Summer at Strawberry Field: The Mersey Beatles and live performances on bandstand

Strawberry Field Liverpool has today announced its summer events programme, with the first public live music performances on the new bandstand among the many highlights.

Summer at Strawberry Field runs from July 24 to September 9, with The Salvation Army visitor attraction lining up a roster of established artists and emerging talent playing live in the gardens and on the new Strawberry Field Bandstand. 

Headliners so far taking to the city’s newest stage include The Mersey Beatles, who will be meeting and greeting fans before performing a one-of-a-kind intimate performance on the bandstand. Later in the year the band will perform at the M&S Bank Arena, which will be Liverpool’s biggest ever Beatles tribute show.

Another headliner includes pianist and vocalist, Tom Seals. Fresh from his sell-out tour, Tom will also be playing on the bandstand – before performing at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall later in the year. Events also include the Sing Your Socks Off choir and the Anglia Youth Band & Chorus.

Celebrating the music of the most famous pop group in the world, the summer programme includes events around International Beatleweek in August, with a Beatles mini-convention, performance from TR5s and a session for children to form a skiffle band.

The new addition to Liverpool’s music landscape continues John Lennon’s legacy and message of peace, hope and love for all. The Strawberry Field Bandstand is shaped like a giant bass drum, inspired by The Beatles’ iconic album cover, ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’, and references The Salvation Army and its marching bands.

The bandstand also features a larger replica of the iconic ‘Imagine’ mosaic at the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park in New York.

Accompanying the live music, there will also be family events taking place throughout the summer weeks, such as Get Back to Play.

Every Tuesday until the end of August, children and parents/carers are invited to join in family crafts and play, with traditional toys and games in the gardens where John Lennon once played as a child.

Activities vary throughout the summer, with a special Beatles-themed event taking place on August 29, in which children will be able to listen to music and make their own skiffle band.

Kathy Versfeld, mission director at Strawberry Field, said:

“We are very excited to announce our 2024 summer programme, which this year is centred around our newest attraction – the Strawberry Field Bandstand. I am thrilled that we are bringing music back to the Strawberry Field gardens – the place where John Lennon once sought sanctuary and experienced one of his earliest musical moments hearing The Salvation Army band play. 

“We are also building on the musical legacy of Eurovision, making sure that what we created in the city in May continues to positively impact our communities. We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy music from established and emerging artists for years to come. ”

The Strawberry Field Bandstand was built thanks to the generosity of Cliff Cooper, CEO and Founder of Orange Amps, Honorary Patron of Strawberry Field. The Strawberry Field Bandstand will also be officially launched 22 July at a Salvation Army dedication event. 

The bandstand joins a number of symbols of peace located within the grounds of Strawberry Field, including the Ukrainian Global Peace monument, measuring 16 ft tall, and features a book, dove and the Ukrainian flag which sits atop a man’s outstretched arm. 

For more information about Strawberry Field click here.