The Velvet Underground’s John Cale will play a special gig in Liverpool next year to mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ album.

The show will take place on an open-air stage at the city’s docklands on 26 May, with the multi-instrumentalist performing the iconic record in its entirety.

Liverpool is the only UK city selected for three-gig anniversary tour, selected by John because it was the port he sailed from when he originally left Britain.

The musician has already performed in Paris to mark the album’s half century and will also play a gig in New York.

John Cale will perform in Liverpool on 26 May, 2017

John says: “I’m often reluctant to spend too much time on things past – then, a time marker shows up – ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ turns 50. As so many bands can attest to, it is the fulfillment of the ultimate dream to record your first album.

“We were an unfriendly brand, dabbling in a world of challenging lyrics and weird sonics that didn’t fit into anyone’s playlist at the time. Remaining ferociously true to our viewpoints, Lou and I never doubted for a moment we could create something to give a voice to things not regularly explored in rock music at the time.

“That bizarre combination of four distinctly disparate musicians and a reluctant beauty queen perfectly summed up what it meant to be The Velvet Underground.”

Tickets for the Liverpool concert will go on sale at 9am on Friday 28 October.

Photo by Andy Hughes

Related posts:

‘Most in depth’ exhibition about The Jam heading to Liverpool Liverpool to host world premiere of Beatles documentary Jam members to perform at fundraising finale to Liverpool display New club launches beneath Heebie Jeebies Call for community singers to take part in choral theatre show Packed cultural programme of Liverpool 2018 festivities revealed