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Plans for the ambitious new Liverpool International Music Festival have been unveiled, with Neil Young headlining alongside Soul II Soul and Ghostpoet.
A first wave of headline acts were announced today including pop favourites Little Mix and JLS, who will be visiting as part of their last tour. Further acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
The festival, which will replace Matthew Street Festival, consists of events and performances over five weeks in August and September across the city.
Kicking off on 18 August, Neil Young & Crazy Horse perform at the Echo Arena, but the festival will be in full swing during the August bank holiday weekend.
There will be an admission free Sefton Park stage with music from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Soul II Soul, a Beatles day and performances from local acts.
The Pier Head will see performances from JLS, Little Mix, Elisa Doolittle and Union J on the first day of the bank holiday, with Saturday tickets from £20.
Also performing on stages on the Sunday at the Pier Head will be well-known artists organised by Juice FM performing alongside the likes of The Hummingbirds and Chelcee Grimes during the Party at the Pier themed day.
Acts will also pay homage to artists such as Queen, Adele, Robbie Williams and Coldplay, with Sunday tickets costing £5.
Also part of LIMF will be International Beatles Week, from 21 to 27 August, organised by Cavern City Tours.
Bands from over 20 countries and fans from over 40 countries including live gigs, exhibitions, memorabilia sales, guest speakers, video shows, sightseeing tours and a convention will take place.
Festival venues include the Cavern Club and Cavern Pub in Mathew Street, the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool Cathedral and the Philharmonic Hall.
The festival’s creator Yaw Owusu, who is also an artist manager looking after talented rapper Kof, said the festival was ambitious – but that is the only way to do things in Liverpool.
He said: “It is an ambitious festival, which is just what Liverpool needs.
“You can’t do anything half-hearted in this city, you have to go all out.
“And that’s just what we’ve done, by pulling together a diverse and high profile mix of artists.
“The shows won’t be segregated where people who pay get to see the best artists, there’s going to be a good spread of talent and a high standard across all the festival’s venues.
“The response from artists and music industry insiders has been fantastic, everyone has been keen to get involved in this new-look festival, working together to make it a success.
“Liverpool is synonymous with music, particularly great live music, and the LIMF programme will showcase the very best local and international acts have to offer which will be really inspirational for the thousands who take part in the event.
“There is a real energy around LIMF and I’m confident this will be an unforgettable programme and an unforgettable experience.”
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “Our aim for this event was to bring something fresh and new to the city, and at the same time keep the very best elements of the Mathew Street Music Festival. I firmly believe we have surpassed all expectations.
“The diverse music on offer ranges from internationally renowned artists through to home grown talent and some of the best acts paying tribute to iconic acts from the last 20 years. And the fact that we have included not just our waterfront but also one of our beautiful green spaces makes this event really stand out.
“There’s been a real focus on working with partners in the city’s music industry to make sure it showcases not only Liverpool’s musical heritage, but also demonstrates that we’re a forward-looking city celebrating greatness.
“I am truly grateful to all of those in the industry who have supported our ambition for this event. They have helped us develop something truly unique.
“Working with many people from the commercial to voluntary sector, this is not a city council or a single organisation delivering an event, it is a whole city’s response.”
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.limfestival.com