Sing a Song For Liverpool and be a part of history

Oct 22 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

MUSICIANS and songwriters are being given the chance to be part of Liverpool’s history from today, with the launch of the Song For Liverpool competition.

Judges are looking for a song to represent the city in its 2008 Capital of Culture Year. The winning entry will be professionally recorded at the Merseysound Studios on Bridport Street.

The competition is officially launched this morning during breakfast shows on Radio City 96.7 with Kev Seed and Magic 1548 with Phil Easton.

It has been set up by the Open Culture project – a platform to enable the people of Liverpool to engage with the celebrations for 2008.

The project is a collaboration between the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo, Radio City, BBC Radio Merseyside and Phil Redmond, chairman of International Centre for Digital Content.

Mr Easton said: “In this city, there is so much talent. I would be very surprised if we don’t come up with a song that we are still singing in 10 to 15 years’ time.

“Liverpool has such a rich musical history so there is no reason why this song shouldn’t form a part of that history.

“There is no specific style that we are looking for – the song doesn’t have to be perfectly polished. We will listen to it and decide whether production techniques or even a different type of instrumental style would be better suited.

“We will just have to wait and see what we get – rock, folk, hip hop, dance – but I just know it will be a fantastic tribute to our city.”

A shortlist of entries will be decided by the Open Culture board and a closing date will be set after the launch.

The shortlisted finalists will then be available to hear online and members of the public will vote for their favourite.

The winning song will become an anthem for Liverpool’s 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations.

After the track has been recorded at Merseysound Studios, it will be played on Radio City 96.7, Magic 1548 and BBC Radio Merseyside.

Radio City DJ Kev Seed added: “The Song for Liverpool competition is a fantastic opportunity for any local artist not only to get their talent recognised, but also to become part of Liverpool history.”

SONGS should be sent on CD or cassette only to Song For Liverpool, Radio City 96.7, St John’s Beacon, 1 Houghton Street, Liverpool L1 1RL, and need to include music and lyrics.

The competition is open to any local singer/songwriters in Merseyside, the North West and North Wales. No CDs/cassettes will be returned. For full terms and conditions log on to www.radiocity.co.uk

lizawilliams