Stage set for five-star spectacular
• Mathew Street Music Festival to have five stages
• Top companies sponsor stages
• Competition opportunity for new bands
This year’s Mathew Street Music Festival will take place on five stages throughout Liverpool city centre and there will be a distinct Mersey theme to the August Bank Holiday festivities.
Although there is an international flavour with bands from Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Germany and the USA and visitors expected from over 30 countries, the overall emphasis for the Festival’s 19th year is on Liverpool’s rich cultural links and heritage. More than half of the performers will be from the Merseyside region with many of them making their festival debut. While, for the first time ever there will be no dedicated Beatles stage, there is a strong Beatles and Merseybeat presence throughout on each of the stages.
Each of the five stages have attracted sponsors from leading companies, showing the widespread interest in the festival.
Councillor Wendy Simon, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “This year’s festival is the 19th and promises to be one of the best ever. We have sponsors for all the stages and it is really encouraging to see the support we are getting from all over the world from local, national and international companies including giving new bands a great opportunity to play at gigs in the city.
“Whatever your musical taste is, whether it is the sounds of the 60’s or the latest bands, you will find it at the festival. There is a very strong Beatles and Merseybeat theme but there will be plenty of other styles of music, making the Mathew Street Music Festival the place to be during the August Bank Holiday.
“You can also look forward to more exciting new additions to the festival which we will be revealing shortly.”
The five-stage spectacular includes:
The Superlambanana Stage on Tithebarn Street will pay tribute to those Merseyside emigrants who ventured to Australia, Canada & New Zealand and will also reflect Liverpool’s City of Radicals theme for 2011 with tributes to Dylan, Sex Pistols and Neil Young.
Sponsoring this stage is the Midlands top brewery, Marston’s, who are proud sponsors of the England cricket team. They are running a fantastic online competition whereby local bands can upload YouTube videos for the chance to win a gig. Judging will take place after the Festival and the most popular bands will be invited to play at a range of local venues and festivals in 2011 and 2012. For more information visit http://www.marstonsepa.co.uk/mathewst/
Rachel Whillock, Marston’s Marketing Manger said “We are thrilled to be supporting the Mathew Street Music Festival. We believe that it is a great celebration of music and fun in one of the world’s most famous musical cities. We are also delighted to be offering local bands the opportunity to gain additional exposure through our competition”
Derby Square will explore Liverpool’s Celtic Roots and will host the Liverpool Number One Stage; all 53 songs that went straight to the top of the charts will be performed culminating with a special celebration of the music of George Harrison ‘Ten Years On’ since he passed away.
Real Radio, proud sponsors of this stage will be making a number of special broadcasts on each of the festival days. Sally Johnson, Real Radio’s Marketing Manager said “We believe that Mathew Street is one of the most important festivals in the North West Region’s musical calendar. We are very excited about being able to bring the excitement and sheer fun of Mathew Street to an audience right across the North West.
The Tunnel Stage, sponsored by Merseytravel will recognise the scope of the organisation’s business interest in Liverpool, the bands appearing will be relevant to Kingsway Tunnel, Queensway Tunnel, Beatles Story, the Ferry Cross the Mersey, Spaceport and the U-Boat at Woodside. Not forgetting our younger audience this stage will boast tributes to many Contemporary superstars including Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Katy Perry.
As Culture Liverpool’s official partner, Merseytravel, in the run-up to the festival will be unveiling the final piece in a series of five spectacular works by local artist Grant Searl commissioned for their Animate the Underground series. You can follow Merseytravel’s Public Art programme by visiting www.artonthenetwork.co.uk
Williamson Square sponsored by Smirnoff will host Made in Liverpool throughout the 2 day festival, featuring original bands and artists from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s including Amsterdam and China Crisis. Returning to her hometown with a hipflask full of Mersey moonshine and soul-studded country blues, Delta Maid will perform an same bill as some local favorites; We The Undersigned, Super Cannes, Dead Cities, Man Get Out, Stealing Sheep, The Wicked Whispers and Fly With Vampires.
Top international drinks company Diageo is supporting this stage. Maura Bradshaw, Diageo’s Liverpool representative, said “Mathew Street is renowned for its sense of fun and good natured enjoyment. We are delighted to be supporting the event and also to be working with the City Council and other partners to promote responsible drinking in the city”
The Water Street Stage sponsored by Flanagan Group will celebrate the Port of Liverpool’s links with the New World – USA and on the Monday there will be a special nod and a wink to the 2012 London Olympics with a stage devoted to London icons named as London Calling.
The 2011 festival is also supported by Cain’s brewery and a number of pubs and international supporters have already made donations and more are expected to follow.
For up to date information on this year’s festival please visit www.mathewstreetfestuval.com
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