Halcyon Syncopators are a group of like-minded South Liverpool musicians, who love playing big-band dance music from the 1930s.
The group are playing a special Syncopating into Spring show at Sefton Park Cricket Club, 14 April, 8pm. Tickets cost just £5.
See here for tickets.
Society of Losers bring a legend of British music to Future Yard, songwriter Frances McKee of The Vaselines.
The band who Kurt Cobain was quoted as calling “my favourite songwriters in the whole world”, The Vaselines were originally comprised of Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee and had a career spanning three decades and were signed to lofty labels such as Sub Pop and Rough Trade.
The group were part of the alternative jangle pop scene that was born in Scotland then spread its influence across the world. Frances released her own solo LP Sunny Moon in 2006 and was also a member of Suckle.
Future Yard are hyped to be welcoming influential Detroit hip hop dons Slum Village to Future Yard in April 2023.
Original member T3 is joined by Grammy-nominated producer Young RJ in holding down the legacy of this legendary outfit which spawned a new style of hip hop and launched the career of J Dilla.
Chances are, if you are anywhere near the Detroit music scene, you have heard of the influential hip hop trio that makes up Slum Village.
The group was founded in the early 90s by three childhood friends: Baatin, T3, rapper and producer J Dilla, who all grew up together in the Conant Gardens neighborhood of Detroit, MI.
A huge electronic music showcase with no less than five ground-breaking artists is coming to The Capstone Theatre in Liverpool on Saturday 22nd April.
Ian Boddy’s Tone Science label, a spin-off from DiN Records, is bringing Scanner (Robin Rimbaud), Ian Boddy, Polypores, Nigel Mullaney, Field Lines Cartographer and music from La Monte Young to the city in what promises to be a spectacular showcase.
For lovers of electronic music and all things synth, this event is not to be missed, as some of the most talented artists of the genre are coming together for this ‘mini-festival’. The extended-length Tone Science Concert will feature sets from some of the most creative and ground-breaking musicians in the field.
Cream-pop from the Devonshire coast. Future Yard are thrilled to be welcoming Pale Blue Eyes to Future Yard on Thursday 1st June.
A young electro-modernist guitar group with horizon-wide pop and compelling rhythms built on the great German kosmische Musik and alt-rock sounds at their most artful.
They join the venue in Birkenhead this summer off the back of the the release of their debut album Souvenirs last year, released via Full Time Hobby.
Future Yard are overjoyed to be playing host to one of the most arresting artists operating in the UK today. Alison Cotton is a viola player / vocalist based in London.
She spent almost the last two decades performing in bands – as well as her solo work, she is one half of the Walthamstow based band The Left Outsides – and collaborating with other musicians. As well as the viola, she uses an array of other instruments (her voice, harmonium, percussion, recorder, omnichord, shruti, piano etc) to create long, haunting folk drones.
2020’s Only Darkness Now LP was released to critical acclaim, and was followed up with a six-track album titled The Portrait You Painted Of Me on Rocket Recordings (and Feeding Tube in the USA). As with Alison’s previous solo albums, the touchstones of her immersive sound are viola, harmonium and voice, merged together to create a rich suite of songs.
Support on the night comes from Meilir and Fend (DJ set).
Join the knowledgeable guides as they transport you on a journey of Liverpool’s unique history… From ‘World Capital of Pop’ to Eurovision.
Start times vary, with the first tour on 10 May starting at 12pm. See here for full details.
Liverpool and music are synonymous, thanks to a rich and diverse music history that reaches back to the 18th century.
As the city developed into a thriving port, so too did its links with the Americas, Africa and Asia – resulting in a unique blend of cultures which contributed to the city’s ever-evolving music DNA.
Generation upon generation, Liverpool’s music scene blossomed, with grand concert halls, music clubs, pubs, societies and associations all playing their part in harnessing a distinctive cultural wealth.
This rich and diverse combination of cultures led to the emergence of The Beatles and the Merseybeat music movement of the 1960s, which was closely followed by the rise of Eric’s and the eruption of an influential post-punk scene during the 1970s and 1980s.
This medley of musical influences ensures that the city also has bragging rights to the UK’s oldest orchestral institution, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Liverpool is also the birthplace of the global EDM brand of Cream, which originated as a ‘super club’ during the 1990s.
Taking all of the above into account, it is hardly any wonder why the city is recognised as a UNESCO City of Music, as well as ‘World Capital of Pop’ by the Guinness Book of Records.
Now, we can add ‘Eurovision Host City 2023’ as another string to our bow.
Please note, the From ‘World Capital of Pop’ to Eurovision guided tour is available on a limited number of time slots, from Wednesday 10 – Saturday 13 May.
Tickets are £16.50 per person a tour and can be booked via Ticket Quarter.
Africa Oyé, the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture returns to Sefton Park on 17 & 18 June 2023.
Africa Oyé have revealed the headliners for their 2023 festival taking place this summer in Liverpool. The Saturday of the two-day free festival will see dancehall and reggae artist, Tanya Stephens close proceedings, whilst the Sunday will be headlined by Seun Kuti – son of the legendary afrobeat star, Fela Kuti – with his band, Egypt 80.
Following an incredible 30th anniversary year in 2022, one of Merseyside’s most picturesque green spaces will once again be filled with the music and culture of Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora, for two free days of live music, workshops, DJ stages, food stalls and a range of traders in the Oyé Village.
Seun Kuti is the youngest son of legendary Afrobeat godfather and political activist, Fela Kuti. As well as his unprecedented influence on music across the continent, Fela was prolific in his opposition to the corruption of Nigerian government officials and the mistreatment of Nigerian citizens.
Tanya Stephens has been lauded as one of Jamaica’s “most gifted songwriters” (Reggae Vibes Magazine), with her compositions receiving critical acclaim and comparisons to legendary names like Bob Marley. Lauded as one of the “top female artists in Jamaica” by The Washington Post, Tanya speaks of partying, heartbreak, social change and human rights violations with equal comfort and dexterity from previously voiceless perspectives.
Other acts performing over the weekend include Ghanian highlife stars, FRA!, Cameroonian soloist, Veeby and guitarist, percussionist and balafón player, Kimi Djabaté, plus many more.
Beginning over three decades ago in 1992 as a series of shows in the city centre, the Africa Oyé Festival has evolved into one of Liverpool’s most beloved annual events, attracting artists and attendees from across the world.
One of the most popular areas of festival, The Oyé Active Zone – which hosts free multi-arts workshops across the whole weekend – will return this summer, alongside a brand new Toddler Zone, catering for the youngest festival goers, and the acclaimed DJ stages Trenchtown and Freetown.
More main stage artists are set to be revealed soon, along with news on the festival’s Oyé Introduces programme which sees up-and-coming local talent showcased on the line-up alongside the international heavyweights.
The festival’s commitment to being ‘free and open to all’ also means that the Access Tent, British Sign Language on-stage translators and Access Viewing Platform will also all return for this year’s extravaganza. Those wanting to support the festival and help keep the event free and open to all and can do so by donating via africaoye.com.
This year’s Africa Oyé festival will take place on June 17 and 18 2023, in Liverpool’s Sefton Park from 12:30pm til 9:30pm both days and entrance is free.
Image Credit: Mark McNulty
Head along for this special inaugural concert given by Liverpool Brass Band (formerly Formby Band).
The concert is held at St. Phillips Church, Litherland, 17 March, 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the church or by contacting:
Pat Martin – 051 922 4941 or Rev Andrew – 0151 928 4817
Georgian-British singer-songwriter and musician Katie Melua has announced her huge Love & Money UK tour, in support of her brand new album of the same name due to be released in spring 2023.
Katie will perform her classic hits including ‘Nine Million Bicycles’ and ‘The Closest Thing To Crazy’, plus songs from the new album.
In 2021, Katie released her album Acoustic Album No. 8 – the record was widely recognised whilst also scoring her eighth consecutive UK top 10 studio album. This summer she teamed up with violinist, composer, and Grammy award-winning sound engineer, Simon Goff for their collaborative album Aerial Objects.