Liverpool’s legendary Mathew Street Festival is set to return this summer.
The much-loved music event ran for 20 years in the city centre across three days on the August Bank Holiday weekend before it was cancelled in 2013.
But organisers of the original festival announced on Friday plans to end its 11-year hiatus with a four-day extravaganza between August 23 and 26 this year.
Bill Heckle, Dave Jones, Alex McKechnie and Rick Allen joined forces with Liverpool Celebrates, a collective of local leaders responsible for some of the country’s most loved events, in response to ongoing calls to bring the much-loved festival back after it was cancelled in 2013.
The event’s new and revived format will see a centralised location at the Pier Head beneath the city’s prestigious Liver Building in a secure and managed ticketed event across the bank holiday, for ages 18 and over.
Liverpool Celebrates The Mathew Street Festival is the latest event to take place at the Pier Head following the success of 2023’s Eurovision Village and other major music events.
Each day will consist of a different theme, celebrating all eras and genres of music, from Liverpool legends and local talent, international superstars and tremendous tributes
The event will culminate with a specially curated Cavern Club Takeover: a celebration of artists who have performed at the original Mathew Street Festival over the decades. The complete line-up will be revealed soon, with huge acts expected to be announced across the four days.
Liverpool Celebrates Mathew Street Festival is set to attract thousands of visitors to the city and tickets are expected to be in high demand.
The event will provide a huge boost to the city’s economy and will once again shine a light on Liverpool’s world-famous musical heritage and the vivacious spirit of the local community.
Liam Spence, marketing and communications director at Liverpool Celebrates, said: “We are extremely excited to bring back one of the city’s most loved events this summer.
“The festival in its original format could never take place again spread across the city centre which is why we have chosen the iconic Pier Head to host a secure, managed, ticketed event.
“The new format promises to deliver a celebration of Liverpool’s culture and musical heritage with four fantastic themed days.”
Bill Heckle, director of the Cavern Club and original Mathew Street Festival, added: “I am very proud of what the Mathew Street Festival achieved and how much it contributed to the local economy.
“The new format will feature a centrepiece stage in front of the iconic three graces but will still be encouraged to be a citywide celebration.”
Tickets for Liverpool Celebrates Mathew Street Festival will be available to buy via Skiddle from Friday, March 1. Ticket prices will start at £25 plus booking fee.
To find out more and register your interest, head to liverpoolcelebrates.com