AFTER being at the heart of so many thrilling 2008 events, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall has announced its new listings for a new year.
With the ambition of keeping Liverpool, and live music in the city firmly in the spotlight through 2009, highlights include concerts from Jackson Browne (March 28), disco diva Candi Staton (February 20); and David Byrne (April 3), who will be performing songs from the Byrne and Eno era.
Paco Pena’s spectacular flamenco-choral commission Requiem For the Earth kicks off Liverpool’s official Year of the Environment on February 27. The show features guitarists, percussionists, a flamenco dancer and the Sense of Sound Choir.
Other world music treats include the annual African Soul Rebels tour featuring the exquisite voice of Baaba Maal (March 4); Buena Vista Social Club Presents Eliades Ochoa, one of only two of the founding members of the famous Cuban group (March 5); and making a return by popular demand, the thrilling Saharan desert blues of Tinariwen (March 22).
The After 8 series, a series of unplugged shows in the Phil’s smaller venue the Rodewald Suite, has a number of gems, including Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls of The Wonder Stuff (January 31), Tea Hodzic (March 19) and Huw Warren (March 20). Russell Watson will make a welcome return to the Philharmonic Hall’s stage (March 30), and the hall will also be a venue for the 2009 Liverpool Comedy Festival with shows from Rob Brydon (April 28) and Mock The Week’s Andy Parsons (May 7).
There is an exceptional programme from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, beginning with Gershwin-inspired programme Rhapsody! (February 4), and the promisingly-titled With Love From Vasily on Valentine’s Day, as principal conductor Mr Petrenko gets in the mood.
There’s also the Film at the Phil series, with James Bond’s Quantum of Solace starting off the year on the world’s only working Walturdaw cinema screen, on January 13.
The latest brochure is available from the hall itself or visit to www. liverpoolphil.com for full listings and details.
To purchase tickets, please call the box office on 0151 709 3789 or order online at www.liverpoolphil.com
vickyanderson
