Mathew Street Festival’s back and it’s better than ever
Aug 26 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post
Queen tribute act, God Save The Queen, performing at the Mathew Street Festival _320
THE Mathew Street Festival came back with a resounding bang this weekend, attracting hundreds of thousands into the city centre over two days.
This morning, stages are being collapsed and streets cleaned after what is thought to be Liverpool’s most successful music festival of all time.
A spokesman for the organisers said: “It is believed to be the best and biggest festival in terms of numbers and it has far exceeded all expectations.
“We have never seen so many people on the city centre streets.”
And last night Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley said the city was already looking at ways of making next year even bigger.
Cllr Bradley said: “The Mathew Street Festival is back with a bang.
“It goes from strength to strength and it’s now one of the most important dates on Liverpool’s cultural calendar, not just for Liverpool, but for those who visit the city.”
He is now in the process of attracting support for private sector financing to make 2009’s festival bigger still.
For the first time this year, the festival had six outdoor stages across two days and added a new main stage near to the Queensway Tunnel, a Mathew Street Fringe Festival, featuring original bands indoors and huge LED screens on three stages.
Crowds also flocked to Derby Square, Williamson Square, Water Street, Exchange Street East and the Hatton Garden junction.
Tribute bands like Argentinian act God Save the Queen left about 15,000 new fans sure they had seen the real thing, while 90s act Right Said Fred proved they were still “too sexy”.
At Exchange Street East, Steff Morris, who travelled in from Rhyl, North Wales, said: “The atmosphere is brilliant and the acts have been brilliant – Tina Turner was the best I’ve seen.”
Gillian and Ivan Corts brought their daughter, Erin, down from Blackpool for the day, but the family were not expecting the festival at all.
Mrs Corts said: “I’ve been amazed. Our first impressions of the city have been blown out of all expectations – there’s just such a happy atmosphere.”
Standing close by at the Water Street stage were Andy and Maureen Pelling, from Sussex.
Mr Pelling said: “This is our 40th anniversary and we thought; ‘what could be better than this?’
“We’ve stayed in one of the dock-front hotels and are really waiting to see our friend play on stage later today in Absolute Bowie. It’s been a celebration for us.”
Stephen and Rebecca Fennessy, at the Derby Square stage, had travelled up from London for the weekend.
Rebecca said: “We came two years ago and it was great. This time it seems even bigger. There’s none of the ‘aggro’ you can expect at the Notting Hill Carnival in London.”
Stephen said: “There’s always a good atmosphere here and it’s just about having fun with good tunes.”
Warren Tarrant, originally of Heswall, Wirral, travelled in from Warrington with his partner Julie Robinson. Like many, they had brought their own deck chairs and food to enjoy the day.
Mr Tarrant said: “It’s much bigger this year, but the atmosphere is still brilliant.’’
* MERSEYSIDE police said a total of 18 people were arrested over the two days of the event.
Thirteen were for drink and disorder related offences, one for possession with intent to supply, two for security staff working without licences, one for recall to prison, and one for being wanted on a warrant.
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