Eurovision: What you need to know about Xpresia Festival

From Sunday 7 – Tuesday 9 May, Invisible Wind Factory, Meraki, and Quarry will be hosting an event that celebrates cultural diversity, unity, and the creative liberty of expression.

Xpresia is an extraordinary festival that is free to attend and has come to Liverpool for Eurovision as part of EuroFestival. It showcases an assortment of electronic and performing arts. Its carefully crafted three-day itinerary pays tribute to the themes of culture, unity, and creative freedom of expression.

Xpresia is born from the shared desire to bring Ukrainian and UK artists together in solidarity as Liverpool hosts Eurovision on Ukraine’s behalf. The festival is collaboratively produced by both British and Ukrainian creative producers and curators to deliver something truly unique in Liverpool as part of EuroFestival 2023.

Across three days – Sunday 7^th, Monday 8^th and Tuesday 9^th May – over 30 Ukrainian and UK artists will showcase their work to the city and world beyond. Taking place in the thriving development area of the Ten Streets, Xpresia will happen across some of Liverpool’s best independent arts and music venues; The Invisible Wind Factory (Hall, Substation & Garden), Meraki, and Quarry.

Artistic disciplines showcased across Xpresia Festival will be creative technology and visual arts, electronic music production and DJs, live music, theatre and cabaret in a celebration bringing Ukrainian and UK artists together as part of the Eurovision festivities.

Zetetics - Xpresia Festival — Zetetics – Xpresia Festival

Sunday 7 May: 10pm-6am (inc. secret after party)

Xpresia kicks off with electronic club nights across all three venues on Sunday 7th May. The lineup includes Kyiv-based producer and rave hero Koloah, DJs from Sisu and Kyiv’s Veselka, DJ SweetSpot and friends (Humble Abode), local legend Luna Thee Frenchie, and a special guest to be revealed. There will also be an after party with venue and acts to be announced soon.

Monday 8 May: 1pm – midnight

On Monday 8th May, IWF hosts a lineup of live acts including Liverpool band Ostrich, Kyiv-based rock group Love’n’Joy, and headlined by Ukrainian alternative music project Zetetics. Meraki becomes the home for electronic and live-electronic acts such as Liverpool act Podge and Ukrainian acts Nu-jazz/electro pop duo Krapka;Koma andelectronic pop artist Palmo X. Quarry transforms into a cabaret club to host The Secret Circus for an Xpresia special, as well as an Unusual Art Sourcing takeover and panel discussion with UKRAINE PRIDE.

Tuesday 9 May: 7pm – midnight

Kyiv-based audiovisual jazz-rock band Stas Koroliov headline IWF on Tuesday 9th May, with other acts including Liverpool dance-rock band DSM IV and Ukrainian alt-pop artist Marineris. At Meraki dark electro act Tucha will feature, chill electronic RnB artist Zbaraski and jungle, jazz, and drum’n’bass inspired saxophonist/composer Andrii Barmalii. Over at Quarry is a life changing, not-to-be-missed radical cabaret presented by Eat Me and Pomoc, showcasing migrant talent, influences and voices through a queer lens.