From the archives...International Beatles Week and Liverpool as the 2008 European Capital of Culture...
UK city gets ready for culture vulture influx in 2008
A city best known for The Beatles and its famous eponymous football club, Liverpool is on the threshold of a renaissance.
Liverpool has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2008, sparking a revival in the fortunes of a city that is earning a world class status through adversity, tragedy, determination and an unfailing Scouse sense of humour.
Once a thriving mercantile and marine centre, Liverpool took its place as Britain’s second most economically significant port. Recent times have however seen Merseyside suffer serious economic hardship due to the demise of a maritime dependence as shipyards and manufacturing industries collapsed, and the advent of sea freight containerisation.
A visible urban regeneration programme sponsored by the European Union is designed to serve 20 million visitors to Liverpool in 2008, and restore a lasting pride in the residents of a city that will see its national and international image improved forever.
Beside the numerous building sites, there already exists a rich heritage of culture, art, music and sport; all waiting to be explored long before the culture-hungry masses descend onto Merseyside in the next eighteen months.
Hard Days Nights
Catapulted from working-class obscurity into the world’s greatest entertainment sensation, The Beatles forever transformed the face of both popular music and their home town Liverpool.
Since 1983, every day and night of one week in August is dedicated to all things Beatles and anything remotely related. Two hundred and fifty thousand fans descend onto Merseyside for conventions, auctions, exhibitions, tours, interviews and an exchange of memories in celebration of modern music’s finest hour.
Once a thriving mercantile and marine centre, Liverpool took its place as Britain’s second most economically significant port. Recent times have however seen Merseyside suffer serious economic hardship due to the demise of a maritime dependence as shipyards and manufacturing industries collapsed, and the advent of sea freight containerisation.
A visible urban regeneration programme sponsored by the European Union is designed to serve 20 million visitors to Liverpool in 2008, and restore a lasting pride in the residents of a city that will see its national and international image improved forever.
Beside the numerous building sites, there already exists a rich heritage of culture, art, music and sport; all waiting to be explored long before the culture-hungry masses descend onto Merseyside in the next eighteen months.
Hard Days Nights
Catapulted from working-class obscurity into the world’s greatest entertainment sensation, The Beatles forever transformed the face of both popular music and their home town Liverpool.
Since 1983, every day and night of one week in August is dedicated to all things Beatles and anything remotely related. Two hundred and fifty thousand fans descend onto Merseyside for conventions, auctions, exhibitions, tours, interviews and an exchange of memories in celebration of modern music’s finest hour.
Over two hundred bands and solo musicians take up every available pub, street corner and park bench spreading the internationally understood language of the music of The Beatles.
The most famous site in Beatles iconography, the legendary Cavern Club, is responsible for spawning the geographically unique Merseybeat movement, and launching the careers of many more great artists including Gene Vincent and The Searchers.
The most famous site in Beatles iconography, the legendary Cavern Club, is responsible for spawning the geographically unique Merseybeat movement, and launching the careers of many more great artists including Gene Vincent and The Searchers.
Gerry and the Pacemakers earn particular significance with Liverpudlians due to their genre-defining hit Ferry Across the Mersey, and the poignant anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone which has been adopted into the psyche and terraces of Liverpool Football Club.
Now a Mecca for every Beatles fan, The Cavern Club was once almost lost to progress. Condemned in 1973 and designated as the future site of an underground railway ventilation shaft, fate thankfully stepped in to rescue this culturally significant place from a humiliating demise. After many years spent buried underground, The Cavern Club was resurrected in 1984 to become an integral part of Liverpool’s Beatles experience and live music scene with up to 40 bands taking the stage each week.
When the music stops, and all is quiet, the rumble of the railway below serves as a nostalgic reminder of the enormous power of music.
The Mathew Street Festival
Running concurrently to International Beatles Week, The Mathew Street Festival celebrates the city’s musical heritage and hope over the four days of the UK’s August public holiday weekend.
The Mathew Street Festival
Running concurrently to International Beatles Week, The Mathew Street Festival celebrates the city’s musical heritage and hope over the four days of the UK’s August public holiday weekend.
Situated in the heart of the city, Mathew Street has long served as the nerve centre for Liverpool’s vibrant night life. As expected, a host of pubs, clubs and live music venues take their place beside this street’s most celebrated resident, The Cavern Club. Mathew Street is a continuous buzz of activity as both tourists and locals move between the many venues, enjoying the sounds of buskers and resident bands, and studying the memorabilia and rich musical history on offer.
Liverpool’s musical royalty share the same passion for this festival as those starting out on their quest for the fame and adoration that still greets Merseyside’s greatest sons in The Beatles after four decades.
Liverpool’s musical royalty share the same passion for this festival as those starting out on their quest for the fame and adoration that still greets Merseyside’s greatest sons in The Beatles after four decades.
Europe’s largest free music festival, the 2006 event on Liverpool’s famous Pier Head waterfront included the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Lightning Seeds, The Mersey Beats and Gerry and the Pacemakers, ironically performing a few yards from the very Mersey Ferry they have etched into the memories of millions.
Published reporter.coza
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