Some of Knowsley (and Liverpool’s) most iconic musical exports are set to come to the borough for the Knowsley Music Festival 2022, which runs from 10 – 18 November and tickets are available from 7pm today (Monday 10 October).
Household names including China Crisis, Craig Charles, Space, John Power, Ian Prowse, The Real Thing, DJ Les Spaine and ZuZu will all be playing during the 10-day period at some very special venues across the borough including Shakespeare North Playhouse and St. Chad’s Church, Kirkby.
Up and coming performers will also showcase their talents, including some Knowsley-grown talent such as Louis Berry, Natalie McCool, LA LAVANDE, Chris Kearney, Eleanor Nelly, and SILENT-K, originally co-founded by Chris Taylor and Dave McCabe (The Zutons), who decided on the band name as they both originate from Knowsley.
There are some exciting opportunities for the borough’s musical youth too. At a special event young people aged 12-18 are invited to see Liverpool born DJ, producer and radio presenter Anton Powers perform for free alongside DJ 2Kind. And for those looking to be the future names in music, industry experts will be sharing their experience at a specially Getting into the Music Industry event which will include vocal training, in-conversation sessions, DJ workshops and much more.
The festival’s programme is being designed by Liverpool-based music consultant Yaw Owusu who has worked with high profile events and organisations like Liverpool International Music Festival, Universal Records, the MOBOs, MTV and the BBC to name just a few. He said: “The festival line up has been designed to first and foremost champion some amazing talent from the borough and platform music that audiences from Knowsley are interested in and will resonate with, as well as provide a variety of quality, affordable and distinct events in important spaces across the borough.
“As always, the aim is that there is something for all to engage in – whether that be enjoying the sounds of well-known bands, artists and DJs, or learning more about the music industry or discovering new talent who may very well become the next musical leaders in Liverpool and further afield!”.
Throughout the festival pubs and clubs in the borough will be transformed into music venues with gigs and music events taking place. Knowsley Council is providing grant funding for performers, promoters and venues that wish to put on their own shows – more information about how to get involved can found be here.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said:
“Knowsley Music Festival is part of our year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture and is a celebration of our borough’s enviable musical heritage. We’ve put together a really exciting line-up, with something for everyone to enjoy. Significantly we are giving our local businesses the opportunity to get involved, by financially investing in grass-root events means they can develop their own audiences and play a really important role in the festival as a whole.”
KNOWSLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE UP
Tickets will be available from 7pm on Monday 10 October. Visit www.cultureknowsley.co.uk/knowsley-music-festival/ for the full line up and to book.
An evening with China Crisis and Space
Thursday 10 November
7 – 11pm (doors 6pm)
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prospero Place, Prescot, L34 3AB
£11 (£15 door price)
Bringing together two of Liverpool’s most iconic bands, both with a connection to Knowsley, for an evening of their huge hits and fan favourites that are loved by many. Prescot born and bred emerging artist LA LAVANDE will open the show.
BONKERS! With Anton Powers, DJ 2Kind + More TBA
Friday 11 November
6 – 9.30pm (doors 6pm)
Halewood Leisure Centre, Baileys Lane, Halewood, L26 0TY
For ages 12 – 18
FREE
The region’s young people are invited to an evening with Anton Powers, and DJ 2 Kind with more to be announced.
John Power (Cast) and Ian Prowse & Amsterdam (Acoustic) + ZuZu
Friday 11 November
6 -10pm (doors 6pm)
Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, Longview Drive, Huyton, L36 6EG
£8 (£12 door price)
These two legends of the Liverpool music scene, both with huge and dedicated followings, will be performing a range of tracks from their legendary back catalogues. Supporting them will be ZuZu, a Liverpool-born singer-songwriter bringing her own style of grunge-guitar Pop!
Knowsley Next: Getting into the Music Industry
Saturday 12 November
1pm – 6pm
Our Place, Longview Dr, Huyton, Liverpool L36 6EG
FREE
As well as experiencing world class music during the Knowsley Music Festival, the borough’s young people will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts on what it takes to get into the music business.
Including in conversation events, masterclasses, vocal coaching and DJ workshops this will be a chance for the borough’s ambitious young people to get insider knowledge and help them carve their future lives in music.
The Real Thing (Live), Craig Charles and DJ Les Spaine
Thursday 17 November
7 – 11pm (doors 6pm)
St. Chad’s Church, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby
£11 (£15 on the door)
A celebration of Soul, R&B and Funk with a scouse twist! This trio of seminal music legends will bring the house down at St Chad’s Church.
Knowsley Next: New Music Showcase with Dave Monks (BBC Music Introducing)
Friday 18 November
6pm – 10.00pm (doors 6pm)
Our Place, Longview Drive, Huyton, L36 6EG
FREE
BBC Radio Merseyside’s Dave Monks presents a selection of local Liverpool musical talent including Louis Berry, SILENT-K, Chris Kearney, Eleanor Nelly, and Natalie McCool.
Knowsley Music Festival: at a venue near you!
Saturday 12 to Saturday 19 November
A key part of the Knowsley Music Festival will be the support from local venues, promoters, programmers and performers who have the chance to bid for funding to present a gig as part of the festival.
Bursaries for between £250 – £500 are available and more information can be found here.
Knowsley Music Festival 2022 is part of Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.
BOROUGH OF CULTURE
Visit www.cultureknowsley.co.uk or follow @cultureknowsley on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for all the latest info about our year.
The Borough of Culture title was introduced by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. It is awarded annually on a rotational basis to one of the six local authorities that make up the Liverpool City Region.
The Borough of Culture is part of the 1% for Culture initiative which commits at least 1% of the Liverpool City Region’s annual gain share (£300k) to cultural projects/activities. Established as an annual award rotating around the boroughs, the Borough of Culture helps to celebrate, amplify and strengthen the existing cultural offer, develop new ideas and initiatives that will underpin future development and legacy.
Liverpool City Region is the first Combined Authority to have control over culture in its devolution deal, utilising many of the region’s existing assets and talent to stimulate cultural and creative opportunities.
The Borough of Culture was first launched in St Helens in 2018, followed by Wirral 2019, Sefton 2020, Halton in 2021 and is currently held by Knowsley for 2022. The programme rotation will recommence in 2023 back in St Helens.
