National Museums Liverpool launches a new podcast series

Liverpool’s great creative and cultural institutions and organisations takes the focus of National Museums Liverpool’s (NML) latest podcast series.

Stories from legendary venue Eric’s, from the venue’s co-founder, who worked with some of Liverpool’s greatest bands (not that band), the cultural renaissance of the Bombed Out church, a growing sub-culture of women fans in football, the importance of biodiversity in Liverpool and a look inside the Wirral artistic fantasy world Ron’s Place, and the history behind the John Moores Painting Prize, all feature in the museums and galleries’ series launching on 1 February.

Each episode focuses on one subject from around the city, drawing on the past, present and future – the iconic and under the radar – the people, places and moments that make Liverpool the wondrous place it is.

The episodes

Eric’s nightclub may not be the most famous venue in the city, but its impact on popular culture is just as great, hosting bands such as The Sex Pistols, The Damned, The Ramones, Talking Heads and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Eric’s founder and Deaf School band manager Ken Testi talks us through the history of Erics, the role the club played in developing local talent, right up to its unruly end.

From music fans to football fans, the podcast speaks to Jacqui McAssey – creative director of GIRLFANS Zine. A senior lecturer on Liverpool John Moores University’s Fashion course, Jacqui is joined by Jay Goodall, founder of Liverpool Football Club’s Women’s Supporters Club, to explore the changing picture of the women’s game and how women fit in the wider world of football culture.

A Liverpool cultural landmark and meeting point for people across the decades, the podcast looks into the cultural renaissance of St. Luke’s Church, fondly known as The Bombed Out Church following its bombing during The Blitz, with musician and former creative director Ambrose Reynolds. Playing a key part in the building’s role as a cultural hub for the city, Ambrose delves into its history and the key projects that shaped the building as a venue.

In another episode, the podcast explores the enchanting world of Ron’s Place – a seemingly normal ground floor flat on the outside, which inside holds the legacy of artist Ron Gittins. The podcast talks to Martin Wallace – campaigner for the Save Ron’s Place campaign, he is currently producing a feature-length documentary about Ron and the importance of the Wirral landmark.

Following the 2023 John Moores Paining Prize, which was won this year by Graham Cowley, the podcast will explore the history of the prize since its creation in 1957. Ann Bukantas, former head of fine art at National Museums Liverpool and Dr Hana Leaper, senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, will investigate the trends in submissions across the years, as well as the impact of women artists on the prize. 

Local biodiversity and the impact of wildflowers on communities will be another focus of the podcast, as Richard Scott, urban ecologist and director of the National Wildflower Centre at the Eden Project looks at biodiversity in the city. Polly Moseley, researcher and producer for Scouse Flowerhouse explores the benefits of wildflowers in urban spaces, and how they can improve biodiversity, but also strengthen community.

David Lally, digital content lead at National Museums Liverpool, said:

“Our museums and galleries are at the heart of the city’s cultural offering, but we never want to be confined solely to our bricks and mortar institutions.”  

“These digital series give us the opportunity to step outside the museum walls, bringing a flavour of what we do direct to our audiences digitally. It’s really important for us to support and promote the artists, venues and organisations that make Liverpool and the surrounding areas a vibrant hub for creativity.”

The first episode in National Museums Liverpool’s series launches on Thursday 1 February, with each subsequent episode published on the first Thursday of each month. 

All new episodes of the NML Podcast plus old ones are available here, or simply search for ‘National Museums Podcast’ on other podcast platforms.

For more information and to listen to this Liverpool podcast series, visit the National Museums Liverpool website here.