Liverpool Music Week: There’s something for everyone

Oct 31 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Vicky Anderson looks ahead to Liverpool’s biggest music week ever

THIS weekend is the start of what could be the biggest week of music the city has ever seen.

The annual Liverpool Music Week is already under way, and is expected to attract tens of thousands to the city centre with a variety of ticketed and free gigs and acts of all genres from Merseyside and all over the world.

Events culminate next Thursday with The MTV European Music Awards, which will bring some of the most famous pop stars on the planet, including Beyoncé Knowles, right, Kanye West, and, if rumours are to be believed, Britney Spears.

The Awards, at the Echo Arena Liverpool, will be hosted by Katy Perry and performers are set to include the Killers, Pink, Estelle and Kid Rock. Mancunian boy band Take That will also be singing on the night.

“After having performed at the first-ever MTV Europe Music Awards in 1994, and having such fond memories of the event in Berlin, it is a great honour to be asked back 14 years later to perform in the wonderful city of culture that is Liverpool.Š We look forward to seeing you all there,” they have collectively said.

Newton-le-Willows 80s pop star and internet phenomenon Rick Astley is expected at the event, shortlisted as he is for the “best act ever” award, for the web prank known as Rickrolling.

“Rick’s fans have obviously decided that he deserves recognition as a pop icon and no doubt they are determined to make sure he wins on the night,” says the award show’s producer Richard Godfrey.

Liverpool Music Week director Mike Deane, who founded the event in 2003, says: “We are all set for the biggest and best Music Week the city has seen.

“The buzz about the city right now is unbelievable, but justified . . . and there is a huge anticipation of the most diverse festival we’ve put on, and I think all at camp LMW are just as excited as the tens of thousands who will come through our doors.”

TONIGHT, Mercury and Grammy nominees Goldfrapp return to perform at Liverpool University, while Nation hosts the Bestival Reunion, with a line-up that includes live performances from Mystery Jets, Kissy Sell Out and the Cuban Brothers, and sets from DJs including Rob Da Bank, Sombrero Soundsystem and special live guests The Presets.

Free gigs include Noah & The Whale (Bumper), and Damien Dempsey and Ian Prowse (The Picket).

Saturday night is cool as you like, with US band-of-the-moment Black Kids performing in the Nation courtyard with support acts Ladyhawke and Magistrates.

Hip-hop legend Dizzee Rascal plays a sold-out show at the University on Sunday, his biggest-ever gig in the city.

Elsewhere, it’s Jazz/World Sunday at Bumper, with acts including Afro Roots, FOE, and the Whiskycats, and The Maybes and John Power play a free, first-come-first served gig at Alma de Cuba.

Monday’s free shows include Wearing My Rolex star Wiley, with full live band and support from Hot Machine & Ezra Bang at Alma de Cuba, Holy Ghost Revival (Bumper), and an open mic night at 3345.

The following day (Tuesday, November 4) Johnny Foreigner, Dananananakrod, Ipso Facto, The Holloways, Peter & The Wolf, The Dawn, Zombina & The Skeletones form part of the line-up for one of the busiest nights of the festival, so bar hopping is recommended between Bumper, Korova, Alma De Cuba, Metropolitan, Hannahs, Zanzibar, 3345, and Parr Street Studio 2 to experience sounds from across the board.

At The Picket, on Jordan Street, there will be a special showcase in association with the Make it Break it Awards, a unique award scheme for young singer-songwriters aged 14 to 19.

The judging panel includes Chris Martin (Coldplay), Mark Radcliffe (Radio 2), The Wombats, and other industry officials. It is backed by LIPA and Yamaha, both of which helped to provide prizes including a three-day boot camp at LIPA, climaxing in a live performance to industry professionals, £1,000 worth of Yamaha equipment, and the opportunity to record a music video and demo in a creative environment with like-minded musicians (for more information, visit www.makeitbreakit.org).

On Wednesday, MOBO nominee Sway joins the Music Week free show agenda, along with Soweto Kinch, one of the hottest jazz musicians of the moment, making his Liverpool debut at Alma de Cuba.

Other highlights include Meshuggy Bonfire Night special at Korova, The Ragamuffins (Metropolitan, on Berry Street), The Real People (at Zanzibar), Kovacs (at Mello Mello) and the Sense of Sound Choir, at Magnet.

The closing events for this year’s MTV Liverpool Music Week, on Thursday, will follow the MTV EMAs, which will be shown on screens at bars and clubs across the city for those not lucky enough to get into the event.

The main party is at Bumper, headlined by Sonny J, whose hit single, Can’t Stop Moving, set the charts alight. He will be joined by Coronation Street actor Craig Charles, Cantmixwontmixshdntmixdontmix + very special guests to be announced. Other events closing out this festival include Korova, headed up by Echo & The Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant DJing in the bar, while downstairs US upstarts Neptune, Monobrow and special guests keep things lively.

FOR more information on MTV Liverpool Music Week, go to www.liverpoolmusicweek.com

vickyanderson