RLPO marks 10 years of Echo Arena with new concert

The RLPO played at the official opening of the Echo Arena to launch Capital of Culture year.

And now the Phil is returning to the Liverpool waterfront landmark to kick off celebrations marking 10 years since both opened.

There's no news though on whether they will be stacked several storeys high with a conductor on a scissor lift as they were in January 2008.

Instead this time the orchestra will be joined by the Bootleg Beatles and poet Roger McGough to reprise their successful It Was 50 Years Ago Today concerts, staged across the country this summer to mark the 50th anniversary of Sgt Pepper.

Tickets go on Liverpool Philharmonic and Bootleg Beatles pre-sale on September 20, arena pre-sale on September 21 and general sale on September 22.

The one-office concert will include new visuals not seen on the 2017 tour, as the RLPO and Bootlegs - conducted by Richard Balcombe - perform Sgt Pepper in its entirety along with a selection of other Fab Four classics from the Summer of Love.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic chief executive Michael Eakin said: “Liverpool Philharmonic provided ‘the soundtrack to the year’ during 2008 so we’re proud to play our part in getting the Liverpool 2018 celebrations underway, as we did in January 2008, for the start of European Capital of Culture year and the opening of Echo Arena.”

And Bob Prattey, chief executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, which includes Echo Arena Liverpool, added: “2018 is set to be a magnificent year as the whole city joins together to reflect on its numerous achievements over the past decade - and to look ahead at how we continue to develop this legacy, particularly around cultural events."

For more information on the It Was 50 Years Ago Today concert visit the arena website HERE