In Conversation
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation with Ted Roberts
From Welsh Roots to Liverpool Shores: Ted Roberts’ Artistic Journey Welcome to the August edition of Liverpool Noise’s Creative Artist Spotlight, where we shine a light on the incredible talent thriving right here in Merseyside. This month, we’re thrilled to feature Ted Roberts, a Welsh artist whose powerful and evocative work resonates deeply with themes of storytelling, memory, and cultural ritual. Currently based in our vibrant city region, Ted’s artistic journey is as rich and…
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Music
In Conversation: Captain Crocodile
Blending shoegaze textures, slowcore melancholy and a healthy dose of post-punk grit, Captain Crocodile are carving out a sound that’s as immersive as it is emotionally raw. The Liverpool-based duo — Jack Norrie and Raye Osterloh — wrap their music in a haze of mellow nostalgia and shadowy visuals, crafting songs that explore themes of isolation, self-destruction and the strange beauty in monotony. Ahead of their headline slot at the Penny Lane Weekender Opening Party,…
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Music
In Conversation: Lisa Don Francesco (Penny Lane Weekender Festival Manager)
The Penny Lane Weekender proves that big things can grow from small beginnings – especially when driven by a love for live music. From humble beginnings as a single gig above a pub, the Penny Lane Weekender has grown into a buzzing three-day celebration of established and emerging talent. With a 2025 lineup featuring everything from Japanese psych-rock to local post-punk favourites, we caught up with Festival Manager Lisa Don Francesco to talk about its…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation with Paul Curtis
The Art of the City: Paul Curtis on Murals, Milestones, and Merseyside Pride If you’ve wandered the streets of Liverpool with your eyes open, chances are you’ve encountered the vivid, soul-stirring work of Paul Curtis. From the now-iconic For All Liverpool’s Liver Birds wings on Jamaica Street to a growing portfolio of murals that speak to the heart of the city. Once a geologist, now a painter of walls and chronicler of culture, Curtis captures…
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Music
In Conversation – Keyside
Looking to get obsessed with the hottest band around, look no further than local four-piece Keyside. From jamming post-Pandemic to playing BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, I’d advise you to keep an eye on Keyside. The future is looking nothing but bright for the Merseyside-based band. Ahead of their busy summer and headline tour at the end of the year, we caught up with them to ask about their journey so far, their inspirations, and…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation with Julie Lawrence
A Landscape of Light and Memory… There’s a quiet resonance in Julie Lawrence’s work that lingers long after the image fades from view. It’s not just the landscapes she paints—it’s the light within them, the way it flickers and slips between trees, casting shadows that feel both intimate and infinite. Based on the Wirral and deeply rooted in her daily walks through Caldy Hill and Stapledon Woods, Lawrence invites us to pause, to notice, and…
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Arts and Culture
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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Music
In Conversation: Five Talk About Their Autumn Tour, ’90s Nostalgia And Who’s Got The Best Dance Moves
Get ready to party like it’s the 90s — Five are back and hitting the road this autumn with their Keep On Movin’ tour. The multi-platinum boyband, known for iconic hits like Everybody Get Up, If Ya Gettin’ Down and of course Keep On Movin’, are bringing the energy to stages across the UK, including two massive shows in Liverpool. We caught up with the lads to talk tour life, ’90s nostalgia, surprise setlist moments,…
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Music
In Conversation – Credits
Credits Roll in: Reinvention, Resilience and the Sound of Something Real… You might already have heard whispers about one of the most exciting new names on the local music scene – and if not, it won’t be long. Credits are a five-piece with serious pedigree: sharp musicianship, genuine authenticity, and a set of influences that run deep. In their first ever interview under their new moniker, the band sat down with Liverpool Noise’s Steve Kinrade…
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Arts and Culture
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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Music
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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Arts and Culture
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…
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Arts and Culture
In Conversation – Wes Williams (Grin Theatre)
For over a decade, Grin Theatre has been a driving force in LGBTQ+ representation within Merseyside’s theatre scene. Founded in 2011, the company has provided a powerful platform for queer creatives through its dynamic productions, workshops, and mentorships. From the beloved annual Queertet festival to thought-provoking plays that challenge audiences, Grin continues to evolve, collaborating with theatre companies across the North West to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. In this interview, we speak with Wes Williams, the…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation with Jon Barraclough
“To teach is to learn.” The artistic journey of Jon Barraclough is remarkably diverse – spanning drawing, photography, film, teaching, and research. Born in Bradford, he has lived and worked in numerous cities, including Newcastle, London, New York, Manchester, and now Liverpool and North Yorkshire. He has held significant positions, such as the Director of The Liverpool School of Art, and have been instrumental in initiatives like Drawing Paper UK and the Drawing(Paper)Show. His current…
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Arts and Culture
In Conversation – Professor Stephen Davismoon (Angel Field Festival Director)
At Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus in Everton, the Angel Field Festival brings a vibrant blend of international and local artistry to life. Building on the esteemed Cornerstone Festival, Angel Field offers a rich tapestry of music, theatre, dance, film, and visual art. Beyond the campus, the festival weaves its way through Liverpool, partnering with cultural institutions to share its diverse program. With a warm welcome, Angel Field strives to make exceptional arts accessible to…
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Music
In Conversation – Astles
Ahead of the release of Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home, we spoke with Dan Astles – aka Astles – about the deeply personal themes woven throughout the album. From processing grief and nostalgia to crafting a hopeful, cinematic sound, the record reflects a journey of loss, growth, and self-discovery. In our conversation, they share insights into the songwriting process, working with Bill Ryder-Jones, and how Liverpool’s music scene has shaped their artistry. Liverpool Noise:…
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Arts and Culture
In Conversation – Lisa Allen, CEO & Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse
When Lisa Allen took the reins as CEO & Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse in September 2024, she stepped into a venue with a strong foundation and a passionate community behind it. With a deep appreciation for the theatre’s role in both artistic excellence and local engagement, Lisa is leading the Playhouse into an exciting new chapter. In this interview, we discuss her first impressions of the venue and the town’s rich history of…
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Theatre in Liverpool
In Conversation – Ben Blais And Griffin Bellah, Dead Mom Play
Have you ever experienced a play that made you laugh and cry in equal measure? Dead Mom Play, a dark comedy about a young man confronting his mother’s death, has resonated with audiences and critics alike. With reviews highlighting its “funny and moving” nature (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) it’s a play that promises to stay in the mind for a long time. You are highly recommended to catch a performance at the Unity Theatre on Saturday…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation with Ruth Dillon
Ruth Dillon is a multi-disciplinary artist working across photography, film, stop motion animation, and 3D installation. Her concept-driven work explores collective and living community memories, often addressing social issues. Beginning her career in photography and videography, including documenting the first National Aids Day event on Merseyside, she quickly became involved in socially engaged projects. She honed her film and darkroom skills, even contributing to the UK’s first Mobile studio for communities. A short film she…
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Music
In Conversation – Luce Mawdsley
Liverpool-based composer and guitarist Luce Mawdsley (they/them) crafts sonic tapestries woven from progressive experimentation and poetic inspiration. An autistic, nonbinary artist, Mawdsley’s work fearlessly explores the intersections of neurodivergence, mental health, and queerness, transmuting personal experience into subversive narratives of gender, sexuality, place, and identity. Their creative process is a journey of discovery, allowing the music to organically emerge as a landscape shaped by curiosity and intuitive intention. Mawdsley’s latest offering, Northwest & Nebulous, released…
