Review
Honest reviews of Liverpool’s gigs, music, theatre, restaurants, bars, exhibitions and more — from trusted local voices.
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Motel Sundown Release Radiant New Track ‘Colours In The Rain’
Liverpool’s Motel Sundown return with their latest single Colours In The Rain and it’s a showcase of the band at their best. Known for their lush harmonies and timeless Americana sound, the group have crafted a track that blends heartfelt reflection with an irresistible upbeat tempo. Written in the shadow of grief but illuminated by hope, Colours In The Rain is an evocative meditation on staying true to yourself and finding light even in dark…
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Review: Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell at Liverpool Playhouse
Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell tells its story without words. On a small Liverpool Playhouse stage, solitary characters leave cramped rooms and gather in a smoky 1930s Soho pub. Each dancer seeks connection, and the tight space makes every hope and heartbreak feel immediate. The performance unfolds a wordless dance drama set in the underpasses and back streets of 1930s London. Inspired by Patrick Hamilton’s interwar tales, it tracks a cast of solitary figures escaping…
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Adam James Johnson Marks His Arrival with Debut Single Quarter Through Life
“I’m a quarter through life and what have I done with it?” sings Merseyside newcomer Adam James Johnson on his debut single Quarter Through Life. It’s an honest, searching line that sets the tone for a track built on raw self-reflection, driven by alt-pop melodies, dynamic vocals, and crisp, aggressive production. Punchy and urgent, the single races forward before hitting an irresistible, addictive chorus. For Johnson, music has always been about “honesty and clarity.” He…
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Review: Treasure Island At The Hope Street Theatre
Treasure Island, the iconic pirate novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson published in 1883, tells the classic tale of buccaneers and buried gold set in the 18th century. Consistently being reimagined by modern directors, this Off Topic Theatre production at The Hope Street Theatre and directed by Clayton Travis found a fresh take on the humor and dialogue which could easily have come off as dusty as a hidden treasure map. Long John Silver,…
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Live Review: No Play Festival 2025
It is that time of the year again when local independent venues in Steel Street, Liverpool, open their doors to No Play Festival. This year, around 39 artists stacked the lineup with a dominating mix of the hardcore scene alongside a slight taste of shoegaze, with bands like Love is Noise on the bill. A few changes were made to this year’s festival, one of which included the expansion to five venues: the Arts Club,…
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Review: I Am Steven Gerrard, The Epstein Theatre
I Am Steven Gerrard opened at the Epstein Theatre 11 September an ideal venue for not only this highly personal performance but for the wider artistic scene in Liverpool. The story boldly captures the journey of Shane, an unwavering supporter of Liverpool Football Club. His fervent desire to emulate his hero, Steven Gerrard, propels him into an emotionally charged exploration that is both compelling and profound. The play masterfully weaves together humour and honest introspection,…
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Live Review: The Hives At Camp and Furnace
Camp and Furnace in Liverpool has hosted multiple shows over the years but tonight the venue is packed out for one of the most entertaining bands on the rock scene, The Hives. Forming in Sweden back in 1993, the band have grown increasingly more popular due to their catchy riffs and huge choruses. They may not of quite hit superstardom the way other bands have but they have a strong fanbase of diehard followers and…
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Everton Helps Open New Sensory Garden at Centre 56 Specialist Nursery
Everton Ambassador Graham Stuart has formally opened a new sensory garden at Centre 56 in Kirkdale. The green space will provide a welcoming open-air environment at the specialist nursery, which cares for young children and families who have experienced domestic abuse or crisis situations in Kirkdale. And Stuart was proud to cut the ribbon to mark the final transformation of the area, watched by delighted Centre staff and parents of the affected children. He said:…
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Curtis Holder Brings His Unique Insight to the Drawing (Paper) Show 2025 at Independents Biennial
Liverpool’s creative pulse thrives at the Bridewell Studios and Gallery Liverpool’s creative scene is buzzing once again, and we at Liverpool Noise are always thrilled to see initiatives that champion artistic talent, especially when they bring fresh perspectives and opportunities to our vibrant city. That’s why the announcement of renowned artist Curtis Holder as the guest judge for the 2025 ‘Drawing (Paper) Show’ has truly piqued our interest. It’s a move that promises to elevate…
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Everton To Host AS Roma In First Full-Capacity Fixture At Hill Dickinson Stadium
Everton Football Club will welcome Italian giants AS Roma to Merseyside for a landmark pre-season friendly at the Club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday 9 August (3pm kick-off). The highly anticipated match will be the first to take place at full capacity in Everton’s stunning new 52,888-seater waterfront home. It marks the final test event and the last pre-season fixture ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign — a historic moment in the Club’s…
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QUARRY To Reopen In Iconic Hardman Street Venue This Autumn
Independent music and arts venue QUARRY has announced it will reopen this Autumn at 45 Hardman Street, the legendary former home of The Magnet and The Sink Club. The move signals an exciting new chapter for the grassroots venue following the closure of its Love Lane site in May. Known for its progressive programming, community-led ethos, and support of Liverpool’s underground and LGBTQI+ music scenes, QUARRY’s relocation to the city centre marks a significant step…
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HELP (House Everyone In Liverpool Properly) Campaigners Spotlight Human Stories In Toxteth Library Exhibition
Local housing campaign group HELP (House Everyone in Liverpool Properly) are building an ongoing campaign to demand genuinely affordable, secure social housing in the city. HELP have recently launched a petition calling on developers Peel Waters Development and Liverpool City Council to include significantly more social housing both Peel Waters and future developments. Current plans for the waterfront site claim 20% ‘affordable’ housing — but campaigners stress that ‘affordable’ and social housing are not the same. “‘Affordable’ homes are…
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New Exhibition Celebrates Early Years of Pete Burns In Liverpool
A striking new photography exhibition opens in Liverpool this June, offering a rare glimpse into the formative years of one of the city’s most iconic 1980s performers. Total Stranger: The Unseen Photographs of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive 1978–1983 launches on Saturday 7 June at Café Tabac on Bold Street. The exhibition features black and white images by acclaimed rock photographer Francesco Mellina, capturing the raw energy of Liverpool’s late ’70s and early ’80s…
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Sound City+ Unites Global Music Industry in the North for a Day of Inspiring Talks and Debate
In the largest gathering of the music industry in Liverpool for decades, the Sound City+ Conference (Friday 2 May) served up a memorable day of talks, debates, panels, workshops and keynote addresses pointing to the future of the music industry across the globe. Tackling the most pressing topics and questions posed to the music industry, Sound City+ delivered on its promise of a day inspiring change that confirms Sound City’s place at the heart of…
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In Conversation – Esme Bridie
Angry Girl, Honest Songs: Esme’s Emotional Core… Esme Bridie, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Liverpool, presents a captivating dichotomy. Beneath her seemingly sweet exterior lies a self-proclaimed ‘angry girl,’ a raw honesty that permeates her music. With intricate guitar lines and deeply emotive vocals, Esme crafts songs that resonate with an intimate intensity. Her live performances further amplify this, drawing audiences into her personal world before unleashing the power of her driving band arrangements.…
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Will Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold Commit Their Futures to Liverpool?
Fortunate as it was, Liverpool won the first leg of the knockout Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital last week to continue their seemingly ceaseless march toward major honours. Domestically the Reds look nailed on to secure their 20th top flight title with the Premier League betting odds putting their closest contenders Arsenal at 28/1, with Arne Slot’s men at a phenomenal 3/100. Despite that there is still consternation on Merseyside as…
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Live Review: The Lottery Winners At The O2 Academy
Over the past few years, Leigh-based band The Lottery Winners have built a reputation as one of the most engaging support acts on the circuit. Their success has seen them perform at major festivals and open for acts like Nickelback, Noel Gallagher, and Richard Ashcroft. Their growing popularity is evident in the number of sold-out shows on their Keep On Keeping On (KOKO) tour. Rumours abound (fuelled on the night by frontman Thom Rylance) that…
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Date Set For Second Everton Stadium Test Event
Everton has confirmed the date of the second Everton Stadium test event, with supporters set to get another opportunity to see inside the Club’s new home on Sunday 23 March. A crowd of more than 10,000 watched a historic Under-18s friendly earlier this month as the doors of the Blues’ state-of-the-art waterfront stadium opened for the first time. The second test event – a friendly involving Everton Under-21s – will be a daytime affair, with…
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Why Liverpool Is the Perfect City To Get On The Property Ladder
Liverpool is quickly solidifying its reputation as one of the UK’s most attractive locations for those looking to buy their first home. From its affordability to its unique blend of opportunity and lifestyle, the city is drawing attention from first-time buyers and investors alike. Let’s explore why Liverpool stands out as a gateway to property ownership. A City That’s Affordable and Accessible For anyone dreaming of owning a home, affordability is key—and Liverpool delivers. While…
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Camelphat Presents ‘Experience’: Second Date Added At Blackstone Warehouse
Following last month’s announcement of Camelphat‘s highly anticipated return to Liverpool to debut their innovative new concept, Experience, tickets for Easter Sunday have completely sold out. Due to overwhelming demand, a second date has now been added on Saturday 19 April, setting the stage for an unforgettable Easter Weekend takeover. The globally renowned DJ/Producers will be unveiling their brand-new show Experience in their beloved hometown. Camelphat presents Experience will be an immersive trip for the…
From intimate gigs and bold new theatre to indie food spots, pop-up events and buzzing new bar openings. At Liverpool Noise, we’re here to capture it all with honest, insightful and independent reviews that celebrate the city’s creative and cultural energy.
Our “Review” section covers everything from live music and album drops to restaurant launches, exhibitions, fringe theatre and cocktails at midnight. If it’s happening in Liverpool and it’s worth talking about, we’re there — notebook (or phone) in hand.
Whether you want to know if a new venue lives up to the hype, what a touring band sounded like live, or whether a fringe play hit the mark, we’ve got you covered with real opinions from trusted local voices.
Music & Gig Reviews
Liverpool’s music scene is world-renowned — and it’s still producing magic every night of the week. Our gig reviews take you right into the crowd, capturing the vibe, the sound, and the stand-out moments from local and touring acts alike.
We cover:
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Intimate grassroots gigs and big headline shows
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Local band launches and EP/album releases
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Music festivals like Sound City and LIMF
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Iconic venues like The Cavern, O2 Academy, Camp and Furnace, Jacaranda and more
Expect honest, passionate write-ups that give you the flavour of each live performance, plus links to discover more from the artists we love.
Theatre Reviews
Liverpool’s theatre scene is as diverse as its music — and our team is there to review it all. From big-name musicals at the Empire to gritty new writing at Unity or fringe shows at Hope Street Theatre, we offer balanced and thoughtful reviews that celebrate creativity while holding space for constructive critique.
Our reviews highlight:
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Standout performances and direction
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Audience atmosphere and venue experience
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What worked, what didn’t, and who should go see it
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Representation, accessibility and relevance
Whether it’s comedy, drama, experimental work or family-friendly fun, our theatre reviews help you decide what’s worth booking.
Restaurant & Bar Reviews
Liverpool’s food and drink scene is thriving — and we’re always on the lookout for the best new spots to eat, drink and hang out.
Our restaurant and bar reviews include:
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New openings and pop-up concepts
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Vegan and vegetarian food spots
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Cocktails, craft beer, wine bars and hidden speakeasies
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Local independents and places doing things differently
We believe in celebrating good hospitality and shining a light on independent, creative businesses doing great things — especially those who bring something new to the table.
Each review shares:
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Atmosphere, design and service
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Dish and drink recommendations
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Price points and value for money
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Who it’s perfect for (date night, group meal, casual lunch, etc.)
Arts, Exhibitions & Events
From immersive installations to heritage exhibitions, Liverpool is home to a thriving visual arts and cultural events scene.
We review:
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Exhibitions at venues like Tate Liverpool, FACT, Open Eye Gallery and the Bluecoat
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Cultural events such as Liverpool Biennial
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Creative experiences including street art tours, installations and festival performances
Our goal is to help you engage more deeply with the city’s cultural offering — and support the artists and curators shaping its future.
Why Trust Our Reviews?
We’re Liverpool-based, independent, and passionate about the city’s creative life. Our team doesn’t chase hype or sugar-coat experiences — we focus on authentic, well-written reviews that give our readers a genuine sense of what to expect.
What you’ll always find in our reviews:
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Firsthand experience
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Clear, honest opinions
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Local insight and context
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A focus on indie, creative and community-led ventures
We believe that great writing helps people connect with the city in a deeper way — whether they’re a local, a student, or a visitor.