WHAT’S ON...

April

Bombed Out Church Beer Festival

April 20 - 23 • St Luke's Bombed Out Church

The Bombed Out Church at the bottom of Leece Street is one of the most striking landmarks in the city centre, now an events venue hosting everything from outdoor cinema to theatre festivals. From April 20-23, it’s holding a beer festival with up to 100 real ales, ciders, craft and draught beers, plus a gin/ alternatives bar, street food and live entertainment at day and evening sessions.

Suzi Ruffell

April 28 • Everyman Theatre

Comedian Suzi Ruffell is a familiar face on TV shows like Live at the Apollo, QI, The Last Leg and Womanhood, and she won a heap of critical praise for her last live tour Dance Like Everyone is Watching. Now she’s back out on the road again with her new show Snappy that’s all about settling down but not settling and becoming a mother without being mumsy.

May

Ellie Goulding

May 2 • Hangar 34

After a headline-making appearance at this year’s Brits where she presented the New Artist award, singer Ellie Goulding is back in the spotlight for more usual reasons – her fifth studio album is coming out. To celebrate its release Ellie is playing a special hourlong show at Hangar 34 in the Baltic Triangle. Tickets for the gig come with album options including vinyl and blue/yellow cassettes.

MARTIN KEMP – BACK TO THE 80S

April 22 • Camp and Furnace

If you’re going to do a huge tunes 80s nostalgia night then who better to have on the decks than one of the men who was right at the centre of it all? Martin Kemp, bassist in new romantic icons Spandau Ballet back in the day, returns to Camp and Furnace for one of its biggest nights of the year with non-stop hits that defined the decade from Madonna to George Michael.

Sound City

April 28 - 30 • Various Venues

Liverpool’s Sound City is the UK’s number one independent festival for new music, bringing a lineup of established artists to play alongside local, national and international emerging talent. This year’s headliners including Maisie Peters, Beren Olivia, Sheffield indie band The Reytons and Liverpool’s own hotly-tipped Courting who are leading the charge in a new wave of emerging Scouse bands.

Aston Merrygold

May 11 • O2 Academy

Aston Merrygold shot to fame in 2008 as part of boyband JLS who finished second on the fifth series of The X-Factor. They went on to release four bigselling studio albums and their own film, as well as picking up Brit and MOBO Awards. Aston released his debut solo EP in 2017 and now he’s performing live on a UK tour with a mix of his songs and throwback JLS hits.