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Review: Tabakova Accordion Concerto at the Liverpool Philharmonic ****1/2
While this Thursday night concert on a chill January evening was officially billed as 'Rachmaninov Symphony No.3', it was really all about the accordion with the UK premiere of a new concerto from the ebullient Bulgarian-British composer Dobrinka Tabakova. And who better to perform it than Ksenija Sidorova, whose artistry with what is essentially a portable organ (albeit a backbreakingly heavy one at 20kg/three-and-a-half stone in old money) is unparalleled. If you’ve ever tr
Cracking comedy to catch in Liverpool in 2026
Is everyone in Liverpool a comedian? If not, the UK’s unofficial ‘capital of comedy’ certainly punches way above its weight when it comes to knowing how to enjoy a good laugh. So it’s perhaps no surprise funny men and women from across the country – and beyond – are always keen to bring their live shows to the city. Along with bespoke comedy clubs and regular comedy nights, star names and rising talent also perform at mainstream venues like the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Playh
Big gigs in Liverpool during 2026
Liverpool isn’t the official capital of pop, a UNESCO City of Music AND the birthplace of the most famous band the world has ever seen for nothing. Music runs through Liverpool’s veins like the Mersey runs into Liverpool Bay, and you can hear it wherever you go, on the streets, in the parks and spilling out of venues from tiny bars to giant auditoriums. So it’s no surprise that some of the biggest, best and most loved bands and artists make sure they include it on their touri
Review: Rachmaninov with Sir Stephen Hough at Philharmonic Hall ****1/2
It’s turning into a season of homecomings in Hope Street. Earlier this month, Sir Simon Rattle brought his acclaimed Bavarian orchestral outfit to the Philharmonic Hall to kickstart a pre-Christmas European tour in fine fashion. And in the spring, Huyton piano genius Paul Lewis returns to play Beethoven on the hall’s Steinway. Sandwiched in between, Sir Stephen Hough, whose formative years were spent in the Art Deco auditorium – surrounded by its ‘daring’ gold relief of naked
Review: Rattle and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at Philharmonic Hall *****
Monday is not a usual music-making night at the Phil, but when one of Liverpool’s most famous sons (Sir Simon Rattle) drops in with one of the world’s foremost orchestras (the Bavarian Radio Symphony), it would be rude not to break with convention. And there was certainly a real sense of occasion in the auditorium for this bonus highlight of the 2025/26 season. Rattle, who turned 70 earlier this year, and his latest crack German outfit, are on a whistlestop European autumn to
Review: Shostakovich Symphony No.7 at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall ****1/2
‘Keep calm and carry on’ seems to have been the order of the day at the Philharmonic Hall over the weekend. And indeed, if it hadn’t been for the email that popped into hundreds of inboxes on Saturday afternoon mentioning a ‘slight’ change of programme because the Phil’s truck had broken down somewhere between Bristol and Liverpool, no one would have been any the wiser. The main casualty of this unexpected occurrence was Victoria Borisova-Ollas. The poor Swedish composer must
Hope Street Blend Festival brings live music to Liverpool audiences this weekend
The Hope Street Blend Festival will bring live music to venues up and down the popular Liverpool cultural area this weekend. The new...
Comedy to enjoy in Liverpool this autumn
It’s been quite the summer, but now the nights are drawing in there’s few things better than to settle down indoors and enjoy a good laugh. Happily, Liverpool venues have that covered this autumn with a busy programme of appearances from both local faces, rising talent and big TV names. From the purveyors of big laughs and knowing chuckles at established venues like Hot Water Comedy, Laughterhouse Comedy and Liverpool Comedy Club to visiting shows at the city’s many theatres
Deaf School returns to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in anniversary celebration
Deaf School is set to make a triumphant return to Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall – 50 years after the band’s appeared on the Phil’s stage....
Review: White Nights at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall *****
There’s always a sense of occasion on the return of the Phil’s prodigal son – and while the fatted calf may have lived to graze another...
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