Music festival weekend: rules and running orders

DON'T TAKE A barbecue but do bring your own rug - and we're not talking Mayor Joe Anderson's Beatles wig here.

Oh no, the inaugural Liverpool International Music Festival is upon us all this Bank Holiday weeekend.

It sprawls across the city, and so that you don't do the same, Liverpool City Council has issued some rules to make it lovely for all the family - and not like an extra big embarrasing version of Mathew Street. 

They include no alcohol at the Pier Head, bag searches, and under 16s will only be allowed in with someone over 21.

Bring a rugCouncillor Wendy Simon explains: “Festival rules are in place to make sure everyone can enjoy all the live music in a safe environment. 

“We’re expecting tens of thousands of people to descend on the city during the Bank Holiday Weekend, so as a council, we need to do everything we can to make sure that those who come to the music festival for a great, family day out get exactly that.” 

Thus the council has also put together a list of “must-knows”, from rules and road closures right through to running orders.

FIRST, LET'S GET A FEW THINGS CLEAR

 Festival Rules – PIER HEAD

• All persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult of over 21 years. There must be one adult to four children.

• No alcohol can be brought into the Pier Head site and bag searches will be in operation.

• Alcohol will be available for purchase from official stalls and all stalls will be operating a strict Challenge 21 policy, so if you are lucky enough to look 21 or younger, please make sure that you bring an acceptable form of identification.

• No readmission to the site.

• Bottles of water are allowed as long as the cap is sealed.

• People can bring along their own food.

• Cash only food and drink concessions will be available on site.

• People cannot bring their own seating into the Pier Head site.

Festival Rules – SEFTON PARK

·         Seating isn’t provided so bring your own rug, cushions or light-weight chairs.

·         No glass is permitted on site, please ensure any food and drink brought is in plastic containers.

·         No open vessels of alcohol can be taken off the event site.

·         Don’t be a litterbug – use the bins onsite or take everything home to dispose of it.

·         To make sure everyone has a great view of the fantastic acts on stage, large umbrellas and gazebos are not permitted in the stage area.

·         No barbecues, garden flares or fireworks allowed.

·         No animals allowed other than assistance dogs.

Travel information

There is no parking in the surrounding area of the park so public transport is recommended.

From Saturday to Monday, there will be a special shuttle bus from the city centre, departing every 10 minutes from the bus stop on St John’s Lane (St John’s Garden’s side). A return service after the event will also operate, dropping off at Elliott St. The bus costs £2 for adults and £1 for children.

The nearest bus stops to Sefton Park are Aigburth Road, Aigburth Vale, Ullet Road and Smithdown Road.

The nearest bus stops to the Pier Head are The Strand, James Street, Castle Street and Liverpool ONE Bus Station.

The nearest train stations to the Pier Head are James Street, Moorfields and Lime Street.

The nearest train station to SEFTON PARK is St Michaels.

THE RUNNING ORDER - WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN

Rebecca Ferguson

Friday 23 August: SEFTON PARK

18:30 – Sense of Sound

19:30 – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, with Vasily Petrenko taking the helm.

Saturday 24 August: SEFTON PARK

Saturday 24 August: PIER HEAD 

Sunday 25 August  SEFTON PARK

Sunday 25 August: Pier Head

Monday 26 August: SEFTON PARK