Liverpool’s Director of Culture, Claire McColgan CBE has spoken on the significance of hosting major musical events for the city and the impact of the forthcoming flagship festival – BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend – in May. Liverpool’s deserved reputation as a music host city has been enhanced in recent years with some of the world’s biggest names choosing the city for their shows. McColgan said hosting major events confirmed Liverpool’s status, showcasing the tremendous talent continually emerging from the city. The event will be held at Sefton Park between 23 – 25 May and no doubt boost Liverpool’s visitor economy, particularly in hotel and hospitality spend.
Liverpool set the benchmark for hosting musical events in 2023, with the biggest and best ever Eurovision. Throughout 2019 Liverpool repeated the feat with the attention-grabbing Taylor Town extravaganza following Taylor Swift’s decision to host her only English outside London in the city. Bruce Springsteen and Dua Lipa were lined up in the summer to bring their musical magic to Liverpool. The city enjoys the added benefit of an exciting programme of existing annual music events, including On The Waterfront and Sound City which serve to enhance its growing reputation as one of the world’s leading musical hubs.
The Radio 1 Big Weekend marks the latest addition to this stellar list of musical displays and could not have come at a more opportune time. The event will also form part of Liverpool’s UN Accelerator City programme, allowing for the trial of innovative ways to decarbonise the live music and TV/film industry. The City Council will be partnering closely with the BBC to seek out ways to bring about environmentally-friendly changes and upgrades to the production. McColgan believes the young people of Liverpool will be inspired seeing industry players working behind the scenes on events like this, recognising the talent in positions such as event managers, sound technicians and riggers.
The event hosts a range of multi-layered benefits. For one weekend, it puts Liverpool on the map as the heart of big names, musical stardust, and international glamour. It confirms a degree of soft power for Liverpool, allowing the city to promote itself to the outside world. The event helps Liverpool in its mission to boost its music industry, create jobs and lift the city up as the UK’s leading centre for music innovation. No doubt, it’s a statement of intent, with Liverpool continuing its impressive growth trajectory as one of the world’s most lauded music cities
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