It’s no secret that Liverpool has a deep routed and diverse musical history. From Merseybeat to the famous Cavern Club, to Billy Fury and undoubtedly our most successful export, the Beatles, the city’s heart certainly beats to a tune – and the city’s relationship with music is set to be commemorated again as Liverpool International Music Festival 2015 gets underway.
Since the once-loved Matthew Street Festival was axed in 2013, the Liverpool International Music Festival has become our opportunity to celebrate our musical heritage and a platform to showcase global music, including talent nurtured and developed right here in the city, with an experimental but accessible programme.
Consisting of Commissions, Academy and the grand finale Summer Jam, this year LIMF takes place from Thursday 27th to Monday 31st August. Set to take place across a number of iconic Liverpool venues, organisers anticipate an audience of thousands, including visitors from outside the city.
Organisers describe LIMF is ‘an inherently different festival representing the latest chapter of an ever-evolving global music city’. This year, they say, presents its most ambitious and vibrant programme to date, and Liverpool gets set to welcome a variety of internationally renowned acts and artists, including Basement Jaxx, Labrinth, Laura Mvula, Alesha Dixon and our personal favourites, The Real Thing.
Sefton Park is described as ‘the beating heart of the festival’ and will entail four main stages or areas, including:
It’s Liverpool Stage
Head to the itsliverpool Stage for what promises to be a showcase like no other. It’s the evolving sound of a city where music always takes centre stage.
Acadamy
The Academy Stage will showcase twenty of the region’s hottest up and coming young acts, along with a number of free music workshops and activities for all to enjoy.
Bandstand
The Bandstand is programmed by Mellowtone, bringing a selection of folk, blues, roots, soul, and emerging acoustic (ish) talent to LIMF Summer Jam.
Children and families zone
Evoking the spirit of a traditional family garden party, with innovative and interactive flourishes aimed at families and young people – offering a respite from the hullabaloo of the festival in a vibrant, eclectic and exciting fun-filled area of entertainment and activity.
The BBC experience
The BBC experience is a pop-up roadshow touring the UK, giving audiences across the country the opportunity to interact with BBC content and services – and will be making Sefton Park its home for the Bank Holiday weekend. Come along and try your hand at reading the news, presenting the weather, make a radio drama or commentate on a sports match.
There will also be demonstrations by the BBC Blue Room, which showcases all the different ways that you can access the BBC, a chance to meet CBeebies characters and an opportunity to come away with a photograph of Doctor Who.
The BBC Experience is free so why not head over during its opening times over the weekend.
For more information or to access the full LIMF programme, please visit www.limfestival.com/