Arts and Culture
Discover the best of arts and culture in Liverpool, featuring exhibitions, interviews, and cultural events celebrating the city’s creative spirit.
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From Runcorn to the Revolution: Bethany Kate on Life in Hamilton
There’s something deeply special about coming home — and for Bethany Kate, a gifted musical theatre performer born in Liverpool and raised in Runcorn, stepping into Hamilton at the iconic Liverpool Empire is nothing short of magical. Now part of the blockbuster production as an off-stage swing, Bethany brings versatility, tenacity, and passion to one of the most demanding roles in musical theatre. Steve Kinrade caught up with her to talk about what it means…
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Review: Afloat At Unity Theatre
When Theatre Becomes Testimony: Afloat Challenges, Moves, and Uplifts Tonight’s performance of Afloat at the Liverpool Unity Theatre was a powerful testament to the potential of theatre as both social commentary and communal catharsis. Devised by director Phoebe McSweeney through a series of workshops with asylum seekers and those working alongside them, Afloat is a moving, dystopian vision that holds a mirror up to contemporary Britain—one that dares to ask: what if we were the…
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SoundYard New Electronic Music Venue To Open In Liverpool This June
This summer marks the arrival of SoundYard, a bold new 900-capacity venue set to become a flagship destination for electronic music in Liverpool. Launching in June 2025, SoundYard will celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage with a forward-looking approach — offering immersive music experiences, curated day parties, and a vibrant daytime programme that goes far beyond the dancefloor. Located in the heart of the Baltic Triangle, SoundYard is a versatile indoor-outdoor venue, designed to cater…
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Theatre As Testimony: Afloat Amplifies Voices Often Left Unheard
Afloat is a powerful and urgent piece of theatre developed in collaboration with Asylum Link Merseyside and directed by Phoebe McSweeney. Created through workshops with asylum seekers and support workers, the performance offers a poignant exploration of migration, political extremism, and human resilience. Set in a dystopian fictional city, the narrative follows the strained relationship between Angela, a right-wing political candidate, and Sam, a community worker supporting asylum seekers. As the Blue Party gains power…
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VideOdyssey Needs You: UK’s Last Video Shop Calls for Volunteers
Liverpool’s most unique arts venue, VideOdyssey – affectionately known as the ‘UK’s last video shop‘ – is calling out for volunteers to join a one-of-a-kind film archiving project. Home to thousands of rare VHS tapes, vintage memorabilia, and retro arcade games, VideOdyssey offers visitors a nostalgic escape into the golden age of home entertainment. Now, the team is embarking on a mission to catalogue and preserve its massive collection for future generations — and they…
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MusicSeen: How A Liverpool-Born Initative is Uniting The Music Community
MusicSeen was born from Connor Di Leo and Nina Himmelreich’s shared desire to make Liverpool’s music scene more connected, visible, and inclusive. Drawing on their experiences at LIPA and Nina’s research into gender inequality in music, the platform began with a simple list of local FLINTA artists and has since grown into a vital hub for musicians, fans, and industry professionals. With searchable databases, curated playlists, and a strong focus on community, MusicSeen is helping…
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Firehawks: Groundbreaking Liverpool Exhibition Sheds Light on Firesetting and Childhood Trauma
A powerful new photography exhibition exploring the hidden world of firesetting and its psychological roots is set to open at Liverpool’s Open Eye Gallery this September. Running from 26 September to 16 November 2025, Firehawks is the first exhibition of its kind to address the complex and often misunderstood behaviour of firesetting through a visual arts lens. The work of photographer Stephen King, the show features around 20 atmospheric images that eschew documentary tropes in…
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Creative Spotlight: In Conversation with David Booth MRSS
Guiding viewer’s perception beyond the visual… David Booth MRSS – a distinguished member of the Royal Society of Sculptors – stands as a significant voice in contemporary art. Holding the esteemed MRSS accreditation, a mark of established artists contributing meaningfully to the language of sculpture, Booth’s diverse practice spans a compelling range of mediums. From striking sculptures and immersive installations to intricate ceramics, evocative paintings, and innovative digital artwork, his creations demonstrate a profound engagement…
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Victoria Road: How Street Art Revived A New Brighton Neighbourhood
Victoria Road in New Brighton could easily serve as a blueprint for how a once run-down area can transform into a thriving, attention-grabbing destination — for all the right reasons. Firstly, rather than the predictable high influx of popular large retail business chains dominating our streets, it makes a refreshing change to see independent businesses on Victoria Road flourishing. Nevertheless, another key factor making Victoria Road stand out is the inclusion of street art throughout…
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Liverpool-Based Art-Pop Songwriter, Dorothy Bird, Announces New Album ‘Whispering Paper’
Following acclaim for her debut album Belonging, art-pop songwriter Dorothy Bird returns with her most personal work to date. Whispering Paper will be released on May 3rd 2025 via Liverpool’s Crosstown Records, with a limited edition 12” black vinyl and also available digitally. With ringing endorsements from BBC Introducing, Tom Robinson’s Fresh On The Net, and a host of tastemaking magazines in both England and her native Germany, Dorothy’s sound is startlingly original and unmistakably…
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Echoes of Brazil – A Multisensory Art Exhibition Coming To The Everyman Theatre
Artist Anne Wiziack brings the soul of Brazil to life in her exhibition, Echoes of Brazil—a vibrant, immersive celebration of the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage. More than just a collection of stunning visuals, the exhibition invites audiences to journey through Brazil’s lush landscapes, diverse communities, and powerful traditions. But what sets this exhibition apart is its sensory depth—visitors are encouraged to scan QR codes throughout the gallery space to access the Brazilian music…
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Making Waves With Andy Green: How One Liverpool Artist Is Bringing Hokusai’s Great Wave To Life
For artist and maker Andy Green, a chance experiment with a laser cutter at DoES Liverpool sparked an unexpected journey into the intricate world of Japanese woodblock printing. What began as a curiosity about laser-carving techniques soon became a deep dive into the time-honoured traditions of ukiyo-e, with Hokusai’s iconic The Great Wave off Kanagawa taking centre stage. Now running hands-on workshops in Liverpool and beyond, Andy is offering people the rare chance to physically…
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WoWFEST25: Liverpool’s Radical Writing Festival Marks 25 Years with Star-Studded Line-Up
Liverpool’s acclaimed Writing on the Wall Festival (WoWFEST) is back with a bang this May, celebrating an incredible 25 years of radical storytelling, activism, and creativity. From 1–30 May 2025, venues across the city will host an extraordinary line-up of writers, performers, and cultural commentators for WoWFEST25 — a milestone edition marking a quarter-century of one of the UK’s most powerful literary festivals. The festival boasts an impressive programme featuring legendary punk poet Dr John…
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Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre Announces First Test Events Ahead of Re-Opening
Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre will hold its first test event this month ahead of officially reopening its doors for a full autumn season of entertainment. Dancing in the Aisles, being staged on Easter Sunday, 20 April, will be the first production since the much-loved Hanover Street venue closed its doors in June 2023. The afternoon cabaret show will be a recurring slot at the Epstein, with the first show being hosted by popular Liverpool actor and comedian Lindzi…
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Creative Spotlight: In Conversation with Jason Thompson
Sacred Shed Doors: Jason Thompson’s Paradoxical Vision of Art and Object Liverpool Noise’s Creative Spotlight shines for April on Jason Thompson, a Liverpool native with international acclaim. Thompson’s art, a compelling blend of the sacred and the mundane, manifests as richly layered paintings on found wooden panels. His training under Roger Ackling at Chelsea College of Art informs his intuitive, process- driven approach, where enamel paints and varnish become tools for a continuous cycle of…
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Liverpool Biennial 2025 Unveils ‘BEDROCK’ Theme and Participating Artists
The 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial, titled ‘BEDROCK’, will take place 7 June – 14 September 2025, curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. The theme draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the beliefs which underpin the city. It is inspired by the sandstone which spans the city region and is found in its distinctive architecture. ‘BEDROCK’ also acts as a metaphor for the social foundations of Liverpool and the people, places and values that ground all of…
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Liverpool Film Office Celebrates 35th Anniversary With Incredible New Showreel
Liverpool is rolling out the red carpet for film fans worldwide as Liverpool Film Office marks its 35th anniversary with a breathtaking new showreel, celebrating the region’s starring role on screen. Produced by award-winning Liverpool-based LA Productions and curated by renowned creative director Chris Bernard – whose debut film ‘Letter to Brezhnev’ premiered the same year the Film Office was founded – the showreel captures the magic of Liverpool City Region on film over the past…
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Luke Jerram’s Helios at Liverpool Cathedral: Experience the Sun Like Never Before
Get ready to bask in the brilliance of Helios, the awe-inspiring illuminated sculpture of the Sun, on display at Liverpool Cathedral from 4 April – 9 May 2025. For the first time ever, the UK’s largest cathedral will host this dazzling masterpiece by world-renowned British artist Luke Jerram. Following the success of Museum of the Moon and Gaia, Helios promises to be another unforgettable experience. Special Programme of Events To complement Helios, Liverpool Cathedral has…
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Independents Biennial 2025 Returns To Liverpool City Region
Independents Biennial 2025 will return to Liverpool City Region with 22 new artistic commissions, 64 artists and new work appearing across Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral and St Helens. The artist-led festival, which runs concurrently to Liverpool Biennial, is created to showcase the vibrant art and art scene of the city-region. The Independents Biennial has been showcasing the work of grassroots artists since 1999 and has been known by various names including Tracey, Biennial Fringe and Liverpool…
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In Conversation – Actress And Playwright, Katherine Senior
During World War II, a group of women defied expectations, taking to the skies to ferry vital aircraft. Their extraordinary true stories, marked by courage, loss, and unwavering hope, form the heart of Spitfire Girls. This new play, a co-production by Tilted Wig and MAST Mayflower Productions, is currently touring the UK, landing at Shakespeare North Playhouse from April 23rd-26th, 2025. Liverpool Noise‘s Steve Kinrade sat down with actress and playwright Katherine Senior to delve…
Liverpool has long been recognised as one of the UK’s most creative cities, with a thriving arts and culture scene that continues to inspire, innovate, and attract visitors from across the globe. From world-class art galleries and museums to grassroots exhibitions, community-led projects, and bold new work from emerging artists, the city offers an ever-changing landscape of creativity.
Our arts and culture in Liverpool section celebrates everything from major cultural moments to intimate creative experiences. Here, you’ll find coverage of the city’s most exciting art exhibitions, from Tate Liverpool’s thought-provoking contemporary shows to Bluecoat’s pioneering visual arts programme and FACT’s boundary-pushing exploration of digital culture. We also shine a spotlight on independent galleries and artist-run spaces, such as Output Gallery and dot-art, which champion local talent and give a platform to Liverpool’s diverse artistic voices.
But arts and culture in Liverpool is about more than exhibitions. It’s also about the stories behind the artists, curators, and cultural leaders who shape the city. Through interviews, features, and opinion pieces, we explore the inspirations, challenges, and creative journeys of those contributing to Liverpool’s cultural life. Whether it’s an established painter, a theatre director, or a multidisciplinary artist experimenting with new forms, we share their perspectives and amplify their work.
Liverpool’s cultural calendar is packed with must-see events, and this section keeps you up to date with the highlights. From visual arts festivals like Liverpool Biennial, to multi-arts celebrations such as Africa Oyé and Homotopia, we cover the festivals and events that bring people together and reflect the city’s spirit of creativity and inclusion. Alongside these larger-scale happenings, we also look at grassroots cultural activity—pop-up exhibitions, open studios, and collaborative community projects that keep the city’s cultural identity vibrant and alive.
The city’s strong cultural foundations, built on its history as a UNESCO City of Music and European Capital of Culture 2008, continue to fuel innovation. Today, arts and culture in Liverpool is about creating accessible, inclusive, and exciting opportunities for everyone to experience creativity. Whether you’re interested in traditional painting and sculpture, cutting-edge digital installations, performance art, or cultural heritage, Liverpool offers something for every taste.
By exploring this section, you’ll discover not only what’s on, but also gain insights into why the arts matter here and now. Liverpool’s artists and cultural organisations are shaping important conversations about identity, diversity, community, and the future—and we’re here to share their stories.
So whether you’re planning your next gallery visit, looking to discover a new artist, or simply want to stay connected with the heartbeat of Liverpool’s creative scene, this category is your guide to everything happening in arts and culture across the city.


















