Holiday festivals, fun and fireworks

Aug 25 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL is set for a long weekend of entertainment with Mathew Street festival events, Creamfields and 800th birthday celebrations lighting up the Bank Holiday.

This year’s scaled-down Mathew Street festival will see musicians from around the world perform at more than 80 indoor gigs on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

Although the event will be significantly smaller than in previous years, after all outdoor stages were removed from the bill for health and safety reasons, around 60,000 people are still expected to visit the city for the festivities.

Around 300 police officers will be on duty during the festival, the same number planned before the event was downsized.

Apart from at four venues – The Cavern, Carling Academy, The Empire Theatre and the View Two Gallery – all other events will be free as the city pays tribute to The Beatles.

Key venues include the University of Liverpool’s Mountford Hall, Jaxx, the Krazy House, The Picket, Zanzibar, Heebie Jeebies, Barfly, Metro, Blue and Baby Cream.

The Picket saw the musical celebrations off to a flying start last night by featuring the winning acts of Streetwaves, a music competition run by the Liverpool Culture Company.

Some of the acts will also be appearing at Creamfields on Saturday.

There will also be a children’s funfair in St John’s Gardens on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from noon to 5pm, which includes rides and craft workshops.

And at 1pm on Monday, the Liverpool Giant, which will lead the 800th birthday pageant this Tuesday, will be named in the gardens.

In Halton, David Guetta will be performing live on Saturday at Creamfields alongside Groove Armada, Kelis, LCD Soundsystem, Mark Ronson, Carl Cox, Erick Morillo and many more acts and DJs. The Daresbury site will attract 40,000 music fans.

Chief Executive of Creamfields James Barton said: “‘I think the fans will be looking forward to the Chemical Brothers, they have got the best live dance show on the road.

“I am looking forward to seeing the crowd’s reaction, they are in for a real treat.”

And, on Bank Holiday Monday, more than 300 community parties will take place all over the city to celebrate Liverpool’s 800th birthday in advance of Tuesday’s events.

Cllr Mike Storey said: “The desire by people of all ages and walks of life to celebrate our 800th has been amazing. It underlines the sense of community and pride people have in Liverpool.

“There’s going to be a real party atmosphere over the birthday weekend.”

Tuesday sees a birthday pageant progress through the city centre and the largest fireworks display ever seen in the city.

FOR a full listing of the 2007 Mathew Street Music Festival events visit www. liverpooldailypost.co.uk

lizawilliams