Our Guide to Liverpool Music Week 2020
Liverpool Music Week is back this month, celebrating its 15th birthday with an amazing 10 day musical takeover of the city.
Featuring one of the biggest star-studded line ups we’ve ever seen, this year’s festival promises to be the biggest party they’ve ever held.
Nile Rodgers’ outstanding CHIC will open this incredible festival at the ECHO Arena on Thursday 26th October, it’s one of the most highly anticipated billings this year.
The festival will then run until Saturday 4th November when Everything Everything headline the closing party, alongside some of Liverpool’s most outstanding musical talent.
Liverpool Music Week 2017 is sure to be an event no one will forget; here’s everything you need to know.
Who’s Playing
Every Autumn the city’s venues open their doors to some of the world’s best musicians, as well as a selection of Merseyside’s finest artists.
With a huge range of talent and genres, Liverpool Music Week caters for everyone. Over 70 acts will play across nine venues throughout the week, with the climax being the spectacular closing party.
We’ve picked out our favourite bands and artists to look out for and where to catch them.
CHIC
Where: ECHO Arena
When: Thursday 26th October
Nile Rodgers and his hugely famous ensemble, CHIC, are playing their first Liverpool date since 1979.
The legendary disco band will open the ten day long festivities with a smashing mix of their factory of pop classics including We Are Family, Le Freak and Good Times.
Renowned for their live spectacles including their Sunday evening smash at this year’s Glastonbury Festival on the Pyramid Stage, CHIC are this year’s must see.
A multi-Grammy-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist whose influence on popular music transcends disco, funk, dance, Nile Rodgers’ musical legacy is unparalleled.
Expect to hear a mix of old school hits as well as modern classics such as Daft Punk’s Get Lucky.
There really isn’t a live music show quite like CHIC, and we can’t think of anyone better to open this milestone year.
Mount Kimbie
Where: Invisible Wind Factory
When: Friday 27th October
Also joining the bill are London electronic duo, Mount Kimbie.
They’ll be taking to the stage at the Invisible Wind Factory for an evening of hazy electronica, rich with drowsy ambience, it’s the perfect contrast to CHIC the night before.
The first date of their brand new tour promoting forthcoming new album, ‘Love What Survives’, Mount Kimbie are a welcome addition to this year’s brilliant line up.
Having collaborated with the likes of King Krule and James Blake, this gig is sure to be a highlight of the festival.
Dan Croll
Where: Arts Club Theatre
When: Sunday 29th October
Recently releasing a new album which sees him moving to a more mature, well rounded sound, we can’t wait to see Dan take to the stage.
Having toured the world supporting the likes of Mumford & Sons and been featured on FIFA, Dan Croll returns to his familiar university-days stomping ground with his heartfelt songbook.
Abstract Orchestra
Where: 24 Kitchen Street
When: Sunday 29th October
Source: Getintothis
Keeping 24 Kitchen Street’s hip hop credentials burning brightly, Abstract Orchestra will be playing their legendary Madvillain’s (MF DOOM and Madlib) iconic debut album ‘Madvillainy’ in full on Sunday 29th October.
Paying homage to the cult classic, the 16-piece orchestra have created a bespoke live show to celebrate the album, playing the full album and throwing in a few DOOM one offs.
In 2004 MF DOOM and Madlib came together to create ‘Madvillainy’, combining the vocal prowess of MF DOOM and the unmatched production skill of Madlib. This went on to become one of the biggest albums in hip hop.
Japanese Breakfast
Where: EBGBS
When: Tuesday 31st October
The solo musical project of Michelle Zauner, Japanese Breakfast shot to fame this year after the release of her latest album, ‘Soft Sounds from Another Planet’.
Firmly placed on the cutting edge of new music, this talented musician will bring her unique mix of Pacific Northwest indie rock and shoegaze to the recently refurbished EBGBs.
Backed by her band she brings an unexpected energy to her set showing that she has an undeniable amount of substance to match the obvious amount of style.
She will play with support from Jude the Obscure, Mary Miller and Bill Nickson.
Jungle
Where: Invisible Wind Factory
When: Wednesday 1 November
Next on the bill of this year’s Liverpool Music Week are the amazing Jungle.
A London neo-soul outfit, this hugely popular ensemble offer a stunning mix of modern soul and are famous for creating an unrivalled party atmosphere during their live performances.
Enjoying huge success all over the globe, Jungle are back and we can’t wait.
Goat Girl
Where: EBGBs
When: Thursday 2nd November
Source: DIY Mag
If you’re into furiously loud music that is full to the brim with distortion pedals and poignant lyrics, do not miss Goat Girl’s set at EBGBs.
Having already supported bands like Parquet Courts, The Lemon Twigs and The Fall, Goat Girl are made up of Clottie Cream, Naima Jelly, Rosy Bones, and L.E.D.
Expect them to rip the so-called millennial culture to pieces with brooding tracks and raucous lyrics.
Princess Nokia
Where: Invisible Wind Factory
When: Friday 3rd November
Emerging from the NYC underground hip hop scene, Princess Nokia, aka Destiny Frasqueri is set to take the stage of the Invisible Wind Factory the night before the closing party.
Chopping up electronic beats with trip-hop, RnB and trap, Princess Nokia’s sharp verses collide with this fresh sound head-on.
On the verge of leaping into the big leagues, she’s already made a name for herself as a performer that really packs a punch.
She’s cool and doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks, expect a lot of attitude and an unforgettable performance.
Everything Everything
Where: The Invisible Wind Factory & North Shore Troubadour
When: Saturday 4th November
Closing the show with one almighty party are Manchester quartet, Everything Everything.
Having just released their critically acclaimed fourth studio album, ‘A Fever Dream’, the Manc lads will be hoping to end Liverpool Music Week on a high.
On a quest to bring more experimentation and creative ambition back into pop music, their most recent album entered the UK charts at number 5, establishing them as one of the most progressive, inventive and exciting bands in British music.
They’ll play alongside 27 other artists across five carefully curated stages on the North Liverpool Docks.
Joining Everything Everything are Perfume Genius, AJ Tracey and Zola Jesus alongside some of the finest new and emerging acts in the region such as GIT Award 2017 winners She Drew The Gun and The Tea Street Band.
Plus many more…
As well as these top picks, there are loads more brilliant bands and artists performing all over the city.
Try to catch Genghar as they take to the stage at The Magnet, having just announced the their new album ‘Where the Wilderness Grows’.
Blanck Mass are also putting on an incredible night of atmospheric ambience on Halloween night at 24 Kitchen Street.
There are also a huge range of local Liverpool acts, including SPQR, Pink Kink, Queen Zee and the Orielles, proudly flying the scouse flag.
The Venues
Source: Skiddle
Liverpool Music Week is famous for its take over of the city centre, from huge arenas to small, intimate cafes, this year’s festival will see performers playing in various venues dotted around Liverpool.
CHIC will open the event with a bang at Liverpool’s famous ECHO Arena. With a capacity of 11,000 and a mix of seating and standing tickets available, this is sure to be one of the biggest openings the event has ever seen.
The festival will then take over musical hubs such as the Arts Club, EBGBs, The Magnet and District, with LEAF playing host to intimate stripped back sets and 24 Kitchen Street playing host to an eclectic mix of dance and hip hop.
To round off the epic ten days of musical madness, Everything Everything will be headlining the closing party on Saturday 4th November. This epic event will take place at the Invisible Wind Factory & North Shore Troubadour on the North Liverpool Docks across four carefully curated stages.
Where to Get Tickets
You can buy individual tickets for each gig, all prices vary. Or buy a wristband for £65 which gives you access to all shows.
Tickets available from: ticketquarter.co.uk and www.liverpoolmusicweek.com
Liverpool Music Week 2017
Liverpool Music Week is the UK’s largest indoor winter music festival, attracting tens of thousands of people to the city each year.
Previously, the festival played host to huge acts like John Carpenter, Warpaint, Dinosaur Jr, Richard Hawley, The Chemical Brothers and many more.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to Liverpool Music Week 2017, if you’re visiting the city and need a helping hand on the best places to eat and drink, check out our guides to the best places to get street food and our ultimate guide to a night out in the Ropewalks.
