Clubs step into breach to host unsigned bands who will miss out on Mathew Street Festival

Aug 6 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO city centre venues are teaming up to stage an event for all the unsigned bands who were hoping to play the Mathew Street Festival.

The Barfly and Zanzibar clubs have rushed into action to host the alternative “Seel Street Festival” to ensure the local groups that were hoping to enjoy the massive exposure of the annual August Bank Holiday event, cancelled last week, still get to play.

Paula Stewart, head of promotions at Barfly, said: “We were shocked and saddened by the whole Mathew Street Festival thing – even though it doesn’t benefit us, it is really good for the city and local music, and we were really keen to make sure the bands can still play.

“Between the Barfly and the Zanzibar we want to put on as many bands as possible across the two venues.

“We are going to let everyone in for free so as many people as possible can enjoy the festival.” The venues say they have been inundated with calls and emails from acts interested in taking part and say they should be able to confirm the full line-up later today.

Ms Stewart added: “Liverpool bands can really do with the help of the Mathew Street Festival, which really is the best way to get noticed – it’s these bands that are going to be the next Beatles, the next Frankie Goes to Hollywood, it’s something that is really important to support.”

The Seel Street Festival takes place over August 25 and 26 and culminates with a free club night.