Last weekend saw the return of award-winning festival Liverpool Loves, which organisers Orb CIC are hailing as an ‘overwhelming success’ with thousands of people in attendance across its two new locations.

The free two-day event returned to Liverpool city centre for its third year, taking place across two locations, Derby Square and Liverpool ONE.

Audiences at Derby Square, which housed the main stage, enjoyed a selection of music from established and up-and-coming local artists.

Highlights across the weekend included performances from Milo Tain, Stillia, Sub Blue, Red Rum Club, Edgar Jones, and a headline performance from singer-songwriter Robert Vincent.

The Sunday evening also saw a surprise performance from Liverpool band Cabuzedos, when Liverpool Loves organisers stood in and offered them a set on the main stage after their slot at Hope and Glory festival was cancelled.

In Liverpool ONE, thousands of families participated in Yoga, Tai-Chi, Bushido Karate, Samba Dancing and Cheerleading.

Kids were entertained with demonstrations from Bring the Fire Project showing off their circus skills and Liverpool hoop dancing company Stay Beautiful.

Thomas Steers Way hosted local and international music, dance and community groups.

Highlights included Liverpool’s Liv Pritchard, ukulele band D’Ukes of Hazzard, Viva Brasil Samba and The Anahis, and a special performance from Liverpool Loves Superstars – a Lottery-funded initiative bringing children and young people together from across North Liverpool for a masterclass in dance and performance.

Festival Director Josh Boyd said: “Liverpool Loves has firmly established itself as a key festival in the city’s annual events calendar – and this year the crowds again turned out to support the event. Liverpool Loves is the people’s festival, giving new talent and independents a much-needed platform and opportunity to showcase what they’re all about. This year we moved to two new sites at Derby Square and Liverpool ONE which proved popular with festivalgoers, so we’d like to thank everyone for their continued support. We’re already planning for next year so we look forward to coming back bigger and better for a fourth consecutive year.”