Multiple venues in Birkenhead will host the Future Now music festival over two days this weekend featuring both international and local artists. Tony McDonough reports

Birkenhead will see the return of the Future Now music festival over two days this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25, Future Now will see live performances at multiple locations in the town centre. This event originally grew out of a festival in 2019 organised by Future Yard CIC as part of Wirral’s Borough of Culture celebrations.

Future Yard in Argyle Street is among the locations hosting live music. Main stage will be at Birkenhead Town Hall. Other venues are the new Joy building on the corner of Hamilton Square, and Make Hamilton on Argyle Street, which will become the festival hub.

Headlining the Town Hall stage on Saturday are alternative pop/rock act Everything Everything, with Nadine Shah closing the show in the venue on Sunday.

Both headliners have released new albums this year which have received glowing praise in the press and will attract new audiences to Birkenhead.

Nubiyan Twist return to Future Yard to headline their Garden stage on Saturday and Birkenhead’s-own She Drew The Gun headlines outdoors on Sunday.

They join a line-up of Future Yard favourites old and new including Jane Weaver, bdrmm, Hamish Hawk, The Lovely Eggs and Girl Ray. Recent local additions to the festival bill include, Alright (okay), Blck Utah, Bright Town, Cheery, Claire Welles and Cothel.

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Craig Pennington, co-founder and chief executive of Future Yard CIC, said: “We’ve always believed that music can change lives – and our area – for the better.

“With local talent nurtured through our programmes being showcased alongside internationally renowned artists, and supported by a team that includes our Sound Check trainees, Future Now will show how music is making a real difference to local people and our town.”

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Cllr Ann Ainsworth, vice-chair of Wirral’s Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee, added: “Music will always attract and inspire people, which is why Future Now is such an important part of our Borough of Culture programme.

“If you are interested in new music, Birkenhead really is the place to be this Bank Holiday weekend.”