Threshold Festival 2013 - Review

Threshold Festival returned for it's third year at the weekend, and this year, as promised, was bigger and better than ever. Held in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool City Centre, which is now synonymous with all things arty, it was the ideal area for this grass roots multi arts festival.

With an opening night full of fire and aerial artists including Iosis Aerial Acrobatics, quirky music acts, acoustic sets and a few excellent bands, including, "The Tone Puppets" who excelled in Furnace, thanks to their strong vocals and rock bass lines and the brilliant, "Fidel Afro" who provided an enegrtic set in Elevator that combined 90's indie rock with a whole lot of punk rock, especially with. "Soul Hit". Best song of Friday night had to go to them, with the minutes before named, "Arr Aye Lad", which was laden with gutiar riffs Noel Gallagher would be proud of.

All in all, it was a great taster of what we could expect over the rest of the weekend.

Saturday, was a massive line up of many musical genres, from soul to folk to the lovably eccentric "Paddy Steers Three Pronged Audio Band", who provided a very surreal set of psychedelic jazz, once they'd managed to get their bass clarinet sorted out and how the saxaphone player managed to play with his giant papier mache head on deserved a round of applause for that fete alone. 

Also on the Saturday cards was Mobo Winner and Liverpool's very own Esco Williams, whose flawless vocals traveled across the Paper Garden room in Camp and Furnace, accompanied with a full band, he transfixed the audience with a polished performance, especially with "Just Friends"

Another great performance over the weekend has to go to Rob Vincent, who was headlining over at Elevator, who were triumphing all things acoustic, and who better to finish their night off for them than Rob. With little gems like, "The Bomb" and "November" to capture and hold the attention of the audience, Rob Vincent creates a warm atmosphere with his country/folk music style and his smooth vocals ebbing over every note, throw in his personality and you have one hell of a performer, that you can listen to for ages.

Sunday saw a wind down to Threshold and a much more chilled out ambiance everywhere. With an arts and crafts workshop running at Camp and Furnace, specializing in lots of lovely things for Mothers Day, it had a nice family friendly feel to it, and the folk and acoustic mood helped peoples creativity along, especially from, "Bear Beats Band". Meanwhile over at Elevator, Stevie Banks, certainly knew how to wake people up with a superb performance of a modern day one man band. With his guitar, blasting out and his feet stamping away on a drum pad and his raw vocals, it was great to watch this talented young man perform with such confidence and portray so much talent in his short set.

So all in all, I can say that Threshold Festival 2013 provided one hell of a music and arts extravaganza this weekend, in one of the most friendliest environments I've been to in a while and with so much talent on offer, I only wish I could review them all, but I'd be writing War And Peace, as the talent and variety was so vast. Hopefully we'll be able to get round to you all next year. 

Review by Alison Goggin

Liverpool Music Awards 2012

This Saturday saw the first Liverpool Music Awards take place at the Grand Dome Central. The night saw a gathering of musicians and music industry people coming together to celebrate the music produced,performed and celebrated in Liverpool.

With the likes of Mel C (of spice girls fame) and Liverpool Band The Wombats announcing rewards most couldn't argue with the calibre of guests and artists at the awards.

Hosted by Janice Long, who gave a confident and professional  presentation throughout, announced the guests and artists performing of which included MOBO winner Esco Williams, Charlie Blue, Lawson and X-Factor singer Craig Colton to name but a few. 

Winners on the night included Rebbecca Ferguson for best female, Hummingbirds as the Ones to Watch, Single of the year going to the Tea Street Band for Summer Dreaming, Ali Ingle for best male artist.

The show on a whole was a great addition to the music scene and celebrating Liverpool talent and teams/people behind it. 

My only reservation to the night was the organisation of the event and of the people that matter most, (who without them there wouldn't be an awards show), the paying public. Leaving people standing outside for over an hour without a word of explanation is not the best way to start an inaugural event. The somewhat clueless security and staff, peering through the glass doors didn't help and the confusion continued once into the event with staff not knowing where people were to be seated or even where their passes/tickets were located. 

This was in stark contrast to the V.I.P. section who enjoyed red carpets and champagne receptions. I just hope that this doesn't go the way of most UK events where the people that have gone to the trouble to support, buy tickets and vote for the artists and events are over-looked. There wasn't even any acknowledgement from most of the recipients of the awards that the public were even in the building.

But aside from that, the whole event went without hitch and brought together a varied mix of musicians and artists and allowed the up and coming to mingle with the established in great surroundings and a celebratory atmosphere. 

Winners
Live Music Night - Liverpool Acoustic
Producer - Mike Cave
Live Music Venue - Kazimier
Record Label - 3Beat
Manager - Charlotte Bowers
Single - Tea Street Band "Summer Dreaming"
One To Watch - The Hummingbirds
DJ - Lee Butler
Band Of The Year - Stealing Sheep
Recording Studio - Parr Street
Male Artist - Ali Ingle
Female Artist - Rebecca Ferguson
Album - Ian McNabb "Little Episodes"
Local Music Champion - Phil Hayes (The Picket)
Outstanding Contribution - Dave Pichilingi
Lifetime Achievement - Roger Hill

Mel C announced to appear at Liverpool Music Awards

Mel C to join Lawson, The Wombats, Liz McClarnon and Esco Williams at the first ever Liverpool Music Awards  - Saturday 17 November 2012

Melanie C has announced that she will appear at the inaugural Liverpool Music Awards. The Widnes-born singer will present one of the awards at the ceremony on Saturday November 17.

Melanie has just finished a 21-date arena tour of the UK and Ireland, performing as Mary Magdalene in Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

She says: “I loved being back in Liverpool and am really excited to be part of the first ever Liverpool Music Awards”.

Also confirmed to present an award is blues legend Connie Lush. The singer, who grew up on Scotland Road, is recognised as one of the finest blues singers that the UK has ever produced, winning international awards and touring the world. As BB King said “That Woman makes my heart sing.”

Connie says: “Any awards that are given, always encourage people to aim high, it feeds ambitions, I am so happy to be involved with our own Liverpool Music Awards.”

Liverpool indie popstars The Wombats will be presenting an award along with members of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Liz McClarnon, Mike Di Scala and BBC Radio Merseyside’s Dave Monks.

The red-carpet event, hosted by Radio 2 DJ Janice Long, will also see performances from X Factor finalist Craig Colton and MOBO Unsung award winner Esco Williams, the Sense of Sound Choir and Mark Simpson, the first person ever to win both the BBC's young composer and BBC Young Musician in the same year.

Also performing collaborations on the night are Katie Taylor, Ivy and The Chance, Manukah, Jamie Broad, Susan Hedges, Stereo Electric Mistress and Charley Blue.

Lawson, fronted by Liverpool singer Andy Brown, will be playing a set on the night, as well as presenting an award.

Andy says: “We're looking forward to performing at the first ever Liverpool Music Awards and it will be an honour to present an award on the evening as Liverpool music has had such a massive influence on me.”

The ceremony at The Dome Grand Central on Saturday, November 17 will see performances from more than 50 Liverpool musicians from a wide range of genres, performing in different collaborations.

Awards organiser Ellie Phillips says: “I’m absolutely ecstatic that the Liverpool Music Awards have the support of such huge music stars. They will really help bring national and even international attention to the awards, and in turn to the musical talent and music industries which we have in Liverpool.”

Set to become an annual event, the Liverpool Music Awards will honour the heroes of the music industry in our city: not only local musicians, but also those behind the scene, who facilitate and inspire others to create and perform on Merseyside. While the scope of the awards provides opportunity to celebrate musical achievements which have gone beyond the borders of our city, at their core the awards are for those who are currently active in Liverpool.

The judging panel includes; broadcaster Janice Long, BBC Radio Merseyside DJ Billy Butler and son Lee Butler from Radio City, founder of LIPA, Mark Featherstone-Witty, 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, BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks artistic director of Sense of Sound, Jennifer John.

Tickets are available to the public via the website www.liverpoolmusicawards.com

First artists confirmed for Liverpool Music Awards

Chart-topping boyband Lawson, Liverpool indie popstars The Wombats will be appearing at the first Liverpool Music Awards ceremony next month.

The red-carpet event, hosted by Radio 2 DJ Janice Long, will also see performances from X Factor finalist Craig Colton and MOBO Unsung award winner Esco Williams, Mark Simpson, the first person ever to win both the BBC's young composer and BBC Young Musician in the same year along with Ian Prowse, Cold Shoulder and the Sense of Sound Choir.

Presenters for the awards, which will be held on Saturday November 17 at The Dome Grand Central Hall, include members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liz McClarnon, Mike Di Scala and The Wombats.

Funds raised on the night will be in aid of Youth Music. All of the proceeds from a raffle held on the night will go to the charity which uses music to transform the lives of children and young people.

Youth Music recently funded the Roscoe Youth Music Project, which mentored a number of young bands on Merseyside over the past 12 months. One of the bands Ivy and The Chance have been selected to perform at the ceremony in a collaboration with the incredible Sense of Sound Choir.

A host of Merseyside-based companies have been brought on board to ensure the night is flawless including Mills Media Group, Say It With Flours, Amber Outside Catering, Fierce Management.

"I couldn't be happier with the lineup - especially with the fact that some of the artists are writing songs together especially for the night, or songs that will be debuted on the night. I really wanted to create a night that would be completely unique and it's definitely set to be that! It is such an honour to have Janice Long host the whole ceremony - she is such a legend, both locally and far beyond" says Awards organiser Ellie Phillips.

Collaborations on the night will come from artists including: Lawson, Ian Prowse, Jamie Broad, Charley Blue, Cold Shoulder, Craig Colton, Susan Hedges, Mark Simpson, Esco Williams, Sense of Sound Choir, Ivy and The Chance, Katie Taylor, Stereo Electric Mistress, Manukah and more to be announced. Presenters of awards will include: Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Liz McClarnon, Mike Di Scala and The Wombats.

Last week the judging panel met to deliberate and shortlist all 15 award 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, BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks, Craig G Pennington, editor and publisher of music magazine Bido Lito!

The panel was chaired by Chris Bye, Music Manager for Arts Council England. "Arts Council England is proud to be involved in the Liverpool Music Awards. Organisations like the RLPO, Africa Oye and Sound City, not to mention the hundreds of musicians, clubs, pubs and promoters all demonstrate that Liverpool is host to one of the richest music scenes in the world. These awards look set to showcase some amazing talent and we would like to wish them all the very best of luck" says Chris.

The shortlisted nominees will be announced on October 10 at Eric’s on Mathew Street during an evening of live music hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks.

The following day public voting will open online at www.liverpoolmusicawards.com

Tickets to the awards are available now through Ticketmaster

Esco Williams, Chelcee Grimes and friends celebrate 10 years of Liverpool's Positive Impact in Birthday Bash gig at Epstein Theatre

Liverpool’s most inspirational youth training and production company Positive Impact celebrates 10 years of taking young people from the streets to stardom this October. To mark the anniversary a concert – PI’s 10th Birthday Bash - featuring big names from the Positive Impact stable, some top guest acts and some fresh new Positive Impact protégées will take place at the Epstein Theatre on 21 October.

The Toxteth-based company gives young people from all backgrounds, and often deprived areas, a creative outlet, and chance to fulfil their potential. One of their biggest success stories is the winner of this year’s MOBO Unsung Award, Esco Williams. This self-professed ‘soul powered nerd’ has also been named one of MTV’s top 20 Brand New artists for 2012. Joining Esco for the Birthday Bash will be young male vocal harmony group MiC LOWRY. Although only formed in 2011 and ranging in age from 16-18, the talented fivesome is already attracting national recognition. Another of Positive Impact’s young artists joining the bill is Taylor Fowlis. At just 14 years old she has already been singing for several years and has a voice big enough to blow even Beyonce away.  This quirky edgy teen is already a YouTube sensation amassing over 120,000 hits.

Guest artists Coffee and Cakes For Funerals will also join the headlining Positive Impact artists for this concert. Consisting of 4 young men from the Anfield area, their sweet r&b/soul melodies are an unexpected treat. Positive Impact are also very excited to announce that pop singer/songwriter Chelcee Grimes will join the bill as a guest artiste.

In addition to this range of experienced headline acts, the first half of the evening will be dedicated to showcasing some exciting up and coming talent from the Positive Impact stable. 16 year old swing singer Danny Pye has all the charisma of a young Michael Buble, while Yasmeen Ali is a 16 year old soul singer with a range and ability that belies her years. Joining them for this showcase will be the PI Dancers, showcasing both contemporary and street dance routines.

The talented MD Productions will also perform alongside the Positive Impact artists as guest dancers.

Barbara Phillips, Creative Director at Positive Impact said:
“I don't mean to sound corny but 10 years really have flown!  During this time we have produced, and in some cases written and composed several successful musicals and shows not only in Liverpool but around the country (including a week at Edinburgh Fringe), received a Sony nomination for creating an original radio drama series 'The Grove' broadcast on BBC Merseyside, waved 20 of our young people off to University, mentored and developed young people to take up musical theatre roles whilst also making waves in the music industry - the highlight being Esco Williams receiving a MOBO UnSung Award for 2012. It’s been a great year on a personal level too as I won a Merseyside Woman of the Year 2012 Award for Arts & Culture... Looking forward to what we will achieve in the next 10 years!”
Positive Impact helps young people use their spare time constructively, fulfilling their creative potential and opening up a world of opportunity. PI’s 10th Birthday Bash will showcase just some of the amazing Liverpool talent this company has to offer. 

Performance Details:
PI’s 10th Birthday Bash
Epstein Theatre
Hanover St, Liverpool
Sunday 21 Oct, doors 6pm, show start 7.30pm
Tickets £6, £12

HOW TO BOOK
Box Office: 0844 888 4411* or online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk*

Kof Plays O2 Academy Liverpool with full live band

For all the Liverpool and N-W peeps, local talent Kof has his first Liverpool Headline show of the year, coming up next Sat - 30th July @ the 02 Academy Liverpool.
He will be performing with a FULL BAND and showcasing some of his new tracks for the first time! It would be great if you can be there.

Tickets are on sale NOW: http://www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk/event/29835/kof-tickets
(hate the picture that they have used lol)

Support comes from Karl Sweeney and the Sweet Knees, Esco Williams, Future, Kobi Onyame and more.

For the over 18s we will be throwing an afterparty too...