Liverpool’s Gran Caffè is celebrating a remarkable achievement after securing both Gold and Silver awards at the renowned International Salon Culinaire, one of the world’s most respected culinary competitions that recently took place at Excel in London. Held annually, the International Salon Culinaire brings together elite chefs in a live and static competition environment, where dishes are judged to exacting professional standards. Winning at this level is widely regarded as a mark of excellence within…
The next wave of artists for Africa Oyé’s 2026 festival have been announced. The first Black British female reggae artist to have a number one in the UK; a feminist trio from Togo with a transcendent live show; and an Afrofuturist singer-songwriter will play the iconic Liverpool festival this June. Janet Kay, Nana Benz Du Togo, and Kizaba join the three artists already announced for Africa Oyé ’26 – eco-punks Fulu Miziki, Afrobeats heavyweight Patoranking, and the Afrofuturist…
Alia Boquash – A poet shaped by heritage, community, and Liverpool’s creative undercurrents. Alia Boquash – known to many as Alia Breeze – writes with an instinct that comes straight from lived experience. Her work is shaped by realism, by the grit of south Liverpool streets, and by emotions that don’t soften themselves before arriving on the page. She describes herself as “emotionally charged, heartfelt, and slightly hard faced,” and her poetry carries that same unfiltered energy. For Alia,…
Liverpool-based Irish singer-songwriter Naomi Campbell continues her steady rise with her latest single The Cottage. Serving as the lead track from her upcoming debut EP, The Cottage showcases Campbell’s evolving sound, which has gradually expanded from her folk and Americana roots into something more expansive, drawing subtle influence from soul and R&B. The result is a track that feels both intimate and cinematic, anchored by her dynamic and evocative vocal performance. Recorded at Whitewood Studio…
Formed in Liverpool, The Tusks have been strong contenders on the North West’s emerging artists scene for some time, and their new single, When It Ends, looks set to propel them even further. Drawing on influences such as Arctic Monkeys and Catfish and the Bottlemen, their sound blends gritty guitar riffs with thought-provoking lyricism, and When It Ends is a perfect showcase of this balance. Despite a gentle introduction, the track quickly takes a heavier…
Metquarter has welcomed a unique and educational pop-up museum to the centre in partnership with Merseyside Police. The Merseyside Police Museum will open to the public on the ground floor of the centre from Tuesday 7 April 2026 for a six-week period. The museum will be open Monday – Wednesday, from 10am to 4pm, offering visitors an immersive insight into the history of policing over the years. The free museum will showcase the evolution of…
The end of the financial year and the start of Spring always sees Sutton Kersh have an action packed auction. This year the team sold £6 million pounds worth of property and considering the current climate, is a pretty impressive result. This brings their year to date figure to just under £12 million pounds worth of sales.A mixture of vacant residential properties stole the show, especially these two in South Liverpool. 7 Manvers Road in…
Dear Somebody, Community groups and grassroots organisations are being invited to apply for a share of £600,000 as the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES Fund) officially reopens for 2026. The YES Fund offers funding for projects focused on preventing serious violence by creating brighter futures for young people across Merseyside. Jointly delivered by Merseyside Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the YES Fund provides grants of £5,000–£25,000 for initiatives that give…
Across the UK, many people face small but significant barriers to healthcare. These limitations don’t just shape the speed with which people are seen – they can prevent people seeking help at all. Ensuring everyone has equal access to services is therefore essential in minimising the risk of serious issues. Discover how accessibility issues in healthcare can cause harm and how they’re being addressed to improve the system and the nation’s wellbeing as a whole. …
Kicking off the 2026 UK festival season was So Long, Good Friday, a highly anticipated showcase of genre-bending music located in Liverpool’s own Baltic Triangle. With headliners such as Fat Dog and Brigitte Calls Me Baby, the newcomer festival was sure to be one to remember. Sprawled across multiple venue spaces (Camp and Furnace, District, Hangar 34 and Lost Art), So Long, Good Friday gave voice to upcoming artists predominantly from the Northwest. Faced with a decline in grassroots venues, artists from the North especially need opportunities like So Long, Good Friday…
Leap Dance Festival returns to Liverpool City Region venues next month promising an unmissable fortnight of brilliant performances, workshops and fantastic free events for all the family. The annual festival of dance will take place at theatres, cultural venues and in public spaces between Friday 24 April and Saturday 9 May 2026. Audiences can enjoy stunning new performances from some of the UK’s most exciting contemporary dance companies along with a must-see programme of work from talented dancers from…
A new contemporary Indian restaurant is set to open on Liverpool’s Kings Dock this May, bringing a vibrant and flavour-led dining experience inspired by the rich diversity of Indian cuisine. White Tiger, created by Merseyside-based doctors and long-time friends Meenal Abhyankar and Dhanya Kalathil, will introduce a new concept to the city, one that moves beyond the expected to celebrate the depth, regionality and creativity of Indian food. Meenal and Dhanya, both 47, have spent…
The Kowloons are quickly carving out a reputation for their catchy melodies and authentic indie sound, drawing inspiration from Britpop greats while pushing confidently into new territory. With a new EP out this month and a series of standout live dates lined up, we caught up with the band to talk influences, Liverpool’s thriving music scene, and what 2026 has in store. For people who are just discovering you, how would you describe The Kowloons…
Dicey Reilly’s getting ready to celebrate their 2nd birthday, taking place from 6 – 12 April, coinciding with the iconic Grand National weekend and you will not want to miss it. Marking two years of unforgettable nights, live entertainment, and authentic Irish hospitality, the venue is set to host a seven-day celebration packed with events, exclusive offers, and exciting new experiences. Bringing together “2 Years of Craic, 3 Days of Racing, 1 Massive Party,” Dicey Reilly’s will…
It’s 4am, I’m in a tiny pair of hot pants on a podium. My body is gyrating to the music. I look at the crowd and see people gazing at me. Men and women compliment my legs, my butt, my sexy outfit. The next night I am a fantasy elf. The crowd goes wild as I rip each layer of my glittering costume off to reveal a tiny leather harness and mini undergarment. I am…
Liverpool ONE’s free Easter Party made an egg-citing return this Good Friday (3 April) with something for everybunny! Hosted by local presenters, Jay Hynd and Gemma Cutting, from 11am to 5pm, the party’s packed programme was fun-filled with Easter treats – from bonnet-making to special Easter games. Visitors were greeted by Easter walkabout characters including Plucky the Chicken, walking plant pots and even two bunnies. Over 100 children entered their egg-stravagant handmade designs into the Easter bonnet…
Ahead of his Tales From Paradise Heights, award winning Joe O’Byrne’s The Haunting of Blaine Manor arrives at the Floral Pavilion as part of its national tour with assured theatrical confidence. Atmospheric, tightly paced, and rich with tension, the production makes excellent use of the venue’s intimate setting—transforming shadows, corridors, and unseen corners into characters in their own right. The story centres on the highly respected American parapsychologist Dr Roy Earle, renowned for debunking hauntings and…
Dan Cullinan – A reflective piece from a poet who finds calm in stillness. Dan Cullinan is a poet quietly working his way through Liverpool’s spoken-word and grassroots poetry scene. Since beginning to write seriously in 2017, Cullinan has published two collections, The Vietnam Collection and Accidentally Poetic. Beyond writing, he’s the founder and curator of the open-mic series Give Poetry A Chance, a regular fixture offering free-to-attend nights that bring together seasoned and emerging voices in poetry. With this…
Liverpool-based duo Dealer’s Choice continue to build momentum with the release of their second single Apex, a confident follow-up to their debut track Some Kind of Way, which generated early buzz across the Merseyside music scene earlier this year. Comprised of Irish cousins Joe McHugh and Barry Mullaney, Dealer’s Choice occupy an exciting space between alternative and electronic music, blending dancefloor-ready grooves with thoughtful, introspective undertones. With Apex, the pair lean further into their high-energy…
Fresh from the release of their ninth studio album, The Mountain, Gorillaz put on a dazzling show, worthy of the 15 year wait since their last Liverpool performance in 2001. Jampacked with household classics and soon-to-be hits, the native, so-called ‘virtual band’ filled out the iconic M&S Bank Arena with fans young and old- proving the universality of their brand and music. Set during the peak of the newly released album, The Mountain, the tour with the aptly same name, celebrated…