Liverpool Loves Announce Festival Cultural Programme

Liverpool Loves Announce Festival Cultural Programme

The first phase of programming information for the cultural element of new Summer festival Liverpool Loves has been announced.

The new business and cultural festival that celebrates the best of life around the city region will take place over three days at Pier Head Liverpool from Thursday to Saturday, 6 to 8 August.

Organisers Orb CIC have announced that the Saturday (8 August) will be a free to attend ‘Festival Day’ with a cultural focus running from 10am to 10pm – a full 12 hours of excitement by the river.

The full day programme of entertainment and activities will span across various zoned areas to cover music, the arts, dance, comedy, food and drink, health and well-being, and family fun – creating a real festival atmosphere at the heart of the waterfront.

Liverpool Loves is the brainchild of city centre based events company Orb CIC, who created Liverpool Pride 2010 and is co-creator of the Brazilica Festival.

A whole host of local bands will provide a soundtrack to the day on the Bold Management Stage and prove that Liverpool Loves Music, curated by music industry expert Martin O’Shea. Confirmed performers so far include, Stephen Langstaff, Chelcee Grimes, Satin Beige and Shamanarchy - as well a full headline bill of established local acts still to be announced.

Dovedale Social and Merseyrail Sound Station will be on hand to present some of the very best new and emerging artists from the region, such as Merseyrail Sound Station’s winner in 2014, hip-hop starlet Blue Saint. Local musicians that would like to apply to play at the festival are being asked to contact info@liverpoolloves.co.uk.

Liverpool Loves Entertainment and there will be plenty of attractions to prove just why Liverpool is renowned as a ‘World in One City’ - with diverse cultural activities such as traditional Chinese dance, Indian dancing and music, Arabic and African music, street dancing, Free-Fall circus and much more. Liverpool Comedy Festival are curating a side-splitting comedy programme with top Liverpool comedians and there’ll also be pop-up performances from the Oh Yes Street Theatre Company.

A team of artists are creating a range of exciting installations, watch this space. There’ll be a street art exhibition by Zap Graffiti and full market of local crafters and vintage goods with Capstan’s Bazaar. Finally, book and poetry readings from local authors will be headed up by The Reader’s Organisation, offering up literary inspiration for all ages.

Sending the party out with a bang at the end of the night will be a mass singalong of The Beatles greatest classics like “All You Need is Love” and “Love Me Do”. Featuring hundreds of singers from Rock and Roll Choir and Liverpool Community Choir, the public are being asked to come along, join in and show their love for the city.

Festival Director Josh Boyd from Orb CIC commented: “We are extremely excited to release the first stage of announcements for Festival Day of Liverpool Loves. We’re programming in loads of dynamic artists and performances to bring together an authentic experience of everything that we all love about Liverpool – music, the arts, comedy and theatre – and the various zones will do just that.

“People can expect an interesting and vibrant site to meander through, giving a fantastic festival atmosphere. We are creating a new kind of event for the city, and it will be something very different to what people have seen before - our own mini-version of Glastonbury at the very heart of the waterfront.”

Liverpool Loves takes place 6 - 8 August 2015 at the city’s iconic Pier Head.

The new Liverpool Loves website is now live featuring regular updates www.liverpoolloves.co.uk

Follow us on Facebook/Liverpool Loves and Twitter @LiverpoolLoves

Stephen Langstaff and The Thespians play East Village Arts Club Liverpool

Thursday 12 December, £10 - 7pm
Over the last 12 months, Stephen Langstaff has sold out the Epstein Theatre and played to a packed house at the newly opened East Village Arts Club in his native Liverpool. He’s enjoyed multiple plays on Radio 2 of his song ‘Smile’ and has traveled the UK playing solo shows and mastering his live performance. Stephen has recently returned from a trip to Nashville after being invited to write songs with some of the finest writers that the Music City has to offer.

Stephen gave up the chance of a career as a professional footballer to pursue music. He was at Liverpool Football Club from the age of 9 to 15 and offered a contract at Blackpool. His passion for music soon outweighed football and he hung up his boots for good.

Stephen has been writing and performing since the age of 11 and has honed his haunting and soulful style to create raw and lingering tracks. His voice is soulful and raw, he delivers his songs with complete conviction.

He was the first unsigned solo act ever to headline the main room of Liverpool's 02 Academy, playing to 600 people. He has also notched up appearances at Chester Rocks (opening to 10,000 people), Cornbury, Kendal Calling, Liverpool Sound City, Latitude, Greenbelt and The Wicker Man festivals.

Having landed support slots with Merseyside legends including Echo and The Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch, Cast, Space and The Lightning Seeds, Stephen’s future as the next great Liverpool music export looks bright.

Support comes from Liverpool based band The Thespians. Having already been lorded by MTV New York and BBC Radio 2’s Janice Long, the band certainly has a Ramones-esque lovability and a real handle on the charismatic drive which can thrust a band into the big time. So get ready for a perfect example of what the band do best – foot stomping, skinny jean ripping, indified garage rock. 

Liverpool Music Awards Nominations Revealed

The nominees for the first ever Liverpool Music Awards were announced at Eric’s, Mathew Street on Wednesday October 10, during an evening of Liverpool music. With live performances from the newly reformed and platinum selling indie-pop band Space, ex Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb along with Stephen Langstaff and newcomers The Mono Lp’s, Mic Lowry, The Last Gambados, Miss Stylie and the cast of Mam I’m ‘Ere. The night was hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks, with local musicians including members of The Coral, The Zutons and the Lightning Seeds turning out to support the nominations.

Last week the judging panel met to deliberate and shortlist the categories. The panel includes; broadcaster Janice Long, BBC Radio Merseyside DJ Billy Butler and son Lee Butler from Radio City, founder of LIPA, Mark Featherstone-Witty, Jennifer John, artistic director of Sense of Sound, programme director for the MA in music industry studies at the University of Liverpool Dr Mike Jones, Simon Glinn, executive director of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall & events, Liverpool Echo music writer Jade Wright and BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks.

The One to Watch category will see alternative folk band All We Are, Wallasey four-piece Guardians and acoustic ensemble The Hummingbirds battle it out. Special mention went to 15 year old singer-songwriter Dominic Dunn who was too young to be nominated.

Nominated for male artist of the year is indie-pop folk singer Ali Ingle, the man dubbed the ‘Mersey Van Morrison’ Robert Vincent and the self-professed soul powered nerd, Esco Williams.

Female artist of the year will be between X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson, mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge and folk singer, songwriter and playwright Lizzie Nunnery.

Fighting it out for band of the year are five-piece synth rock/pop band Man Get Out, psychedelic folktronica group Stealing Sheep and the synth pop Tea Street Band.

Heavenly Records Stealing Sheep are also nominated for album of the year along with Bill Ryder Jones, the ex guitarist from The Coral and former Mercury Music Prize nominee Ian Mcnabb. In a year that has been tough for live music, The Caledonia, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and The Kazimier have been nominated for Live music venue of the year.

Award categories include; Live music venue of the year, Live music night of the year, artist manager/management team of the year, producer/production team of the year, recording studio of the year, record label of the year, single of the year, album of the year, female artist of the year, male artist of the year, band of the year, DJ of the year and one to watch.

The awards for Local music champion, The Roger Eagle award for outstanding contribution to music and lifetime achievement awards will be announced at the red-carpet ceremony, hosted by Radio 2 DJ Janice Long at The Dome Grand Central Hall on Saturday November 17.  On the night chart-topping band Lawson and Liverpool indie popstars The Wombats  will appear along with members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Liz McClarnon, with live performances including X Factor finalist Craig Colton and MOBO Unsung award winner Esco Williams. Funds raised on the night will be in aid of Youth Music charity.

"It's great to see such a range of genres included in the final shortlists, it really shows how diverse the music industry on Merseyside really is: right through from the musicians and managers to the venues and labels. It's also interesting that individuals at different stages in their careers have made the final cut: newcomers, those who are well established and those who have forged their way using none-traditional routes. Although I didn't sit in on the judging panel, the feedback that I received from the deliberations was really positive: there were heated discussion and not everyone agreed on everything, but that's the whole point in having a judging panel - they made collective decisions and compromise was always going to be crucial" says awards organiser Ellie Phillips.


Public voting is now open online at www.liverpoolmusicawards.com and tickets to the Liverpool Music Awards are available now through Ticketmaster.

Liverpool Music Award Nominations

One to watch sponsored by Andrew Collinge*
All We Are
Guardians
The Hummingbirds
*Special mention went to 15 year old singer-songwriter Dominic Dunn who was too young to be nominated

Male artist of the year
Ali Ingle
Robert Vincent
Esco Williams

Female artist of the year sponsored by Rare London

Kathryn Rudge
Lizzie Nunnery
Rebecca Ferguson

Band of the year
Man Get Out
Stealing Sheep
Tea Street Band

Single of the year sponsored by McEntegart Legal Limited

Bang On - Got It
Tea Street Band - Summer Dreaming
Sound of Guns - Antarctica

Album of the year
Stealing Sheep - Into the diamond sun
Bill Ryder Jones - If
Ian Mcnabb - Little Episodes

DJ of the year*
James Rand
Lee Butler
Bernie Connor
*Special mention: Anton Powers & Jessica Doyle

Live music venue of the year sponsored by Hotel Indigo

The Caledonia
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
The Kazimier

Manager/management team of the year sponsored by Haines Watts

Bold Management
Josh Mateer
Charlotte Bower

Producer/production team of the year sponsored by Fierce Management

Mike Cave
Rob Whiteley
Mike Crossey

Record label of the year*
Anti-Pop
Viper Recordings
3beat
*Special mention: Payper Tiger

Recording studio of the year
Elevator
Parr Street studios
Creative Minds Charity
*Special mention: Whitewood

Live music night of the year
Liverpool Acoustic
Monday Club
Harvest Sun presents
*Special mention: Festevol

Local music champion, Roger Eagle award for outstanding contribution to music and Lifetime achievement award will be announced at the Liverpool Music Awards ceremony.

Stephen Langstaff and Kristi Michele @ The Epstein Theatre Liverpool Friday 9 November

Stephen Langstaff is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s most prolific singer/songwriters. His approach is simple. Stephen writes powerful, haunting songs and delivers them with complete conviction. Like the man himself, they are instantly engaging and full of warmth.

He gave up the chance of a career as a professional footballer to pursue music. He was at Liverpool Football Club from the age of 9 to 15 and offered a contract at Blackpool. He started playing guitar aged 11 and his passion for music outweighed football.  

Soulful and brimming over with bare emotion, he has earned comparisons with Tracy Chapman and Jeff Buckley.  Like these artists, Stephen blesses the listener with something honest and direct. Growing up in the hotbed music city of Liverpool, Stephen began writing songs aged 11 and has gone on to write, record and self-release a large body of songs.

He has toured the UK as opening act for The Lightning Seeds and as part of the 02 Academy Tour. Stephen has also notched up appearances at Chester Rocks (opening to 10,000 people), Latitude, Greenbelt and The Wicker Man festivals.

Stephen Langstaff is a major talent. He faithfully follows the tradition of the hardworking singer/songwriter and is a breath of fresh air. His reputation continues to grow and who could blame anyone for not being able to keep quiet about him. He has the songs and he has the voice. His album Colours is out now.

Hailing from the dusty edges of Southern California, Kristi Michele is like a rainbow comprised of all the colors left over from many a rainy day. British folk, Broadway show tunes, Brill-Building pop, gypsy jazz, cabaret, and psychedelia are each influences on her songs, sometimes gentle folk ditties accompanied by a plucked acoustic guitar, other times vocal melodies layered as sweetly as tiramisu and set to Ragtime piano. Whatever the package, her songs evoke a time gone by. Her voice has the nostalgic quality of a vintage chanteuse, hinting at the torch singing of Billie Holiday, the wavering folk bellow of Maddy Prior, and the theatrical alto of a turn-of-the-century vaudevillian act.

http://stephenlangstaff.co.uk/

Liverpool Sound City debuts at The Epstein Theatre

Liverpool Sound City debuts at The Epstein

With days until Liverpool Sound City returns to the city, the organisers are proud to announce the artists taking to the stage at the city’s new Epstein Theatre as part of this 3 day art and music extravaganza.  From Thursday 17^th – Saturday 19^th May Liverpool will be home to an international music festival and conference, committed to bringing the best new music, film, art and creative talent from all over the world to venues across the city centre.

 With the recent unveiling of The Epstein Theatre as the brightest and coolest new venue in Liverpool  it’s only fitting that they play host to the best up and coming signed and unsigned talent from the UK and international music scene. Headlining each night in the opulent surroundings of The Epstein Theatre are Stephen Langstaff, Michael Kiwanuka and James Vincent McMorrow.

 General Manager of The Epstein Theatre, Christine Spriggs said 'We are very excited about the forthcoming Liverpool Sound City concerts that we are showcasing at the Epstein. They are all going to be cracking shows and we think that audiences are going to be thrilled to see them in our fantastic new theatre.'

It kicks off in a spectacular fashion on Thursday 17^th May with Stephen Langstaff, Electric Guest, Luke Fenlon and Dave Thomas set to perform. Portsmouth pianist and accordionist Dave Thomas will open Liverpool Sound City at The Epstein. Named “one of the most talented people on YouTube" Dave has already obtained a cult following through the social media website and is now set to take the first steps in forging a successful solo career. We are in no doubt that his performance at The Epstein will be the first of many critically acclaimed performances. With his songs touted as simple stories of love, life and death that have pervaded his life so far, Liverpool native Luke Fenlon has been endlessly compared to a young Dylan. Having previously supported The Wombats during Liverpool Sound City 2008 and a performance at the MUSEXPO Festival in LA Luke has received a worldwide publishing & recording deal in 2010. Electric Guest is the combined talents of duo Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton.  Hailing from Los Angeles Electric Guest excel  in soulful, funked up pop, creating ridiculously catchy tunes which are capturing the attention of those both sides of the pond.  Previously described as having “The voice of an angel with the power of a Tsunami” Stephen Langstaff is also set to headline the opening night. Citing Damien Rice, Tori Amos, Nirvana, The Beatles and Jeff Buckley as his influences Stephen will without a doubt set the mood for the remainder of the festival.

On Friday 18^th May, another great line-up, with acts Michael Kiwanuka, Jake Bugg, Thomas J Speight and Dead Cities gracing the stage.  Supporting emerging artist Michael Kiwanuka there are some equally fresh faced new comers to the music scene. Dead cities are a Liverpool based trio formed in late 2008 and their debut album 'This Killer Wave,' was released November of 2011 and received radio play from BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Merseyside. Having honed his craft sharing the stage with folk/acoustic royalty such as Johnny Flynn, Fionn Regan and Mumford and Sons Thomas J Speight has received critical acclaim for his latest EP from Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney.  Nottingham singer songwriter Jake Bugg has previously took to the stage at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage. His previous songs and this current single “Lightning Bolt” received raved reviews on BBC radio 1, 2 and 6. Having already being catapulted into the limelight as the Winner of BBC Sound of 2012, Michael Kiwanuka will be headlining Friday evening’s performances.  Having previously worked with R&B superstar Labrinth Michael has had the privilege of sharing the stage with rock and roll royalty such as Bon Jovi and Rod Stewart and has even supported women-of-the-moment Adele on her 2011 tour. Being compared to Bill Withers, Van Morrison and the Temptations Michael embodies the very definition of promising new stars.

Drawing Sound City at the Epstein Theatre to a close on Saturday 19^th May is the best of up and coming acoustic/folk musicians in the form of James Vincent McMorrow, Dan Croll, The Night and Hey Carrianne. Fronted by the gravelly voice of singer/songwriter Carrianne Hayden and backed up by the beautiful melodic ramblings of Mike Halls, Oliver Hardaker and Jake Foord, Hey Carrianne will be making their live debut of 2012 at this year’s Sound City Festival .Hey Carrianne weave frank tales of heartache with memorable guitar motifs and an understated rhythm section, creating a brand of pop that's sugared with Folk, Indie and Blues. Next up is The Night who are expected to set the stage on fire with their brilliant musical talents.  Helping draw the closing night to an end is the winner of the Musician’s Benevolent Fund Songwriting Award Dan Croll. This Liverpudlian singer/songwriter has previously shared the stage with Friday’s headliner Michael Kiwanuka.  His single 'Home,' was picked up by Q and placed in their essential downloads list for 2012 and his upcoming debut album is set to be one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Rounding off at The Epstein we have an Irish folk music singer-songwriter who has been compared to Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and Ray LaMontagne. European Border Breakers Award winner James Vincent McMorrow has performed on the prestigious stage of BBC Two’s Later... with Jools Holland and his debut album was released in February 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. James has the added accolade of having many of his self penned tracks making up the soundtrack to American television programmes such as Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf.

With wristbands available for both individual days and the entire three days Liverpool Sound City is the pinnacle event which brings the innovations in art, culture and music to the very heart of the city. This brand new unison with the Epstein Theatre will further cement the venue as one of the jewels in the Liverpool musical and cultural crown. 

LISTING INFORMATION

Liverpool Sound City @ The Epstein

The Epstein Theatre

Hanover House

85 Hanover Street

Liverpool

L1 3DZ

Prices

14+ Wristbands: £15

Thursday Wristband: £25

Friday Wristband: £25

Saturday Wristband: £25

3 Day Wristband: £55

LSC Delegates Wristband: £150

Thursday 17^th May

Epstein Theatre

Stephen Langstaff - 22:00-23:30

Electric Guest - 21:00-21:30

Luke Fenlon - 20:00-20:30

Dave Thomas - 19:00-19:30

Friday 18^th May

Epstein Theatre

Michael Kiwanuka -22:00-23:30

Jake Bugg - 21:00-21:30

Thomas J Speight - 20:00-20:30

Dead Cities - 19:00-19:30

Saturday 19^th May

Epstein Theatre

James Vincent McMorrow - 22:00-23:30

Dan Croll - 21:00-21:30

The Night - 20:00-20:30

Hey Carrianne - 19:00-19:30

For more information visit the new theatre website at

www.theepsteintheatreliverpool.co.uk

For more information regarding Liverpool Sound City visit the website at

http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

Article posted by Musicmafia

Stephen Langstaff @ 02 Academy Liverpool

Stephen Langstaff is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s most prolific singer songwriters. Stephen began writing and performing his work from the tender age of 11 and into his teens, never lost the passion to create. His songs are both powerful and subtle. They engage you instantly with evocative and haunting melodies, brimming over with bare emotion.

His voice is unique. Stephen’s soulful style has earned him exciting comparisons with artists such as Jeff Buckley, Tracy Chapman and David Gray. Like these artists, Stephen blesses the listener with something honest and direct.

Stephen has made several festival appearances and was invited onto the 02 ‘Academy Live’ tour, designed to promote the UK’s newest and most exciting artists. He has also toured as opening act for the Lightning Seeds, once again captivating new audiences and critics.

Stephen Langstaff is a major talent. He follows the tradition of the hardworking singer/songwriter and is a breath of fresh air in these days of mass marketed idols. His reputation continues to grow and who could blame anyone for not being able to keep quiet about him. He has the songs and he has the voice. This ambitious artist emerging out of Liverpool seems to be the city’s worst kept secret.

http://stephenlangstaff.co.uk/?p=37

http://stephenlangstaff.co.uk/?p=32

http://stephenlangstaff.co.uk/