Liverpool Philharmonic's brand new Music Room has announced its first concert season, kicking off with an Open House event for the public to explore the entire Hope Street hall this October.
Gigs featuring Tom Robinson, Steve Nieve, I Am Kloot's John Bramwell and Thea Gilmore are among 40 taking place in the 160-250 capacity venue which has been created as part of the hall's £13.8 billion refurbishment.
Shows will take place in cabaret-style seating or standing room format allowing fans to "get closer" to their heroes.
The programme announced today includes folk, roots, acoustic and new music performances by musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as well as workshops for children and adults, and master-classes.
"The Music Room will also enable Liverpool Philharmonic to deepen its relationships with city-based emerging and established artists, festivals and promoters," said a spokeswoman.
Artist impression of the new Music Room which will allow audiences to get closer to actsRichard Haswell, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Head of Programme (Hall and Events) said: “We’re thrilled to announce this first season in the Music Room, which offers a unique opportunity for our audiences to get closer to live music and the artists who make great music.
“Our aim is that Music Room’s distinctive live programme complements and expands the diverse live scene across our city. It will be a welcoming and friendly space for people of all ages to both experience and make music and an exciting addition to Liverpool Philharmonic’s already vibrant offer."
Music Room highlights
Steve Nieve plays Elvis CostelloOpen House (9 Oct) will see Liverpool Philharmonic throw open the doors to welcome everyone to drop in to explore the entire Hope Street venue, home of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
The first performance proper gets under way the following night (Oct 10) when pianist Steve Nieve, one of Elvis Costello's Attractions, plays tunes by the very man and band.
Other highlights include Seckou Keita (26 Oct) the extraordinary Senegalese master of the Kora, the 22-stringed West African harp.
Blues guitarist and integral part of the Sugar Hill Records house band, Skip ‘Little Axe’ McDonald performs alongside vocalist King Size Slim (28 Oct).
North Wales’ intriguing 9Bach (5 Nov) scooped Best Album in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards by public vote for their second album Tincian, a collection of atmospheric songs, written and sung in Welsh and arranged in the folk tradition.
Music of the Travellers (8 Nov) sees musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Marcel Becker (double bass), Concettina Del Vecchio (violin), Tom Verity (clarinet) and Rob Shepley (guitar, violin), perform klezmer, folk tunes, tangos and gypsy jazz.
The eleven-piece Treacherous Orchestra (11 Nov) includes some of the finest of the latest generation of Scotland’s tradition-based music, including Ross Ainslie, Eamonn Coyne, Ali Hutton and Duncan Lyall.
Singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore’s (17 Nov) Music Room debut reflects her musical inspirations including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and Fairport Convention.
Tom Robinson (4 Dec), founder of the Tom Robinson Band and BBC 6 Music presenter, celebrates the release of his first album in twenty years, with a gig in the Music Room with his trio.
John Bramwell, songwriter, guitarist and singer with I Am Kloot performs songs from all of the Kloot albums, with anecdotes along the way (5 Dec).
Featured soloist in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Spirit of Christmas concerts, Kathryn Tickell takes her Northumbrian pipes, violin, voice and her dad, Mike, into the Music Room to reflect on the folk music and musicians that have influenced her career (18 Dec).
Music Room will also host elements of Liverpool Philharmonic’s extensive learning programme, including the popular adult learning series Discover the Classics (Saturday sessions exploring forthcoming concerts by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with visiting artists and conductors); and Lunchtime Learning (preceding rehearsals by the Orchestra or lunchtime concerts); as well as pre and post-concert talks and children’s music workshops.
Tickets now on sale here
