Liverpool’s Pier Head Village has unveiled its line-up ahead of next month’s opening.
From June 30, the city’s iconic waterfront will be home to a programme combining a wide range of enticing offers from thrills to music and art to culture.
A partnership with Liverpool Sound City brings a new sound of live, acoustic music to the south side of the village with the first ever Sound City Bar & Garden.
To the north of the village, enjoy the best laid-back beats with the Balearic Sunset Sessions’ legendary DJs at the Village Beach Club.
Curated by Impeccable’s Derek Hazell and hosted by Andy Carroll, DJs including Paul Bleasdale, Dreamgirl and Kevin Knox will take the the decks every other weekend.
For the first time ever, the Pier Head will resonate to the most evocative Mediterranean sounds delivered by true DJ royalty creating a vibe from noon until 11pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Filling the alternative weekend is Liverpool legend DJ Charlie Cee and his special guests. Charlie will take his audience on a 50-year journey of classic soul, RnB, reggae, hip-hop and more.
Alongside the Sound City Bar is The Artisan Village, which offers a spot of retail therapy with over 30 independent market-stalls, affordable street food and treats seven days a week.
Finishing off the South Side offer is The Liverpool Art Fair, sited in a bespoke work of art built from five containers at the Mann Island entrance, featuring 75m of gallery space with local, affordable but brilliant art curated by Lucy Byrne and her team from more than 1000 submissions.
Martin O’Shea, creator of the Pier Head Village, said: “Bringing people together, entertaining them and giving them a reason to spend many happy hours on the Pier Head enjoying the summer is our goal for this year.
“It has never been more popular or been given more respect than right now. The Pier Head Village will reflect everything we love about our city.
“Quality has been our main priority for this year and as Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music we have to create something truly special.
“The support we have received from the waterfront neighbours such as Brazilica, The Beatles Story, British Music Experience, The Cavern, Albert Dock Liverpool and others has been wonderful.
“The Pier Head Village will ensure the waterfront is alive and vibrant seven days a week, throughout the summer, proving Liverpool is a not just one of the top five UK tourist destinations but now a major destination for global tourism.”
Key dates
June 30 – Pier Head Village official launch with Sunset Sessions opening night with Andy Carroll and special Balearic Guests including Richard Norris and Nancy Noise.
July 2 – Morris Dancing Competition – Watch morris dancers from across the region battle it out on the Sound City Stage to compete to be champions of the North West.
July 9 – Majorettes competition. Batons at the ready, the troupes from across the North West will compete, cheer and dance their way to win the Pier Head Village Majorettes competition.
July 14 – Supporting the arrival of the Magic Disney cruise ship. As the iconic cruise ship docks at Liverpool Cruise Terminal, we will be welcoming the guests with a fun-filled day of activities that the whole family can enjoy.
July 15 – Brazilica Festival. The world famous three-day Festival returns to Liverpool city centre in 2017 for the tenth consecutive year, from July 14-16, and Liverpool’s International Samba Festival is proud to reveal that the Pier Head will be its new home for 2017.
July 29 – BBC Merseyside’s Dave Monks will be taking over the Sound City stage to present Liverpool’s new music. Champion of the unsigned acts, he will be curating a day of his top emerging artists from the Merseyside region.
August 6, 13, 27 and 28 – Simon O’Rouke: Creating the Beatles. Internationally celebrated and award-winning wood sculptor O’Rourke will take his audience on four unique visual and musical journeys celebrating the greatest band of all time.
August 26-28 – The Beatle Weekender. August Bank Holiday will see The Beatle Weekender in partnership with The Cavern Club as part of its 60th anniversary. Celebrating the songs of the Fab Four on the Sound City main stage, with Sgt Peppers on Sunday and a celebration and tribute to Brian Epstein on the 50th anniversary of his death.
September 8-10 – The Artisan Takeover. The closing weekend on September there will be an Artisan Festival takeover to showcase Liverpool’s finest makers and creatives along with a closing party to remember.