Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is set to open its new Music Room today, following a £13.8 million major refurbishment.

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall; taken by Mark McNulty

With an open house event from 7:30-9:30pm tonight, the public can see the 1930’s Viennese-style refurbishment for themselves and the new Music Room venue.

The Music Room, a new small-scale venue, is part of the Phil’s development at the rear of the building and will have its first concert tomorrow – Steve Nieve Plays Elvis Costello – with Costello’s band member, The Attractions.

The Music Room

Liverpool Philharmonic’s head of programme, Richard Haswell, says: “Our aim is that Music Room’s distinctive live programme will complement our programme in the main Hall, and be an exciting addition to the diverse live scene across our city.

“We were able to establish over a period of time was establish a whole programme of events under the banner of ‘After 8’ with an emphasis on acoustic music. So what we wanted to do in this space here was take the best of that and move it into here, into a space that was fit for purpose and was going to function properly and add to it and expand in this marvellous addition.

The renovated Grand Foyer; taken by Mark McNulty

“There is a whole series of different themes running through the programme in it. At the heart of it is a home for roots and acoustic music from these islands and from the world.”

“We also have the opportunity here to do the kind of show that we would never be able to otherwise do that wasn’t going to fill the auditorium but the scale of the economics didn’t work. Our opening show for example is Steve Nieve’s solo tour.

The new chandelier in the Grand Foyer; taken by Mark McNulty

“We deliberately decided that we weren’t going to do a great big gala opening for what would basically only be 160-170 people. What we’re going to do is have the open day and then go bang, straight into the season.

“What we want to happen, and what we hope will happen, is that Liverpool artists and Liverpool promoters will start to see this as a key home for them as well, actually working in partnership with us.

“What we aspire to is a new hub for music in the city.”

Practising in the new warm-up areas ahead of their 8 November show in the Music Room was Liverpool-based group, Klezmerish, who discussed their music and gave a sample by performing ‘Dancing with the Rabbi’.

The group met through their roles within Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; for information on Klezmerish, visit: www.facebook.com/klezmerish

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