Liverpool ONE to celebrate music legends this summer

Global superstar Taylor Swift is set to be celebrated at Liverpool ONE ahead of her arrival in the city, to kick off wider plans to honour music legends this summer.

With just over six weeks until the singer brings her Eras Tour to Anfield Stadium, Liverpool ONE is calling on local artists to design a special ‘Taylor’s piano’ as part of the retail and entertainment destination’s paid artist commission for Tickle the Ivories.

Tickle the Ivories, the piano festival which takes place every summer, encourages both professional and amateur pianists to showcase their talents on pianos set up across Liverpool ONE.

Each year, artists are commissioned to design and decorate the pianos in line with a specific theme.

This year, artists are being asked to create their own tribute to both Liverpool and international music legends.

From the likes of P!NK and Girls Aloud who are performing this summer, and the return of Mathew Street Festival in August, to Liverpool-born stars, such as Cilla Black and The Beatles, artists can choose exactly who they’d like to pay tribute to.

Plus, Taylor’s piano is being added to the mix as part of the undeniable buzz that her tour will bring to the city.

Whether it’s centred on one of the star’s iconic hits or based on the tour itself, the chosen design will be brought to life on a piano placed in the heart of Liverpool ONE ahead of her first show on 13 June.

Liverpool ONE - Tickle the Ivories — © Liverpool ONE

Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:

“There’s no doubt that Taylor Swift’s arrival in Liverpool is sure to bring a real buzz to the city and we’re of course keen to be part of the excitement.

“Each year, Tickle the Ivories is a staple in our calendar of events and has uncovered some incredible talent, through both the performers themselves and the artists designing the pianos.

“This latest paid call-out is open to all – we want people to use their imagination, not only for Taylor’s piano but for the other six pianos celebrating other music legends that will be placed across Liverpool ONE, too. We cannot wait to see the designs and have every confidence that our local artists won’t disappoint.”

This paid artist commission is part of the Liverpool ONE Culture Partners programme, which enables local groups, artists and cultural organisations to showcase their art and talent to visitors of the retail and entertainment destination.

A mix of commissions, collaborations and event facilitation, the programme has helped bring forward recent activations such as the football-inspired artwork on the Liverpool Sign, the TreeStory exhibition, the Eurovision Pysanka Egg Display and the annual ChessFest event.

Donna added:

“Celebrating culture, the communities and talents that we have right on our doorstep is a key part of what we do at Liverpool ONE and our Culture Partners programme gives us the perfect opportunity to help people to showcase their skills and widen their audiences.

“As part of the programme, we’re always open to discussing new projects or activations, so we’d love to hear from groups who would like to explore working with us in the future.”