm ’til 4 am, 18/11/23
❤️💣 Where? The Quarry, Love Lane, Liverpool
❤️💣 Who? The Machine, Odette, Phonique, more TBC
❤️💣 Why? For Macmillan Cancer Support, all proceeds go directly to the charity.
❤️💣 How Much? Pay What You Can! Suggested donation of £10 (ALL PROCEEDS, NOT JUST PROFIT, GOES TO MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT).

Join them for an intimate house party in an awesome venue and get busy on the dancefloor in aid of charity.
This event is pay what you can. Nobody should be priced out of a few hours of escapism during a global economic crisis. We suggest a £10 minimum donation to Macmillan. Throw more in the hat if you can…

Phonique: Residing in Berlin, Phonique has been at the forefront of melodic house, deep tech, and tech house since the mid-90s. Not only is he joining for the debut Love Bombs event, but this is also Phonique’s debut in the city of Liverpool. Plus, he’s bringin’ a solid four hour extended set with him to really get things off to a bang.

Odette: Hailing from Holland, the Dutch Dynamo that is Odette will be supporting Phonique with her expert blend of pumping house to get everyone’s juices flowing and joints loosened up. They’ve had Odette before at House for the Homeless, and she is NOT TO BE MISSED.

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The Machine: The Love Bombs resident will commence proceedings with some low-slung house to warm you up before the party really gets going…

Mark Jones Music – Upstairs at T...

Mark Jones Music (woodwind) once more hosts, ‘The Classics’, for all upstairs at the Ship & Mitre Pub.

Event is free to attend, however no lift at the venue is currently available.

Car parking space is directly opposite the venue.

The Belgrave House Band performs Ziggy...

The Belgrave House Band will perform their interpretation and celebrate the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s seminal album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

Featuring Leeds/London’s finest Art Rock God, ‘Joshua Zero’ up front as lead singer. They’ll be backed up by the ever-astounding selection of exuberant, dynamic and highly skilled musicians from Leeds’ burgeoning Jazz and Soul scene from bands such as Têtes de Pois, Mamilah and Skwid Ink to name a few. For the first time ever The Belgrave House Band are working with a live string section to bring Ziggy’s orchestral flavours to life.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Ziggy Stardust holds its place as one of the most impactful albums of all time. Intrepid and impulsive, Bowie’s androgynous alien alter ego has touched millions of hearts around the globe. Join the Belgrave House Band to celebrate this magnificent musical effort.

Moulettes Acoustic

Stretching the boundaries of expectation as they move between cellos, classical and steel string guitars, viola, piano, violin, harp, percussion and harmony vocals, be prepared to question all you think you know about the traditional chamber ensemble.

This is eclectic music for indie, experimental, folk and classical lovers alike; a delicious interplay of dramatic orchestration, big riffs, string baths and kaleidoscopic lushness.

Through this daring ensemble, Moulettes explore the resonant beauty of these acoustic
instruments with ambition, ingenuity and poise. Choosing to play in-the-round wherever
possible, the crowd encircle the band, close enough to become part of the sixth-sense synergy
that makes ensemble playing so magical to witness.

Bob Marley Revival

The Bob Marley Revival is a group of seven talented and experienced individuals who have one special thing in common, a deep love and admiration for the legend, inspiration and icon that is Bob Marley & The Wailers.

With sincere dedication to recapturing the spirit of the king of reggae, the Revival take great pleasure in sharing their performances with audiences everywhere, with an emphasis on keeping the message, spirit and love of Bob Marley alive.