China Crisis, The Real Thing and more to perform at Knowsley Music Festival as line up is announced

Some of Knowsley (and Liverpool’s) most iconic musical exports are set to come to the borough for the Knowsley Music Festival 2022, which runs from 10 – 19 November and tickets are available from 7pm today (Monday 10 October).

Household names including China Crisis, Craig Charles, Space, John Power, Ian Prowse, The Real Thing, DJ Les Spaine and ZuZu will all be playing during the 10-day festival at some very special venues across the borough including Shakespeare North Playhouse and St. Chad’s Church, Kirkby. 

Up and coming performers will also showcase their talents, including some Knowsley-grown talent such as Louis Berry, Natalie McCool, LA LAVANDE, Chris Kearney,Eleanor Nelly, and SILENT-K, originally co-founded by Chris Taylor and Dave McCabe (The Zutons), who decided on the band name as they both originate from Knowsley.

There are some exciting opportunities for the borough’s musical youth too. At a special event young people aged 12-18 are invited to see Liverpool born DJ, producer and radio presenter Anton Powers perform for free alongside DJ 2Kind. And for those looking to be the future names in music, industry experts will be sharing their experience at a specially Getting into the Music Industry event which will include vocal training, in-conversation sessions, DJ workshops and much more.

The festival’s programme is being designed by Liverpool-based music consultant Yaw Owusu who has worked with high profile events and organisations like Liverpool International Music Festival, Universal Records, the MOBOs, MTV and the BBC to name just a few.

He said: “The festival line up has been designed to first and foremost champion some amazing talent from the borough and platform music that audiences from Knowsley are interested in and will resonate with, as well as provide a variety of quality, affordable and distinct events in important spaces across the borough.

“As always, the aim is that there is something for all to engage in – whether that be enjoying the sounds of well-known bands, artists and DJs, or learning more about the music industry or discovering new talent who may very well become the next musical leaders in Liverpool and further afield!”.

Throughout the festival pubs and clubs in the borough will be transformed into music venues with gigs and music events taking place. Knowsley Council is providing grant funding for performers, promoters and venues that wish to put on their own shows – more information about how to get involved can found be here.

Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said:

“Knowsley Music Festival is part of our year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture and is a celebration of our borough’s enviable musical heritage. We’ve put together a really exciting line-up, with something for everyone to enjoy. Significantly we are giving our local businesses the opportunity to get involved, by financially investing in grass-root events means they can develop their own audiences and play a really important role in the festival as a whole.”

Knowsley Music Festival Line Up

An evening with China Crisis and Space (10 November)

7 – 11pm (doors 6pm)

Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prospero Place, Prescot, L34 3AB

£11 (£15 door price)

Bringing together two of Liverpool’s most iconic bands, both with a connection to Knowsley, for an evening of their huge hits and fan favourites that are loved by many. Prescot born and bred emerging artist LA LAVANDE will open the show.

BONKERS! With Anton Powers, DJ 2Kind + More TBA (11 November)

6 – 9.30pm (doors 6pm)

Halewood Leisure Centre, Baileys Lane, Halewood, L26 0TY

For ages 12 – 18

FREE

The region’s young people are invited to an evening with Anton Powers, DJ 2 Kind with more to be announced.

John Power (Cast) and Ian Prowse & Amsterdam (Acoustic) + ZuZu (Friday 11 November)

6 -10pm (doors 6pm)

Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, Longview Drive, Huyton, L36 6EG

£8 (£12 door price)

These two legends of the Liverpool music scene, both with huge and dedicated followings, will be performing a range of tracks from their legendary back catalogues. Supporting them will be ZuZu, a Liverpool-born singer-songwriter bringing her own style of grunge-guitar Pop!

Knowsley Next: Getting into the Music Industry (12 November)

1pm – 6pm

Our Place, Longview Dr, Huyton, Liverpool L36 6EG

FREE

As well as experiencing world class music during the Knowsley Music Festival, the borough’s young people will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts on what it takes to get into the music business.

Including in conversation events, masterclasses, vocal coaching and DJ workshops this will be a chance for the borough’s ambitious young people to get insider knowledge and help them carve their future lives in music.

The Real Thing (Live), Craig Charles and DJ Les Spaine (Thursday 17 November)

7 – 11pm (doors 6pm)

St. Chad’s Church, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby

£11 (£15 on the door)

A celebration of Soul, R&B and Funk with a scouse twist! This trio of seminal music legends will bring the house down at St Chad’s Church.

Knowsley Next: New Music Showcase with Dave Monks (BBC Music Introducing) (18 November)

6pm – 10.00pm (doors 6pm)

Our Place, Longview Drive, Huyton, L36 6EG

FREE

BBC Radio Merseyside’s Dave Monks presents a selection of local Liverpool musical talent including Louis Berry, SILENT-K, Chris Kearney, Eleanor Nelly, and Natalie McCool.

Knowsley Music Festival: at a venue near you! (12 – 19 November)

A key part of the Knowsley Music Festival will be the support from local venues, promoters, programmers and performers who have the chance to bid for funding to present a gig as part of the festival.

Bursaries for between £250 – £500 are available and more information can be found here.

Knowsley Music Festival 2022 is part of Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. Find out more information about the Borough of Culture year on the Culture Knowsley website here.

Tickets for Knowsley Music Festival will be available from 7pm on Monday 10 October – for the full line up and to book, click here.