Strings and Things 3rd Birthday Event - Studio 2 Parr Street Liverpool

Strings and Things 3rd Birthday Event - Studio 2 Parr Street Liverpool

In June 2012 Stillhet Music was born out of the desire of its founders Ian Weller and Liam Adlen to put on events that were set up, promoted and operated with the artist at their very heart. Their idea was to run Stillhet as a musical co-operative with the acts that performed for them, to give them a quality stage to showcase their talents free from the pre-gig burdens of pay to play, with the simple deal that at end of the night every single penny taken goes only to the performers.

Over the last 3 years Stillhet Music has hosted performances by over 150 local, UK and international artists across its events 'Strings and Things', 'Midweek Melodies' and 'Stillhet Sessions'.  Ian Weller explains ''our events are all about diversity and curating a show that progresses with many different genres from punk to pop, folk to funk, rock to r&b to expose new audiences to music they may not have otherwise had chance to enjoy.  That’s how we landed on the name of our flagship event that any given show would be an exciting mixed bag full of strings….and many other things!''

They certainly have achieved this aim and their judgement in curation has been on point with so many of the artist going on to prominence on the music scene such as Frances, Anna Pancaldi and Alex Hulme.  Liam agrees ''nothing makes us more proud to have an artist play on our stage, often in their first full gig, to then breakthrough and make it in today's tough music industry''

Alex Hulme, currently on his UK Tour said ‘’Stillhet, like many event organisers promise great crowds and an amazing atmosphere and platform for new and established artists to show there stuff.  Unlike many of their rivals they truly deliver on these promises and to top it off they're a great bunch to work with.  I thoroughly enjoyed the shows I have done for Stillhet and would recommend their shows to Artists and music lovers alike’’

On Sunday 07 June at its Studio2 Parr St home Strings and Things turns 3 and they are having a special birthday show to celebrate.  Ian Weller explains ''we are being blessed with performances from old friends of Stillhet like Helena Johnson, Bowker and the Mersey Belles plus the rising stars of Far Flung Funk and Fabia…..and have special guests lined up too, not to mention cake!''  

Stillhet Music continues to be real success on Liverpool's burgeoning music scene welcoming hundreds of music lovers month after month always looking for the next artist and new sound that will set their stage alight.

The final word from Ian Weller ''you've got to remember Stillhet operates as a musical co-operative and we couldn't have reached 3 years without the commitment of all the artists we've worked with and the amazing support of our home venue Studio2 who share our passion for new music'.

Event: Strings and Things 3rd Birthday Party!

Date: Sunday 07 June 2015

Doors: 19:30 till 23:30 

Venue: Studio2, Parr St, Liverpool

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/thesubsound 

Twitter: @stillhet_music

Benjamin Booker extended music video and live dates - O2 Academy, Liverpool

 Benjamin Booker extended music video and live dates - O2 Academy, Liverpool

In a double-length video for two songs from his debut album, the punk-influenced blues singer struggles with civil rights issues that we can’t seem to settle. 

“We've all got iPhones and are talking about taking people to Mars, but look at how much we haven't changed. The ‘future,’ a time when all this violence and hatred is looked at as barbaric seemed so far away to me.” – Benjamin Booker

In a new extended music video featuring the tracks “Slow Coming” and “Wicked Waters”, Benjamin Booker moves through a single day multiple times on a loop. Ann Powers at NPR Music describes the short film as “a kind of mash-up of Selma and Beasts of the Southern Wild, with Booker as an unwilling time traveler drawn into an incident of racist violence recalling both the segregated Deep South and current controversial police actions.”

Via NPR Music’s The Record you can watch the short film HERE and read the full QandA between Benjamin and Ann Powers about its themes.

"Contemporary issues that the video references are repetitions of events we have watched happen many times before," Director James Lees explained. "We seem unable, as a society, to break this loop."

Forthcoming Tour Dates

28th May – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival

4th June – Hunter, NY – Mountain Jam

5th –7th June  – New York, NY – Governor’s Ball

11th - 14th June – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo

8th July – O2 Academy, Liverpool UK*

*ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

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Sound City Liverpool 2015 - Saturday Review

Sound City Liverpool 2015 - Saturday Review 

A warm and sunny Saturday greeted us for the 2nd day of Sound City Liverpool. First up on the viewing agenda was Sun God Replica on the Kraken Stage. The band strike you, straight away, as a band very much influenced by the late 60s/early 70s and their music tends to solidify that assumption. Very heavy riffs with the emphasis on the music rather than bogging people down with too many lyrics. Guitar solos aplenty here. A great set that left your ears ringing.

Speaking of ears ringing, next up on the list for us was God Damn. This is a band we have featured here on MusicMafia a number of times and it was great to be able to see them in action at last. Very reminiscent of Royal Blood with two band members playing the music of 4/5 members, lead singer Thom and drummer Ash make you stop whatever you are doing and look on in awe at the huge solid tunes and the full on, in your face sound. In fact the sound was so intense that next to us, the plastic water container was shaking and moving due to the heavy bass. The set, unfortunately, was way too short and they could have easily entertained for an hour more.

Dutch Uncles on the Atlantic stage had drawn a good sized crowd for their set. The new wave group led by Duncan Wallis, entertained the audience with possibly the maddest dancing I have witnessed. This along with their catchy, toe tapping songs made for a very eccentric set. At times they reminded me of Talking Heads, both lyrically and musically, which isn't at all a bad thing. 

The Membranes  on the Baltic stage, led by the ever youthful, John Robb, provided a fierce and frantic set which consisted of a lot of their new material from the dark energy/dark matter album, engaged the audience from the outset. Forever the front man John Robb manages to make you feel as if you are part of the band. Encouraging and enticing the crowd to sing, stamp and holler as much as possible. 

We decided to move along to the North stage for a bit calm down after that to see the Israeli trio Garden City Movement and it was just what we needed. Standing in the sun watching on with a cool beer in your hand, is a much recommended recipe and bring into that the warm yet upbeat dance-floor tracks being played then you couldn't ask for a better interlude before the main headliner. Judging the reaction of the audience, they felt the same.

The Flaming Lips probably don't need much introduction. The band seem to bring a huge smile to anyone who mentions them and this was certainly evident to the thousands that had come to play witness to the giant spectacle. 

Lead singer, Wayne Coyne, emerged on stage with a giant inflatable turtle attached to his back and dressed in a green lycra suit, he looked more like a human-amphibian hybrid than the leader of a 30 year old strong band.

The Flaming Lips manages to make everything look so easy. Moving from one crowd rousing track to another, they never let the energy drop and never let the energy levels of the audience drop. They take them on a mystical space journey and they are only to happy to follow. 

Using visuals to full effect, including a giant "FUCK YEAH LIVERPOOL" inflatable thrown into the crowd, they leave nothing to chance. Light shows, ticker tape and giant alien creatures are all part of the ride. Even a giant Santa Claus made an appearance on stage much to the delight of the many. 

The highlight as always is Wayne Coyne getting inside his giant inflatable ball to surf across the people and sing whilst being held aloft by many numerous and willing hands. A site that you can never get tired of seeing.

An amazing and enigmatic set. One the likes of Sound City has never seen bodes well for the future. As previously mentioned in Friday's review, there are a lot of things which need rectifying in relation to the site and transport, but for the first time on a new site and with the line up they have managed to pull together, the future bodes well both for Sound City and Liverpool as a festival city on the whole. 

Sound City Liverpool 2015 - Friday Review

Sound City Liverpool 2015 - Friday Review

This year the Bramley Dock site was what Sound City Liverpool 2015 was all about. Moving from multiple venues to consolidate the festival into one area of docklands north of the city centre is a gamble, but is one that had to be made to promote the continued growth of the festival and attract big name acts.

Getting there (or back) wasn't the easiest which has drawn some complaints from festival goers.

The laid on bus finished at 10pm so ignored the fact that thousands of people would be leaving after the headline acts finished, to either compete for a limited number of taxis, or start the half hour walk back to the city centre.

That aside once there the site was great the way it had been decorated and was easy to navigate with all the stages in a five or ten minute walk from each other, although this did give rise to some noise bleed across different performances. It could have been laid out slightly better and used more of the warehouse space as only the Baltic Stage was in one of the large structures, but then this may in itself have been detrimental as I think it was with YAK's performance. This loud rock outfit with a touch of psychedelia didn't struggle to get themselves heard as they filled the venue with their sound but possibly the acoustics of the gigantic warehouse they played in let them down.

Moving on to catch some of KOF at the Cargo stage, I found him to be engaging with the audience with his upbeat music. His alternative souls style is easy to listen to and he aims to spread a more modern message with his music. His backing band had one great character in the lead guitarist, but some of the others were a tad too moody which didn't compliment his performance.

Spector on the Atlantic stage tried to warm up the audience with their energetic enthusiastic performances of their Killer's­esq music, but this was marred with smatterings of pretentiousness.

Whilst singing “Celestine”, Macpherson (vocals) stopped the performance to try and rouse the audience more before restarting the song. This had little effect. When announcing “Chevy Thunder” a handful of fans, stood at the front, whooped with joy, understandably so as it is one of their better releases, but not all the audience were as receptive. It was a shame, maybe it was the time they were on, or the chill wind coming up the Mersey that sapped enthusiasm from the crowd.

Iceage on the Baltic stage, these Danish rockers were loud and moody, maybe a bit too moody. It may just have been this performance, but they finished early with the lead singer saying “that's all were doing tonight” dropping his mic and walking off.

Close Talker on at the Cavern Stage, an energetic 4 piece Canadian alt­indie/ rock group showed how friends who are gelled with each other can make great solid sounding music. Having formed in 2012 they gained more exposure through being finalists in a CBC competition for best Canada's Best New Artist in 2013. Seeing how good these guys were I've have see who they lost to to understand why.

Taffy I must admit was stumbled upon whilst passing The North stage and was one of Fridays best, if not the best, performing groups. Their faultless playing incorporated an excellent rendition of The Cures “Boys Don't Cry “ which captured many passers­by who paused and enjoyed these Japanese rockers. They also must have had the happiest drummer of the festival as he beamed throughout the set. The only downside was the vocals of lead singer, Iris, were drowned out, which went unnoticed by the sound mixer who was happily enjoying the performance.

Everything Everything on the Atlantic Stage I found their live performance although promising with their energy, was just not my thing, and did not live up to their recordings. In­between their plugs for their new album (‘Get To Heaven’ ) I found myself checking Facebook to pass the time before going for a wander.

Once The Vaccines hit the Atlantic stage the large crowd were ready for some high powered music. This was delivered to them with a professionally honed performance including tracks from the new album English Grafitti. One of the few bands to utilise the massive screen behind them they provided a visual experience to match the performance.

All in all not a bad first day of the Soundcity festival and aside from certain hiccups like the aforementioned travel, the long queues for the toilets (must have forgotten the urinals), plus overpriced food and drink that are commonplace for such events I would easily return to the location next year especially if they had a better transportation links. I would also advise people to get a weekend pass as that would also allow you free movement in and out of the site which is very handy when you can pop over the road to The Bramley Moore pub (which soon got crowded) for cheaper food and drink.

Review by Mike Stanford

Cult Auzzie Punks The Saints at The Kazimier Liverpool

Cult Auzzie Punks The Saints at The Kazimier Liverpool 

One of the original punk bands, seminal Australian group The Saints visit Liverpool this coming Thursday. 

A groundbreaking act whose touchstone first single ‘(I’m) Stranded’ was released prior to The Sex Pistols’ vinyl debut, the Brisbane group were the first Australian punk band to break internationally. 

Touring in support of 2014s lauded King of the Sun/Midnight Sun LP which saw the band pair the 2012 studio original with a set of reworked back catalogue classics, Bruce Springsteen’s recent cover version of ‘Just Like Fire Would’ saw the group reach a massive new audience. 

Formed in 1973 and taking inspiration from The Stooges/MC5 the primitive, driving rock n’ roll captured on their 1977 debut LP (I'm) Stranded has been cited by Jesus and Mary Chain vocalist Jim Reid as a major influence. 

A sizeable inspiration on fellow Aussie Nick Cave, Saints founder Chris Bailey appeared on The Bad Seeds 2003 LP Nocturama. 

Moving towards a classic rock sound in the 1980s and developing an ongoing cult following Stateside, the band have inspired legions of musicians in their home country and beyond.

20.00 THURSDAY 28 MAY

THE KAZIMIER

(WOLSTENHOLME SQ)

www.thekazimier.co.uk

Tickets £12.00adv available in store from

Probe Records (School Ln) and The Brink (Parr St)

or ONLINE from

SEETICKETS

Welsh band, Peasant’s King to play The Cavern Stage at Soundcity 2015

Welsh band, Peasant’s King to play The Cavern Stage at Soundcity 2015

Welsh band, Peasant’s King are part of the BBC Wales Horizons scheme, a brilliant programme backed by BBC Radio Wales which supports emerging Welsh artists. As a result of this, they will be playing The Cavern Stage at Soundcity 2015 5.15PM on Sunday 24th May. 

Peasant’s King are fresh from supporting rising indie pop sensation Young Kato and are set to reveal brand new single Give A Little Love on 29th June, from forthcoming album David due in Autumn. 

Signing to Visible Noise in 2013 to release reissues of double EP bundle Kingdom and Four Walls Are Home, the soulful, dulcet vocals of Dan Evans combined with the soaring musical backbone of Rhodri Parry, Harry Lee, Lewys Mann and Josh Bowles instantly perked up the ears of BBC Introducing, resulting in airplay of lead track Antidotes from Fearne Cotton, Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, Greg James and Scott Mills. Further backing from the programme landed PEASANT’S KING a sub-headlining slot on the BBC Introducing stage at 2013’s Reading Festival. They have since gone on to support Twin Atlantic, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Gabrielle Aplin. VEVO also invited PEASANT’S KING to showcase their previous single Promised Land on their hotly anticipated talent platform DSCVR.

Africa Oye Announces North West Acts For Support Slots At 2015 Festival

Africa Oye Announces North West Acts For Support Slots At 2015 Festival

With the UK's largest FREE celebration of African music and culture just one month away, Africa Oyé have announced two North West based acts for their main stage line-up.

7-piece neo soul band Pieces of a Man and the multi-talented singer/rapper/producer Merki Waters will form the first ever Oyé Introduces portion of the festival - an initiative to support local up-and-coming artists in the North West.

Pieces of a Man, who kick off the Saturday of the festival, have a mission statement to show soul, no matter the stakes, by creating music of real character and intention. Influences include neo-soul heavyweights D’Angelo, Dwele, Omar, Robert Glasper and Jill Scott, as well as more traditional soul staples like Stevie Wonder and Gil Scott-Heron.

“This band grooves with a vocal which will stop you in your tracks" - BBC Radio Manchester

Opening the festival Sunday, 25 year old Singer/Songwriter/Rapper and Producer, Merki Waters is one of the UK’s outstanding up and coming artists, noted for his creative lyricism and superb vocal delivery. With sharp biting commentary and the aspirations and hopes of a generation put to pulsating grooves and stirring melodies you are taken on a lyrical and musical journey throughout a live show that inspires.

"Merki is a proposition like few others in Liverpool. Rapper, singer, producer but ultimately pop artist with a vast palette and Sefton Park is his canvas to exploit" - Peter Guy, Getintothis

Merki is also a founder of the Lab Music Foundation which has been providing services to meet some of the needs of underprivileged local acts in Liverpool in the form of music workshops, performance training, audio/video recording, showcase events as well as providing a YouTube platform ‘Lab TV’ which is now the largest urban media broadcaster in the North West of England, showcasing video content of rappers, singers and musicians.

The main stage acts will be complemented by the usual eclectic 'Oyé Village' featuring an array of foods from across the globe, traders, DJs, dance classes and workshops in the Active Zone, as well as kids entertainment to keep Sefton Park buzzing throughout the festival weekend.

Africa Oyé 2015 Live Line-Up

Omar (UK)

Frankie Paul (Jamaica)

BKO Quintet (Mali)

Diabel Cissokho (Senegal)

Gordon Masiala and NKA Musica (DR Congo)

Lindigo (Réunion)

Derito (Angola)

Sarabi (Kenya)

Cumbia All Stars (Peru)

Modou Toure and Ramon Goose (Senegal/UK)

Oyé Introduces...

Pieces of a Man (UK)

Merki Waters (UK)

Africa Oyé 2015

Sefton Park, Liverpool

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June 2015

12:30pm - 9:30pm both days /Admission: FREE (no ticket required)

Funded by Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council 

Slaves announce debut album, Are you Satisfied? and UK tour

Slaves announce debut album, Are you Satisfied? and UK tour

Ahead of the release of their hugely anticipated album ‘Are you Satisfied?’ two-piece punk provocateurs, Slaves announce their biggest headline tour to date. Taking in 11 cities across the UK expect live mayhem, chaotic crowd-surfing and frenzied yell-alongs for what is one of the best live shows of the year.

The two Tunbridge Wells punks have been winning over fans and critics alike with their scathing riffs and snarky vocals. Currently on their first sold out headline tour, which included 2 riotous sold out nights at London’s Scala, the band found time to record blistering covers of ‘Daft Punk’s playing at my house’ by LCD Sound System and ‘Shutdown’ by Skepta for Huw Stephens and Fearne Cotton’s R1 shows respectively.

Hardened by years of playing Britain’s toilet circuit Isaac and Laurie have become a ferocious live unit, both intimidating and entertaining in equal measures, with both of them enthusiastically spending as much time in the crowd as they do on stage. Their November tour sees them headlining in even bigger venues, including London’s legendary forum, which they played in March supporting Interpol.

Ticket presale 9am Wednesday http://po.st/SlvsTix

General on sale 9am Friday http://po.st/slvs

*ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

UK NOVEMBER TOUR DATES:

14th Nov – Bristol – Anson Rooms

15th Nov – Student Union – Cardiff

16th Nov – Pyramids Centre – Portsmouth

18th Nov – Waterfront – Norwich

19th Nov – O2 ABC – Glasgow*

20th Nov – Newcastle University – Newcastle

21st Nov – Ritz – Manchester

23rd Nov – Becketts Student Union – Leeds

24th Nov – O2 Academy2 – Liverpool*

25th Nov – Wulfrun Hall – Wolverhampton

27th Nov – The Forum – London 

For Tickets and Pre-order visit WWW.YOUAREALLSLAVES.COM

Polar States @ O2 Academy Liverpool - Review

Polar States @ O2 Academy Liverpool - Review

Toxteth based band Polar States are on the verge of great things. Getting set to record in LA and now on Radio 1's radar, they brought their brand of rock to their home town with an absolutely blistering set in front of a packed crowd, most of them singing along word for word.

When they started to play I thought the walls were going to crumble around us and it felt like my heart was pumping 2 feet in front of my chest.

Long Way Round hooked us in from the opening crunching riff, lead singer Paul Tong is an archetypal front man, sweeping the audience along with his powerful voice complimented by Josh Humphries cutting harmonies. Phill Gornall on bass and Dan Smith on drums complete the line up.

Chasing now has got that marching type beat, that really gets your adrenaline pumping. You get the feeling this band is fighting the corner of the masses, the little man. With their last single vines, which is essentially an ode to the poor, the whole place was chanting along . . .” if you want it then take it” clearly reference to social change. That theme is evident in all their songs, but where these guys pull it out the bag is their ability to get us thinking about these issues but disguised in raucous stomp along anthems.

Polar States are essentially a band that specialise in feel good songs, sometimes slightly reminiscent of The Killers but with Northern accents. Feel good songs that get you thinking about the state of the world we live in. that is no mean feat.

For a band that has only been in existence for 7 months it's phenomenal, their sound was almost too big for the 250 capacity venue and I can certainly see them supporting arena bands and doing the festival circuit. They would have no problem getting 20,000 chanting along with them.

I'm really looking forward to following their career. If you ever get to see them live grab it with both hands and get ready for a blistering set of pumping, relentless songs.

Review by Kevin Wall

Africa Oye adds iconic DJ and broadcaster Andy Kershaw to their main stage line-up

Africa Oye adds iconic DJ and broadcaster Andy Kershaw to their main stage line-up

Following the reveal of their live bands and artists for this June's festival in Sefton Park, Africa Oye have added iconic discjockey and broadcaster, Andy Kershaw to their main stage line-up.

As revealed in the Liverpool Echo earlier today, the former BBC Radio 1 and Radio 3 personality, who holds more Gold Sony Radio Awards than any other broadcaster, will perform an hour long DJ set on the Sunday of the festival, showcasing the variety of World Music that fans of his will have enjoyed for the last 30 years.

For many in Britain, Kershaw's Radio 1 show will have been the gateway to their first taste of music from Africa. In 1985, he was invited by the station to present his own show with a free choice of music. As his own tastes evolved so did the content of the radio show. Meeting the musicologist and Radio 3 presenter Lucy Duran and the first appearance of Zimbabwe’s Bhundu Boys in the UK tipped Andy heavily into African music.

Esa Williams makes a welcome return to Oye this June

Kershaw will also be joined by two other stellar DJs on the main stage across the festival weekend. To keep Sefton Park buzzing in between the live artists, Oye is very pleased to welcome back DJ Edu (BBC Radio 1 Xtra) and Esa Williams after their hugely popular appearances at last year's festival.

The 'Trenchtown' area of the festival site will also see acclaimed DJs from Merseyside and further afield providing festival-goers with a wide variety of music as they peruse the 80+ stalls and traders and enjoy relaxing with food and drink at the Oye Inn.

Africa Oye 2015 Live Line-Up

Omar (UK)

Frankie Paul (Jamaica)

BKO Quintet (Mali)

Diabel Cissokho (Senegal)

Gordon Masiala and NKA Musica (DR Congo)

Lindigo (Réunion)

Derito (Angola)

Sarabi (Kenya)

Cumbia All Stars (Peru)

Modou Toure & Ramon Goose (Senegal/UK)

For full artist/DJ bios and images or for more information on this year's Oye Village and Trenchtown (including the 80+ stalls and traders on-site) please visit africaoye.com 

Ozric Tentacles announce May UK Tour 2015

Ozric Tentacles announce May UK Tour 2015

It’s with great pleasure that we announce the release of OZRIC TENTACLES new album, ‘Technicians of The Sacred’, to be released on the Madfish label on Monday 11th May in UK, plus, in support of this epic 90+ minute offering, the band will hit UK stages for a live tour this month, including an album release show at London’s O2 Academy Islington.

For over thirty years, Ozric Tentacles have pursued their defiantly independent, free-thinking and fundamentally groovy path through contemporary music. They were the rock band that joyously united the free festival crowd and the rave scene back in the late eighties and early nineties, and through successive passing trends and the abatement of the mainstream music business have fearlessly let their freak flag fly, shrugged off the urge to compromise and stuck to their core values. Consequently, the result is pure music, made for love and joy, and the ecstatic reward that comes from habitually pushing their boundaries to create beauty to the limit of their current human capabilities.

‘Technicians of The Sacred’ is a superb sojourn to the world of Ozrics. Richly layered, evocatively ambient, and ethereal musical landscapes, seamlessly morphing through beatific freeform dub trips, incredible rave grooves, and psychedelic progressive rock, create a heady, kaleidoscopic mixture of tones and textures. The aim is not just to make truly unique and culturally diverse music, but also to harmoniously unite all in attendance, and create portals for astral travel. Many fans and listeners report feelings of euphoria, an immediate connection to nature as well as others around them, and intense feelings that they have journeyed to other dimensions or met with other-worldly beings. It's an open exploration of music and the soul.

‘Technicians of The Sacred’ will be their first double since the classic ‘Erpland’ over 20 years ago. The aesthetics of the album is heavily themed in Mayan Astrology. Technicians of the Sacred is a characteristic trait of the “tone” in each member’s “dreamspell” (Mayan astrological symbol). “Many years ago in a tent just prior to performing at Glastonbury Festival, we were given our Mayan Astrology reading”, says the Ozrics Ed Wynne, smiling as usual. “The man doing the readings was getting more and more excited the further he went, he said he was going to tell us something that would change our lives forever. He proceeded to reveal that we are actually Galactic Activation Portals sent to channel messages of love to the world. Upon hearing this statement we questioned, “Now that we know this, should we be doing something different with our lives?” He paused for a moment, then laughed, and as the crowd roared said, “Hurry up then, the audience is waiting to hear you!”

O2 Academy Islington – Tuesday 12th May – Album release show*

Talking Heads, Southampton – Wednesday 13th May

Bierkeller, Bristol- Friday 15th May

The Waterfront, Norwich – Saturday 16th May

O2 ABC2 Glasgow – Sunday 17th May*

O2 Academy2 Newcastle – Monday 18th May*

O2 Academy2 Liverpool – Tuesday 19th May*

O2 Academy3 Birmingham – Wednesday 20th May*

Manchester Club Academy – Friday 22nd May

O2 Academy2 Oxford – Sunday 24th May* 

*Tickets on sale now – Ticketweb.co.uk / 0844 477 2000

Africa Oye Announces Full Live Line-Up - Including Reggae Legend Frankie Paul

Africa Oye Announces Full Live Line-Up - Including Reggae Legend Frankie Paul

The UK’s largest, free African and Caribbean music festival Africa Oyé will grace Sefton Park once again this summer and organisers have now revealed the full main stage line-up for the event.

New additions to the line-up include dancehall reggae legend Frankie Paul and  Kenya's own Sarabi as well as Modou Toure and Ramon Goose who will bring their West African Blues Project to Sefton Park for the masses. The African disapora will also be well represented again  this year with Peru's Cumbia All Stars being added to the bill.

Frankie Paul is often referred to as Jamaica's Stevie Wonder, and not just because of his visual impairment. Like Wonder, he is a talented multi-instrumentalist with a tremendous vocal range. He was also an extraordinarily prolific part of the first wave of dancehall artists; he started his recording career in earnest during the early 80s and has since flooded the market with product, releasing countless singles and well over 30 albums.

To keep Sefton Park buzzing in between the live artists, Africa Oye is very pleased to welcome back DJ Edu (BBC Radio 1 Xtra) and Esa Williams after their hugely popular appearances at last year's festival. In the coming weeks, Oye will also be announcing one more special guest set for the festival weekend, bringing a particular legendary British DJ and broadcaster to the festival for the first time.

Now in its 23rd year, Africa Oye attracted record crowds of around 80,000 across the festival weekend in 2014 to the two-day, family friendly city event.

Artistic Director, Paul Duhaney is particularly pleased at the variety of acts set to grace the Sefton Park stage in 2015. “ I think this year's line-up really sums up what Oye is musically all about" Duhaney said. "We've got Africa and the wider diaspora, the Caribbean, South America and the UK all represented by stellar artists who will no doubt make lots of new fans in Liverpool this year. Let's hope for more of last year's weather; either way we're in for another fantastic festival".

The main stage acts will be complemented by the usual eclectic 'Oyé Village' featuring an array of foods from across the globe, traders, DJs, dance classes and workshops in the Active Zone, as well as kids entertainment to keep Sefton Park buzzing throughout the festival weekend. The main stage support acts and community performances will also be announced very soon.

Africa Oye 2015 Live Line-Up

Omar (UK)

Frankie Paul (Jamaica)

BKO Quintet (Mali)

Diabel Cissokho (Senegal)

Gordon Masiala and NKA Musica (DR Congo)

Lindigo (Réunion)

Derito (Angola)

Sarabi (Kenya)

Cumbia All Stars (Peru)

Modou Toure and Ramon Goose (Senegal/UK)

Liverpool Loves Ireland - Irish Culture Celebrated In New Summer Festival

Liverpool Loves Ireland - Irish Culture Celebrated In New Summer Festival

Liverpool Loves Ireland will celebrate the links between the city and the Emerald Isle on Friday 7 August with a line-up of traditional Irish entertainment. 

Liverpool Loves Ireland will be staged at Pier Head Liverpool in a bespoke Big Top venue, put in place on the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront especially for the three-day festival. 

The evening of entertainment will run between 7pm and 11pm, headlined by Cream of the Barley, arguably Liverpool’s finest ever Irish band. They will be joined by a stellar line-up of artistes, musicians and dancers to make it a real evening of Irish variety. 

Liverpool Loves is the brainchild of Liverpool-based Orb CIC, who have a strong proven track record in staging major city events and festivals. 

The inaugural Liverpool Loves festival takes place at Pier Head Liverpool from Thursday to Saturday (6 to 8 August). The Thursday will have a business focus with the spotlight on new start-ups, business advice, networking and entrepreneurs. On Saturday the attention turns to a programme of culture, the arts, health, food and drink, and entertainment. 

The programme for Liverpool Loves Ireland is being curated by Martin O’Shea from Liverpool’s Bold Management who, in recent years, delivered the first ever full concert at the Liverpool Echo Arena in 2008 with The Number One Project and last year’s inaugural World Merit Day headlined by Nobel winner Malala Yousafzi.  Martin is also curating the line-up for Liverpool Loves Music which will form part of the festival’s cultural programme on the Saturday.

With an estimated three quarters of Liverpool’s population having Irish roots, Liverpool Loves Ireland will bring a real traditional Irish party atmosphere to the city’s waterfront. 

Headliners Cream of the Barley feature three of the original line-up – John Walsh vocals/guitar, PJ McCarthy vocals/bodhran and Eddie Hughes banjo/mandolin –  plus some special invited new guest members for a special one-off appearance at Liverpool Loves Ireland. This is the band’s first Liverpool show in 10 years and they promise a set filled with the most popular Irish songs of all time, as well as a few surprise special guests who will join them during their set. 

Widely known for their long-term residency at Flanagan’s on Mathew Street, Cream of the Barley played to an audience of over one million people across more than 1,000 shows spanning 20 years.

Martin O’Shea from Bold Management commented: “It is a huge coup for Liverpool Loves Ireland that Cream of the Barley are reforming especially to perform at this inaugural festival. The band are very excited that after 10 years, they will again perform in Liverpool where they entertained so many people during their 20-year residency. 

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the band back to the city as part of a fantastic line-up of traditional entertainment of Irish music and dance. It’s going to be a memorable night.” 

The line-up also includes acclaimed singers and musicians to showcase new Irish talent with traditional entertainment. 

One of Ireland's most accomplished contemporary singer/songwriters, Eleanor McEvoy, will perform songs from her extensive catalogue including Only A Woman’s Heart, the best-selling Irish album in Irish history by a home-grown artiste. 

Popular Liverpool folk artist Jack Owen has toured Europe and the USA, and represented Britain in the Eastern European Rostock Music Festival, televised to more than 100 million people. Jack’s songs have been covered by bands including The Spinners; he has supported Chris de Burgh; and has performed with the Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra. His songs include Mist Over the Mersey. 

Audiences can look forward to a fantastic set from Liverpool born accomplished accordionist and singer Michael Coyne. With his family hailing from Louisburgh, County Mayo, Michael has Irish music running through his veins and will fill the stage with his style of Irish country music – which is guaranteed to have everyone up on their feet. 

Completing the musical line-up is the all-female band The Jesse Janes. Hailing from County Tyrone in Ireland, the group now reside in Liverpool. With influences from the likes of Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac and The Eurythmics, their beautiful guitar and mandolin picking encapsulates a modern bluegrass tone with hints and splashes of folk, country, rock and pop. 

The evening’s exciting entertainment will also include a full Ceili. Traditional Irish dancing will feature spectacular Riverdance and ribbon dance performances from one of the finest traditional dance groups The Bolger Cunningham Irish Dancers, which is sure to have people tapping their feet to show off their own dance moves. 

Michael Coyle will officially open the evening’s entertainment and set the scene for an evening of engaging and exciting Irish themed acts. He will then return to the stage to close Liverpool Loves Ireland. 

Festival Director Josh Boyd from Orb CIC added: “Liverpool’s Irish community and heritage is extremely strong and a big part of the city culture, so this is something we really wanted to highlight. The line-up Martin has brought together is an eclectic mix of traditional and modern Irish artistes and performers, and really will showcase and celebrate the links between Liverpool and Ireland through music and dance.” 

Traditional Irish food and drink will be available to purchase throughout the evening. 

Tickets are priced at £22.50 and go on sale at 9am on Thursday 30 April. They are available online from www.ticketquarter.co.uk or by telephoning 0844 8000 410 (online and telephone ticket sales are subject to a booking fee per ticket and a handling fee per transaction). Tickets can also be bought in person at the TicketQuarter at Queen’s Square (no booking fee on cash sales). 

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

Liverpool’s The Weave launch their 2nd album The Capstone Theatre

Liverpool’s The Weave launch their 2nd album The Capstone Theatre 

The Weave are an exciting incarnation of some of Liverpool’s best established jazz musicians, and their brand new album Knowledge Porridge is out now on Rufusalbino Records.

At the epicentre of this new musical planet is band leader Martin Smith. He has woven together a network of some of the very finest musicians in the musical city to end all musical cities: Anthony Peers (trumpet),  Anthony Ormisher (guitar), Tilo Purnbaum (drums), Rob Stringer (piano) and Hugo "Harry" Harrison (double bass).  

Together they bring a mind-bogglingly diverse CV of influences and experience. Jazz icons such as Digby Fairweather, Kenny Wheeler, Ian Carr and Jim Mullen rub shoulders with the likes of John Martyn and Arthur Brown, while names such as Super Furry Animals, The Coral and Albert Lee are fascinating head-turning tangents.

The end result is a brilliantly original musical kaleidoscope of ideas knitted together to create a soundscape like no other. Splendidly energetic and warm, sometimes playful but always soulful, spanning the bridge of several generations where no genre is denied access to the party.

Officially formed in August 2012 when they recorded their debut album, the members of The Weave have been playing together in various incarnations for up to 20 years, and so have a very close bond both musically and as brothers in arms. This combined with the twin trumpet and guitar front line creates a unique and extremely refreshing and cohesive band sound and identity. They treasure melody above all else and whilst there is plenty of space for individuals to shine in improvisation, everything serves the song.

The Weave have just brought out our 2nd album, and they have a launch gig scheduled at the Capstone Theatre on the 15th May (https://www.ents24.com/liverpool-events/capstone-theatre/the-weave/4145138). 

The album features collaborations and contributions from Liverpools broader musical landscape. In particular from Stealing Sheep's Lucy Mercer, Michael Head (Shack/Pale Fountains) and from members of the Liverpool Philharmonic.

They will be playing the album in full at our show at the Capstone.


https://theweave.bandcamp.com/

Bombay Bicycle Club festival warm-up show at Liverpool Guild of Students

Bombay Bicycle Club festival warm-up show at Liverpool Guild of Students

Ahead of summer festival appearances, Bombay Bicycle Club have announced a very special festival warm up show at Liverpool’s Guild Of Students on July 15th.  

Following a prolific 2014, Bombay Bicycle Club were recently nominated for the album award for their fourth LP ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’ at the 60th anniversary Ivor Novello Awards which celebrate, honour and reward excellence in British and Irish song writing and composing.

Regarded as one Britain’s biggest breakthrough bands Bombay Bicycle Club’s critically acclaimed fourth album captured the results of singer Jack Steadman’s picaresque adventures in the likes of Turkey and India throughout 2013.  Joyously escapist, its electronic-inflected and Bollywood-referencing sound made good on the Eastern promise. The album also secured them their first UK number one and netted them a Barclaycard Mercury Prize nomination. 

Live, the band had their busiest ever year in 2014 with a string of international festival appearances including Glastonbury where they delighted tens of thousands of fans with a stunning performance on the Other Stage.  It saw one of the biggest crowds of the festival outside of the Pyramid Stage as well as a secret set on the Radio 1 Introducing Stage (that had to be closed due to overcrowding!)  They headlined the R1/NME stage at Reading/Leeds and entertained the masses at Latitude, Fuji Rocks and Lollapalooza to name but a few.  They have a healthy, ever-growing following in continental Europe and the US, too, with all of their dates having sold out. 2014 ended with the band selling out their first ever UK arena date at London’s final ever Earls Court show.

  

Bombay Bicycle Club’s Liverpool show precedes festival appearances at Super Bock Super Rock Festival in Lisbon, Portugal on July 17th, Citadel Festival London on July 19th and Somersault Festival, Devon on July 25th.

Wed 15 Jul 2015   

Liverpool Guild of Students

Supported by Cash + David

Tickets are £24.00 and go on sale Fri 01 May at 9am - http://gigst.rs/BBCLpl

ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

http://bombaybicycleclubmusic.com/