Top 7 things to do in Liverpool this spring
Music | Pierre Henry: The Liverpool Mass
13 May – Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
A special tribute to the work of one of the true pioneers of electronic music, Pierre Henry, at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The French musique concrète composer was commissioned to create an electronic mass for the opening of the grand cathedral in 1967 but never finished it. Now 50 years on, Pierre’s sound design partner and engineer Thierry Balasse will finally perform the piece as a live mix, utilising 40 speakers designed especially for the circular space. Tickets £10.
Event | 14 Hour Super Weird Happening
1 April – The Florrie
Fifty years on from ‘The 14 Hour Technicolor Dream’, a countercultural event at Alexandra Palace in London, the Super Weird Happening plans to evoke the spirit of ‘67 and its fabled ‘Summer of Love’. Freak out at The Florrie with 14 hours of live music, DJs, exhibitions, live art, spoken work and panel discussions. Cult legend Alan Moore is the main attraction alongside local acts such as The Tea Street Band, No Fakin’ and the organiser Greg Wilson, who will finish off the madness with a DJ set. Tickets £15.
Festival | FestEvol Gardens 2017
30 April – Invisible Wind Factory
FestEvol Gardens returns for another bank holiday extravaganza this year at the Invisible Wind Factory. The brainchild of local music promoters Evol, the festival has relocated from its 2016 base at Camp & Furnace to the latest venture from the team behind the city’s much-loved Kazimier venue. Indie rockers Wild Beasts top the bill with more than able support coming from The Parrots, Pulled Apart By Horses, PINS, Cabbage and many more. Tickets £30.
Art | Willy Russell: Another Aspect
9 May – 2 September – Kirkby Gallery
Following a hugely popular 2015 exhibition which looked back on his career as a playwright, Whiston-born Willy Russell is back at Kirkby Gallery to show off an entirely new side to his creative portfolio. Having discovered his talent for painting little more than a decade ago, his first solo exhibition will include everything from landscape watercolours and acrylics to experimental semi-abstract works in acrylic inks.
> Related | Interview: Merseyside’s acclaimed playwright Willy Russell
Film | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
In cinemas 28 April
The highly anticipated sequel to 2014’s Marvel smash hit, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ reunites the motley crew of superheroes as they travel through the cosmos, struggling to keep their new-found family together whilst helping leader Peter Quill learn more about his true parentage.
Festival | LightNight Liverpool (pictured)
19 May – Various venues
Exploring the theme of time and its influence on art, scientific discovery and philosophy, this year’s LightNight will feature over 100 free events for all ages, spread across 50 city centre venues. The one-night arts festival includes eight new works from established and emerging artists, ranging from a mind-controlled audio-visual, to an immersive sound and light experience in the catacombs of St George’s Hall. Meanwhile at Liverpool Cathedral, a mass improvised vocal jam plans to bridge the past, present and future through song and dance.
Festival | WoWFest 2017
1-31 May – Various venues
Marking 100 years since the Russian Revolution, the team at Writing on the Wall (WoW) has put together another impressive line-up for its long-running literary festival. The month-long programme kicks off with a Mayday rally to celebrate the launch of the autobiography of local writer and activist George Garrett and to protest against the government’s austerity measures. Other standout events include a new show from acclaimed comedienne Francesca Martinez on the subject of diversity and an appearance from Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis, who will be speaking at the Bluecoat on the spirit of revolution in music.
