Home to the Beatles, host to Eurovision and haven of underground electronic music, Liverpool is the meeting point of music lovers from all over the globe. Discover A New Beat, VisitLiverpool’s new cultural project, shines a spotlight on this city of delights, where past, present and future collide. A UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool has long been known for its storied history, but the city is undergoing a cultural renaissance these days.
Case in point is Liverpool’s thriving underground electronic music scene: in the ‘90s, world-renowned parties at Cream and Voodoo transformed the city into a must-visit destination for house and techno fans. Today, venues like Meraki, 24 Kitchen Street, Invisible Wind Factory, Camp & Furnace, Blackstone St Warehouse, District, Hangar 34, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Future Yard and more continue to push Liverpool’s legacy to the next new gen, with an eclectic nightlife scene encompassing of everything from hip hop and drill to hardcore and minimal techno.
For fans of indie and rock music, Liverpool’s current crop of bands is bursting with homegrown talent. Picking up the mantle from their musical forebears – notably 60s Merseybeat and the post-punk of the 70s and 80s – up-and-comers such as Red Rum Club and Circa Waves as well as local legends like The Coral and Echo and the Bunnymen fill out iconic venues including M&S Bank Arena, East Village Arts Club, Kazimier, Zanzibar, O2 Academy, The Magnet, and Leaf on Bold Street.
Culture Liverpool’s Head of UNESCO City of Music, Kevin McManus, said:
“Liverpool and music are synonymous. With a rich and diverse music history to current talent making waves across every genre, it’s at the heart of what makes Liverpool special.
Following on from hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2023 to a huge success, we want to continue to raise Liverpool’s profile as the UK’s City of Music through the Discover A New Beat campaign, encouraging people to visit the city region to explore our vibrant music and cultural offer, so distinct to Liverpool.
Highlighting the range of music events, festivals, venues, attractions and artists that make Liverpool’s music scene world-class, we’re encouraging people to try something new, explore a new sound and embark on a journey to the city where music lives.”
A selection of ‘Liverpool a New Beat’ campaign photography. Credit: Marketing Liverpool / Rob Jones Photography
Saluting all cultures and genres, Discover A New Beat invites visitors to explore the diverse range of emerging music trends, venues, and locations across the city region. For example, Liverpool hosts several music festivals each year celebrating the different cultures within the city, including Indika Festival, Africa Oye, the UK’s largest free festival of African music, and the Liverpool Irish Festival, featuring mostly folk music in tribute to the city’s cultural links to Ireland.
Never forgetting its unrivalled history, the city also offers immersive trips into the past. With a Magical Mystery Tour or award-winning Beatles Story, journey through authentic early ‘60s replicas of Mathew Street, Abbey Road Studios and The Cavern, allowing you to intimately experience the sacred places where The Beatles became the greatest band in the world. In much more recent history, Liverpool played host in 2023 to the biggest event in the global music calendar: Eurovision 2023, which gripped everyone in the region, the UK, and viewers from around the world, confirming the city as a global hub of musical expression.
The rhythm never stops: Merseyside’s musical appeal is not just limited to Liverpool’s city centre. The boroughs of the greater Liverpool region each have their own distinct notes in this harmonious symphony of cultural experiences for all ages.
The beat goes on in The Wirral which boasts world-class street art in New Brighton, the Leftbank Soundtrack, Future Yard, and ‘The Beatles across the Mersey’ tour. Halton’s music history comes alive with Pete Waterman, Frailers, and the Halton Music Trail. In Sefton, enjoy diverse dining, arcades, botanical gardens, and hidden gems in Southport. And in Knowsley, explore the ‘Enchanted’ Christmas lights extravaganza, the Knowsley Music Festival and the Knowsley Safari Experience. Discover a new beat in these boroughs, each with its unique rhythm.
The driving force behind Discover A New Beat, VisitLiverpool is the official tourism board for Liverpool, attracting national and international visitors, tour operators and media from around the world to the city region. Through VisitLiverpool.com, the best the region has to offer is showcased to the millions of people who visit Liverpool each year. From thousands of sports and cultural events to attractions, bars, shops, restaurants, and the world-famous waterfront, everything visitors need to make the most of their trip can be found here. With over 190,000 social media followers, VisitLiverpool plays a vital role in promoting the city region as a leading global destination to the world. With over 190,000 social media followers, VisitLiverpool plays a vital role in promoting the city region as a leading global destination to the world.
Visit the Discover a New Beat website HERE.
Visit Discover a New Beat on Instagram HERE.