Take a break from the glorious chaos of Christmas preparations to enjoy an evening of Christmas songs, festive classics, carols and seasonal melodies from across the ages.
Performed by students from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), this annual, feel-good, family concert features the LIPA Big Band, strings, choirs, vocalists, and dancers in a wonderful evening of yule-tide light entertainment.
Taking place in the early evening, it’s perfectly timed for everyone in the family to round off their weekend with some Christmas cheer and still get an early night ahead of school or work the next day!
Founded in 1996, and with a reputation for world-leading creative and performing arts training, LIPA attracts some of the most talented and committed students from the UK and across the world. Join us for a joyous celebration of Christmas!
St. Helens, UK – ReCharged Music Festival invites music enthusiasts to a journey through time celebrating St Helens’ music scene, past and present. Taking place on September 16th, 2023, this event promises to be a soul-stirring celebration of the Borough’s rich musical heritage.
The ReCharged Music Festival is presented in three distinct parts. The main event takes place in the evening of the 16th of September at The Citadel in St Helens, transporting music lovers back to the late 80s and early 90s, a pivotal era that birthed iconic bands and artists who emerged from the heart of St. Helens.
The evening lineup includes renowned acts such as Poisoned Electrick Head, Android 80, The Bordellos, Dan Wilson & The Counterfactuals, and TUT. These legends, hailing from the very fabric of St. Helens, are set to grace the stage once again, igniting nostalgia and rekindling the fervour of yesteryears.
The historic Citadel Theatre, known for its cultural significance and pivotal role in the artistic landscape, serves as the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable voyage into the past.
Brian Carney, of Android 80 and also a founding member of Poisoned Eletrickhead, who now resides in Belgium is returning to his home town for the gig. He said:“I am excited to take the stage at the ReCharged festival, where we will celebrate and validate the creative eruption that defined St. Helens during the 80s and 90s. The Citadel has hosted many of my memorable performances, making ReCharged an immensely nostalgic gig for me.
The greatest concert film of all time, Stop Making Sense brings to the screen Talking Heads at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December 1983: David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison, alongside an ecstatic ensemble of supporting musicians.
Renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) captures the band at their exhilarating best, in this new and complete restoration for the film’s 40th anniversary.
The artists of MDM Recordings present an incredible country/folk music showcase in Apologetically Canadian.
Taking to the stage will be record-breaking and chart-topping independent artist Tyler Joe Miller, singer-songwriter and Juno and CCMA Award nominee Don Amero, iHeart Radio’s ‘Future Star’ duo Five Roses and the multi award-winning Jess Moskaluke, the first Canadian female artist to go platinum in Canada since Shania Twain.
Get ready for an incredible evening, starring the very best country musicians Canada has to offer.
Rose City Band’s country psychedelic rock evokes the wide-open spaces of the American west and the free spirits who call it home.
The project of acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Ripley Johnson, Rose City Band has extended beyond the studio and lives in tandem as a live ensemble featuring some of the finest players in contemporary rock: pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg, bassist Dewey Mahood (aka Plankton Wat) and drummer Dustin Dybvig.
Their latest record, Garden Party, is a celebration of summer and all it brings: communal gatherings, the respites offered by nature, and an appreciation for even the simplest beauty. Freedom, contentment, and joy were the sources for the songs. From the soaring guitar solos to the driving rhythms, the elegant pedal steel lines to the organ grooves, Garden Party has a live band’s energy captured in exquisite detail.
Like all great music, Garden Party takes listeners to their happy place – their sunny spot. The album is an invitation to recalibrate, a joyous ride where the band’s sounds surround and embrace you.
A huge modular synth showcase is coming to The Capstone Theatre in Liverpool this autumn.
On Thursday 26th October, the venue will host a triple bill of electronic music from an exciting trio of artists heralding from the North West; Polypores, Field Lines Cartographer and Lo Five.
From the bucolic drift of 2019’s Flora, or the jagged fever-dream timbres of Chaos Blooms, Stephen Buckley’s Polypores project has never ceased to innovate, weaving intricate textures and motifs into effortlessly anxiolytic electronic music for some of the most respected labels in the electronic music sphere including Castles In Space, Polytechnic Youth, Woodford Halse, DiN and Frequency Domain.
It’s not just via recorded medium that we get an insight into the Polypores world though, with his live performances ranging from highly textural modular synth tapestries, slowly unfurling into threads of sound, to nigh-horizontal mesmeric drone monoliths and meditative simmering sound baths wrought through a baffling array of hardware synths and effects.
In Field Lines Cartographer’s world there is no rush, no hurried resolutions or hasty developments; Mark Burford has been meticulously crafting an impeccable body of work that revels in gradual imperceptible shifts and slow-burning realisations for some years now.
From the chimeric Dreamtides for Castles In Space, rich with atmospheric intensity and nebulous melodic turns, to the insectile mystery and skittering echoic arpeggios of Formic Kingdom for Woodford Halse, or the stunning Tone Maps for fledgling imprint Quiet Details, Burford’s music is intensely emotive and unfathomably deep.
While the textural detail inherent in all of FLC’s work carries through to his jawdropping live show, his performances are mostly stripped back to a couple of hardware synthesisers, effortlessly mixing analogue and digital in a masterclass of restraint and balance, earning him a much-lauded repeat appearance at Levitation festival in Whitby and a spot at DiN’s Tone Science live show at The Capstone Theatre.
Lo Five is the experimental melodic ambient handle of Neil Grant, a Wirral-based producer who specialises in heavily textured tape-worn beat-heavy soundscapes, which refer to an ongoing interest in human consciousness and spiritual enlightenment.
Including previous releases on Castles in Space, Miracle Pond, Upitup and Patterned Air, Lo Five has two records scheduled for release on Castles in Space in 2023. Neil is the founder of Emotion Wave, an ongoing collaborative project which is primarily involved with releases and events designed to showcase underground electronic artists.
Simply a must for modular synth and electronic music fans, this incredible showcase promises to be an exhilarating display of other-worldly sounds; taking the audience on a mind-blowing journey. Another incredible night of entertainment courtesy of Liverpool’s forward thinking Capstone Theatre.
Andrew Gower at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Photo Credit: Sam Fountayne
Liverpool actor and musician, Andrew Gower, has appeared in many acclaimed TV projects such as Black Mirror, Outlander, YOU and most recently The Winter King. Many may be surprised to know that Andrew is also a songwriter and frontman of Gustaffson.
In 2022 Gustaffson recorded their first EP, ‘The Jacaranda’, with Elbow’s Craig Potter at the helm in Blueprint Studios, Manchester. Released in August 2022, the EP has been played across local and national BBC Radio stations, including being Guy Garvey’s Record of The Week on BBC 6Music’s Finest Hour.
Alongside the EP, their first music video for the single ‘The Jacaranda’ scored a massive coup by starring legendary actor Sue Johnston and was recently screened on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. It’s a beautiful video!
The band have recently released a new live single, ‘Champagne Socialist’, which was recorded on the historic Liverpool Empire Theatre stage. Impressively, it’s shot in one continuous take by upcoming director Sam Fountayne.
The track is a wonderful, modern blues, with Andrew’s emotive and soulful vocals keeping you gripped throughout. His coruscating lyrics certainly take no prisoners and give the song a real bite.
We were lucky enough to speak to Andrew to find out more about him and Gustaffson.
Uncover Liverpool: Tell us a bit about yourself Andrew and your band Gustaffson.
Andrew Gower: I’m a Liverpool born Actor & Singer & Song writer/Musician. For the past decade I’ve been lucky enough to work consistently in Film, Television and Theatre in shows like Black Mirror, Outlander, Being Human, Carnival Row and most recently The Winter King. In 2020 I started writing and releasing music under the pseudonym ‘Gustaffson’. Last year (August 2022) we released our debut EP ‘The Jacaranda’ produced by Elbows Craig Potter.
UL: How would you best describe your music?
AG: I’d say our music is a blend of Rock, Folk and more recently Soul/Funk (a sign of things too come), but the foundation of all of our music is definitely in the story telling. With every song we think about our audience. What story do we want to tell them, lyrically and musically. How do we want to present it and serve it up without spoon feeding them. The best stories don’t have to be explained. Which I guess is what makes them universal.
UL: Tell us a bit about your new single ‘Champagne Socialist’.
AG: Our new single ‘Champagne Socialist’ was recorded Live on the Liverpool Empire Theatre stage. It’s our second live release since the EP. I’d say it’s Gustaffson’s most rock and roll track to date. It’s one of many new songs we’d love to include on a future album. Again presenting a lyrical message with memorable riffs and hooks. Dirty Vintage Rock and Roll. There’s a beauty in the imperfection and reality of a live performance. I’d say the empire stage is the lead character In the track.
UL: The video for ‘Champagne Socialist’ was filmed at a one-take at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. It looks incredible. How did that come about?
AG: It was recorded live in the theatre and shot in one continuous take by upcoming director Sam Fountayne (Fountayne Films). The video was inspired by the live variety acts of old (that were hosted on the same stage). A homage to artists like the Rolling Stones, The Beatles and the incredible Chuck Berry. We also drew inspiration from the film Birdman, wanting the audience to feel like they are on that historic stage with the band. I love the idea of being able to see these historic performances from the wings.
‘Champagne Socialist’ (Live at The Liverpool Empire Theatre) Official Video
UL: What’s your process for writing and creating music?
AG: Our process of writing music is forever changing. I think at its heart is collaboration. I’ve been writing lyrics since I was 15 and each story or song is always brought to life by the collaboration process. They are like little stories or scripts I carry around with me.They can be inspired by an instrument, a riff, a producer or even a piece of artwork. I’ve watched a lot of films of late and gone in the studio the next day with a clear idea for a song. That’s what I love about writing music – there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
UL: What do you like about Liverpool and the Liverpool music scene?
AG: I think the first that comes to mind when I think of Liverpool and music, is of course the history. The influence the city has had on shaping what we call ‘the music industry’. What I love about the city is we are a unique port. A city that survived a lot of hardship through telling stories. Stories that come in & out of the city on boats – just like when Rock & Roll arrived into the port back in the 50’s.
Gustaffson have alot to thank the current Liverpool music scene for. With huge help and support from venues like The Jacaranda and Phase One/Jacaranda record store. A venue that inspired our first EP and helped us arrange our bands launch. Now we are set to headline the iconic Cavern Club – which has been on the wish list for a very very long time. Bands will always return to Liverpool to perform or write music – because it holds such a weight in the music world.
‘The Jacaranda’ Official Music Video Starring Sue Johnston OBE
UL: You’ve got a headline gig coming up at The Cavern Club, what can we expect from the night?
AG: Our headline gig at the Cavern Club will have us play all of our latest music. That’s songs from our debut EP ‘The Jacaranda’, our new live singles (Northern Baby & Champagne Socialist) and a host of new music. Alongside our headline set we are excited to give the audience a proper ‘old school’ variety night. Special guests include: the screening of an award winning short film ‘The Entertainer’ starring Toby Jones & directed by Jonathan Schey. Music by Liverpool singer & song writer Martha Goddard and indie jazz singer Iris Holmes (who will be performing in the city for the first time). G33 from the amazing Girls Don’t Sync will be our DJ for the evening. The whole event will be hosted by TV/Radio presenter & Actor Cel Spellman. At all of our gigs we want to give our audience a whole experience: art that we believe and champion – as well as our own music.
UL: What does the rest of 2023 have in store for you?
AG: We’ll finish 2023 with a trio of headline gigs. Starting at the Cavern Club Liverpool (7th September), then the Peer Hat Manchester (22nd September) and finishing at The 100 Club London (8th November). Three of our favourite venues in the U.K. We will continue our collaboration with upcoming film makers and record a new live single in October. This will support our headline gig in London. We hope to record an album early in 2024 and to continue working with some of our favourite music producers.
Gustaffson’s single ‘Champagne Socialist’ is out now and can be streamed here.
Join the Convenience Gallery and the team from Spaces of Hope as they delve into the history of the Old Lairds Art school.
This event will feature a talk and Q&A session lead by Spaces of Hope researcher Dr. Michael Howcroft, who led on the research in Birkenhead, alongside members and attendees from the Old Birkenhead School of Art and the Laird Enterprise Trust.
Do you remember the Old Birkenhead School of Art? Would you like to learn about its role in the hidden history of community-led planning?
Researchers from the University of Sheffield have been investigating how local people and organisations across the UK have come together to fight for the future of their areas. Drawing on new archival research, oral histories, and a range of visual materials, their touring exhibition, ‘Spaces of Hope’, features an episode in the history of the Old Birkenhead School of Art – one of Birkenhead’s landmark buildings. You can view the exhibition as part of Gathering, at VOR. in Birkenhead.
This talk will delve into the history of this space, the community who occupied it and their vision for a brighter community. The talk is free to attend and will also be accompanied by a collaborative exhibition by Space of Hope and Convenience Gallery exploring the social and cultural history of Birkenhead.
Convenience Gallery is collaborating with Sugarshack Sound System to explore the history of underground soundsystem culture, jump up parties and illegal raves with a focus on Birkenhead’s history.
Sugarshack will be bringing the full sound system and crew for a one night only basement party exploring the sonic history of: Dub, Jungle, drum and bass, breakbeat and early house with historical figures from the scene soundtracking the night.
Join them for a one night only, audio visual and sonic adventure through the history of dance, covering a mix of genres from with a massive sound system in a truly unique underground venue.
Harry Tonks has certainly found his sound, having released a handful of singles throughout this year produced in West Kirby by the acclaimed Bill Ryder-Jones (The Coral). With influences ranging from Nick Drake to Jeff Buckley, Harry fills intimate settings with a full band, performing well-crafted songs about personal struggle.
With a debut album Over the Water due to be released later this year, Harry will be playing a headline show this October. He’s already performed a string of accomplished gigs, supporting Michael Head (Pale Fountains, Shack) and Butler, Blake and Grant (Teenage Fanclub, Suede), and a recent packed-out headline show at Leaf on Bold Street.
Harry’s work has received multiple BBC radio plays and he’ll be performing those tracks with a full band tonight, along with some new material too. If you’re a fan of honest and raw music, this isn’t one to miss.
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