Music
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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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Music
Keyside’s New EP, ‘Michael (What’s Your Call)’, Is Heartfelt & Hook-Driven
The excellent EP Michael (What’s Your Call) by Liverpool’s four-piece Keyside, is out now! Alongside the EP release and unveiling the title track, they will be celebrating a string of recent successes, including three out of five sold out shows for their March tour. The outstanding track Runaway provides listeners with an energetic and upbeat tempo paired perfectly with a snappy chorus. The clever metaphors and similes that run throughout the song tell a captivating…
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Festivals
Creamfields 2025 Line-Up Revealed
After weeks of anticipation, Rockstar Energy presents Creamfields 2025 has finally revealed its colossal lineup and it does not disappoint. Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the festival will see over 300 of the world’s biggest electronic music artists performing across 30 stages, cementing its status as the ultimate destination for dance music fans. Creamfields 2025 Star-Studded Lineup This year’s lineup boasts an impressive array of talent, including UK-exclusive performances from Anyma and…
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Festivals
Sound City+ Conference: The New Heart of The Music Business
Liverpool is set to become the focal point of the music industry as the Sound City+ Conference returns on Friday 2 May, 2025. With a packed schedule of discussions, workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities, this year’s conference solidifies Sound City’s role in championing and supporting emerging creative and industry talent. Industry Leaders Set to Gather in Liverpool The conference will host top music industry executives from the UK and Europe, including: Dr Jo Twist OBE…
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Music
KEEF Release Their Hypnotic New Single ‘You And Me Against The World’
You And Me Against The World is the latest single from North West-based five-piece KEEF—a track that feels oddly fitting for the times we’re living in. Straight off the bat, it felt as if I was listening to the Echo and the Bunnymen of the 21st Century. The track itself has this brooding darkness that drips atmosphere. It seamlessly manages to be mysterious without compromising on what it’s trying to say—both lyrically and musically. In…
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Music
Live Review: Papa Roach At M&S Bank Arena
The first major arena show of 2025 took place at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. An eager crowd gathered for the final night of Wage War and Papa Roach’s UK arena tour. With torches flashing in excitement, fans waited in anticipation for an unforgettable night of metalcore and rock anthems. As smoke began to fill the stage, and the lights dimmed to a moody blue, Florida-based metalcore band Wage War took the stage. Their…
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Music
Sam Millne & The Virants Deliver A Feel-Good Anthem With ‘Pocket Rocket’
Pocket Rocket is an energetic and captivating track that showcases the unique sound of Sam Millne and the Virants. From the moment the song begins, listeners are drawn in by its catchy melody and vibrant instrumentation, creating an uplifting atmosphere that sets the tone for an exciting musical journey. The production is polished, with a blend of various musical elements that work together seamlessly to create a rich listening experience. Lyrically, Pocket Rocket explores themes…
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Music
Liverpool Philharmonic And Help Musicians Launch Physio Toolkit Supporting Musicians’ Health & Wellbeing
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic has partnered with UK charity Help Musicians to launch ‘A Symphony of Good Sense’, a pioneering new toolkit designed to support the physical health and wellbeing of orchestral musicians. Authored by leading UK musicians’ physiotherapist, Dr Sarah Upjohn, ‘A Symphony of Good Sense’ provides physiotherapists and healthcare professionals with comprehensive information to help tailor health and wellbeing provision to musicians’ needs. Musicians face high injury rates, which can lead to significant negative…
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Music
Craig Charles Funk & Soul To Headline The Dome At Grand Central On Easter Sunday
Craig Charles brings his funk & soul party to Liverpool this Easter. From Red Dwarf to Robot Wars to BBC Radio 6 Music and Radio 2, Craig Charles has carved out an impressive career spanning acting, broadcasting, and music. With two decades of radio under his belt, Charles has become one of the UK’s leading funk and soul tastemakers, DJs, and promoters of new music. His pioneering BBC 6 Music Funk and Soul Show has…
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Music
Astles Releases Beautifully Poignant New Single ‘We Could’ve Been Anything’
Astles’ new single, We Could’ve Been Anything, emerges as a deeply personal and poignant piece, carrying the weight of profound themes such as loss, mental health struggles, and the fleeting nature of life itself. Liverpool’s beloved singer-songwriter channels his emotions into a tender song born from an unlikely source: the discovery of his late uncle’s mixtape, found years after his passing. This mixtape, alongside remnants of his uncle’s life – tickets, posters, and records –…
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Music
Bette Schindler Premiers Music Video for ‘I Love You’
Born and raised on a barge in Amsterdam to a bohemian family of jazz musicians, Bette Schindler is a true tour de force – songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, performer, producer, and young mother. Her music weaves effortlessly between the timeless elegance of classic jazz and the fresh, contemporary sounds of modern soul. With songs that radiate optimism, positivity, and love, she channels echoes of modern jazz greats while crafting a sound that is unmistakably her own. Following the release…
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Music
Afro Soul Star Blick Bassy Returns To Liverpool This Spring
A Cameroonian singer-songwriter deeply rooted in the African continent is set to perform in Liverpool this April. The critically acclaimed Blick Bassy has been described as ‘a force of nature’ and is known for his vibrant live performances. On his latest album Mádibá, released in 2023, Blick has chosen to address the environment, particularly the burning issue of water. Navigating between influences from both Africa and the West, Blick’s music – for which he mainly uses mother tongue Bassa – is distinguished…
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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…
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Music
The North West Duke Ellington Orchestra Celebrates World Jazz Day with Spring Tour
This spring, The North West Duke Ellington Orchestra embarks on its first ever tour, marking World Jazz Day with a special performance at Liverpool’s Capstone Theatre on Wednesday 30 April, before headlining the freestage at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on Saturday 3 May. Directed by acclaimed saxophonist and bandleader Phil Shotton, the 15-piece big band brings together Ellington obsessed musicians from across the North West, including Cheshire, Lancashire, Liverpool City Region, and Manchester. The orchestra…
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Music
Live Review: THE HARA, Tropic Gold and Skin Flowers at EBGBS
Promoting the launch of their most recent singles Trophy and The System, Manchester alt-rock outfit THE HARA embark on a UK Tour visiting ‘intimate AF’ venues, bringing them to Liverpool’s EBGBS on Tuesday 4 February. Despite the date falling on a Tuesday night, you would have thought it was the weekend based on the queue of fans snaking down Seel Street around the venue. Minutes after doors open, the standing area in front of the…
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Music
Michael Aldag’s ‘Fantasia’: A Synth-Pop Dreamscape For A New Era
Michael Aldag effortlessly spearheaded his way to top of the sonic circuit with his breezy, synth pop since launching his solo career in 2021. With a rising social media presence and fan base, Aldag utilises his platform with innovative charisma, a position most upcoming artists begrudgingly wince at. But where his online presence is thriving, the Merseyside born artist’s music is equally as burgeoning, gaining millions of streams on Spotify. Described as the “beginning of…
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Music
Liverpool Olympia Celebrates 120 years Of Iconic History in 2025
The historic Liverpool Olympia, one of the city’s live music cultural cornerstones of the community proudly celebrates its 120th anniversary on Saturday 26 April. This monumental milestone marks over a century of world-class performances, cherished memories and culturally significant events. In its time, The Beatles, Paul Weller, New Order, Little Richard, and illusionist and stunt performer Harry Houdini wowed audiences. In recent years, Teddy Swims, The Gossip, Jamie Webster, Elvis Costello and Manic Street Preachers…
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Festivals
Outer Waves Festival: New, Immersive Music & Arts Festival Is Celebrating Liverpool’s Rich Underground
Outer Waves is a new alternative arts festival designed to fill a cultural gap in Liverpool’s existing festival landscape. Inspired by the city’s rich underground music and art history, the festival’s aim is to celebrate and strengthen Liverpool’s grassroots creative communities while inviting international artists and audiences to participate. By blending live music, visual arts, interactive performances, and educational initiatives, Outer Waves will not only provide an unforgettable festival experience but will also foster long-term…
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Music
Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton Bring Iconic Dance Music Book to Liverpool
Liverpool’s dance music lovers are in for a treat as legendary authors Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton bring their acclaimed book Last Night A DJ Saved My Life to Rough Trade Liverpool for a special night of conversation and music. The event, presented by Liverpool-based design studio Dorothy in collaboration with Rough Trade, takes place on 20 June, combining a book signing, an in-depth Q&A, and a live DJ set from the duo. Since its…
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Music
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 Coming To Liverpool
This morning on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Greg James made an exciting announcement: superstar Sam Fender will headline Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025, set to take place at Sefton Park, Liverpool, from Friday 23 May to Sunday 25 May. Joining the lineup are Blossoms, Wet Leg, Myles Smith, and Lola Young. These acts mark the first wave of performers for the festival, with over 100 artists expected to grace the event’s four stages: Radio…
