Discover Liverpool's musical highlights

When Eurovision announced it would be heading to the UK in 2023, cities across the nation threw their hat in the ring to host on behalf of Ukraine. But there really was only one contender. Liverpool, a UNESCO City of Music, is the famed home of the Beatles, arguably Britain’s most influential band of all time, plus many other musical greats: Gerry and the Pacemakers, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Cilla Black – to name a few. At the speed it produced legendary artists, it’s no wonder the Guinness Book of World Records announced Liverpool as the ‘World Capital of Pop’, 

But its musical heritage dates much further back than the '50s, with its historic port welcoming cultural influences from around the world, helping to form the grand concert hall, as well as many clubs and societies that still live on today. 

Below, we highlight five must-visit musical experiences to have in the city, with many of the named venues putting on a party for the Eurovision final.

Liverpool may be the epicentre of iconic pop acts, but that’s why it’s a great destination to highlight the crème de la crème of the UK’s mainstream music scene. The British Music Experience is a permanent exhibition that’s found residence inside the grade-II-listed Cunard Building, perched on Liverpool’s waterfront. Beyond its galleries, there are interactive zones and audio-visual displays, bringing to life the work of British pop and rock artists from 1945 right up until today, from David Bowie to Adele.

You’ll also like: The Liverpool Music Icon Tour is a walking tour lead by band members from Frankie Goes to Hollywood and The Farm. They’ll tell you their personal stories of the city, and give you an insight into its lesser-known musical gems.

Fans of the Beatles won’t be short of things to do in Liverpool, but the best place to begin your journey has to be at the museum solely dedicated to the 'Fab Four'. With more than 1,000 authentic artefacts, from original guitars to John Lennon Sgt Pepper medals, you’ll be able to learn about their early days as a band in Liverpool and Hamburg, and their rise to global adoration. The collection is spread across three storeys in a grade-II listed building on Mathew Street, home to the iconic Cavern Club (keep reading to learn more).

You’ll also like: The Beatles Story is another popular immersive museum located on Royal Albert Dock, with even more Beatles memorabilia on display.  

Known for being the venue which catapulted the Beatles into worldwide fame, the Cavern Club is still a live music hive today. It originally opened as a jazz club in 1957, before changing ownership a couple years later. This is when the legendary lunchtime sessions were introduced, and the Beatles became the talk of the town. They played the venue nearly 300 times before their last gig in 1963, with many acts following their lead and gracing the Cavern’s stage, including Cilla Black (whose statue can be seen outside the building), Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Billy J Kramer. The Cavern Club has now expanded, but it remains a must-visit historic venue, attracting up-and-coming and established acts to perform every night of the week. We suggest heading there on the weekend to listen to the legendary Beatles tribute act.

You’ll also like: The Jacaranda, a popular music venue and record shop that continues the legacy of Beatles manager, Allan Williams.

Moving away from the city’s rock and pop culture, Liverpool is home to one of the UK’s longest-running symphonic societies, founded back in 1840. At the heart of the society is the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, who perform 60 times a year inside an iconic art deco concert hall on Hope Street, in the city’s Georgian Quarter. Beyond the orchestra, the heritage-listed venue also hosts other performances throughout the year, from classical and contemporary, to rock, pop and folk.

You’ll also like: The Tung Auditorium is the city’s hottest new music venue, and the new home to award-winning contemporary music group, Ensemble 10:10. 

One Europe’s largest free music event, the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) takes place during the summer at a variety of venues across the city. With performances by household names, as well as emerging artists, the festival aims to prove why Liverpool was picked as a UNESCO City of Music. Recently, it has been ticketed to support the city’s music sector, but prices are affordable to ensure anyone, of any age, can come along. 

You’ll also like: Africa Oyé, the largest festival of African music in the UK, takes place every year in June at Liverpool’s Sefton Park.

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