Liverpool music legend Holly Johnson will return to the city this summer to perform a special Frankie Goes To Hollywood set at Liverpool Celebrates Mathew Street Festival.

The singer, whose band rose to prominence in the 1980s with smash-hit singles ‘Relax’ and ‘The Power of Love’, will headline the opening Friday night of the four-day event which celebrates the legacy of the Mathew Street Festival – 10 years on since it last took place.

Holly will headline a night of live music celebrating Liverpool and its music heritage, joining The Lightning Seeds, Space, China Crisis, Tea Street Band and The Sway in opening the festival. 

He says: “I always love performing in Liverpool and I am really looking forward to the  Liverpool Celebrates Mathew Street Festival. There’s a brilliant line-up over the entire August bank holiday weekend. It’s good for the city to be showcasing all of this music talent at a festival of this scale. 

“The city’s music heritage is well known all over the world – I suppose this is another event which shines a light on it, and it is lovely to be asked to be part of it as the headline Friday act alongside a whole host of amazing Liverpool and international bands. 

“I’ll be performing all of my greatest hits on the opening night in front of thousands of people next to the Liver Building… I am sure there will be a few Liver Birds in the crowd too! 

“There is a brilliant buzz around Liverpool and a great energy. I felt it when I performed at the special Eurovision opening ceremony at St George’s Hall last year. 

“I’ve got a few festivals this year but the biggest will be performing in Liverpool which is always special and even more so this year with it being the 40th anniversary of ‘Relax’, ‘Two Tribes’, ‘The Power Of Love’ and the ‘Welcome To The Pleasuredome’ album topping the charts. I also have an exhibition at The Museum Of Liverpool in September.”

Taking place across the August bank holiday weekend (23-26 August), Liverpool Celebrates commemorates the 10 year anniversary of the last Mathew Street Festival, with The Jacksons, now composed of brothers Jackie, Tito and Marlon, set to headline the Saturday, joined by a 10-piece live band.

Jonny Bongo, of the popular Bongo’s Bingo event, will also bring his ‘Festival Experience’ to the Pier Head, with N-Trance also set to take the stage, Tribute acts will perform The Beatles, Queen, Prince, Oasis and Elton John tributes across the Sunday and Monday.

The final day of the festival will be hosted in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey to aid a complete refurbishment, with a recent ‘Battle of the Artists’ competition allowing two local bands or singers the opportunity to perform on the main Pier Head stage during the festival. 

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