Special Features - Beatles return home to celebrate their city

Beatles return home to celebrate their city
(04/01/08)

Rock and roll icons Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will both be celebrating Liverpool's year as the European City of Culture during 2008.

Paul McCartney on stage. (c) Getty Images

If you're planning a trip to the UK, you too can join in on the festivities on offer.

Flying start

The year gets off to a flying start with Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, who will head up Liverpool, the Musical at the opening of the brand new Liverpool Echo Arena on 12 January.

They will be joined by Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, No Fakin DJ’s, Echo and the Bunnymen, Pete Wylie, Ian Broudie, Shack, and The Christians. The evening will be brought to life by a cast of poets, singers, aerialists, comedians, construction workers, gardeners and sailors, probably the most unusual line-up ever to set foot on one stage.

Capital of pop

Sir Paul and his band will lead the Liverpool Sound concert at Anfield Stadium on 1 June to celebrate Liverpool’s status as the capital of pop, rock and contemporary music. It will be a global event featuring many famous UK and international artists.

From July the World Museum will host an exhibition of Merseyside's bands, fans and music scene over the last 60 years. It will tell you all you need to know about Billy Fury, the Zutons, the Cavern - where the Beatles first played - and the famous Creamfields dance festival.

Taverner's Requiem

Classical music also gets an airing. You can hear the premiere of John Taverner's Requiem, a European Youth Orchestra concert conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy, or a performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem at the Anglican Cathedral. Simon Rattle also makes a welcome return to the city to conduct his Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Liverpool Docks where the Tall Ships' Races will start this July. (c) Britainonview

Other exciting events taking place this year include

Carnival Weekend on 1 - 2 August. This includes the Emperor and the Tiger – a beautiful firework folk story; and the Samba School which will bring a Rio style carnival parade to the streets of Liverpool

The Tall Ships’ Races on 18 - 21 July at Liverpool Docks. This is a four-day free maritime jubilee celebrating the port's 800-year history on the waterfront

The Gustav Klimt Exhibition at the Tate Liverpool from 30 May – 31 August, the first comprehensive exhibition of the painter’s work ever staged in the UK

MTV 15th annual Europe Music Awards on 6 November at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

Full listing

For a full calendar and detailed list of all events, venues and artists visit the Liverpool 08 website.

Related links

More about Visiting the UK on i-uk