Liverpool
Boss! Liverpool is a city that dances to its own beat - and 50 years after The Beatles exploded onto the world stage, it’s still making all the right noises.
Thoughts immediately jump to the ‘Fab Four’, but Liverpool’s diverse musical heritage goes back hundreds of years thanks to the city’s development as one of the world’s most important ports.
A UNESCO Music City for good reason, Merseyside’s contribution to the world of pop has been extensive, with notable acts including: Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark, The Mighty WAH!, Echo & The Bunnymen, Dead or Alive, The Lightning Seeds, Space, Mel C, Atomic Kitten, and, of course, Eurovision Song Contest 1993 runner-up… Sonia!
The Liverpool Arena on the world-famous waterfront attracts some of the biggest acts on the planet today! Beyonce, Paul McCartney, Elton John and the MTV Europe Music Awards are just some of the unforgettable live experiences hosted since its launch to mark Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
On top of the pop heritage, Liverpool is also home to one of the finest orchestras in Europe. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, whose home is at the beautiful art deco Philharmonic Hall, is a critically acclaimed orchestra led by Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan. And regular shows by world-class jazz, pop, rock and folk performers prove ‘The Phil’ is more than capable of going beyond orchestral manoeuvres.
The sounds of Liverpool are as varied as its clubs and venues. Any night of the week, you’ll find a thrilling mix of venues hosting live shows for house, rock, jazz, rock, or something laid-back and acoustic.
Wherever you go in this city, you’re never too far away from music.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, had this to say:
‘The Liverpool City Region is the UK's cultural capital - home to a flourishing music scene that has been entertaining and inspiring the world for decades. It is a massive part of our identity, and we are a proud UNESCO City of Music. It's safe to say that Liverpool wouldn't be Liverpool without music - and music wouldn't be music without Liverpool.
No region in the UK has had more number one hits - and nowhere can throw a party quite like us. I can think of nowhere more qualified, more experienced or more fitting to host the Eurovision than the Liverpool City Region.’
MerseyTravel has offered some advice on getting around the city during those busy two weeks, as well as some travel tips for anyone visiting Liverpool.
You can find out more about Liverpool and their bid on the Culture Liverpool website and the Visit Liverpool website, blog and Instragram.
Listen to all 37 songs of the Eurovision Song Contest via your favourite streaming services, and watch the official music videos on our YouTube channel:
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