The Liverpool Music Festival Guide 2018

Summer days are coming, and we’ve got a huge line up of Merseyside festivals to last the whole year.

We all know that Liverpool is a city with music in its veins, exporting some of the most influential artists of the last 60 years. Constantly pulsing with that unmistakable Mersey beat, it’s no surprise to find there’s more than 24 music festivals planned throughout 2018, not bad for the UK’s 7th largest city. With a brand new Irish festival, The Feis, adding the incredible Van Morrison to this years offering, get your diary handy and start planning with The Liverpool Music Festival Guide 2018.

Here’s all the festival dates and line up info for 2018, how many will you go to?

LIMF 2018

Arguably the biggest hitter of the Liverpool festival calendar year, Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) takes over Sefton Park on 21st – 22nd July 2018 with our very own Jay Hynd hosting the main stage. LIMF TV will return with behind the scenes, interviews and highlights and with past headliners including Basement Jaxx, Sigma and Gorgon City, 2018 is bound to be a knock out. LIMF puts on various shows throughout the year leading up to the big event and also nurtures local talent through LIMF Academy. Check out the line up and current news on the LIMF website here.

Sound City

Another big boy in the city, Liverpool’s version of a music festival/networking conference is modelled on the iconic SXSW in the US. After a bringing the Stanley Dock to life for the past two years, 2018 sees the festival return to it’s inner city roots welcoming acts such as Peace and Slow Readers Club this 5th and 6th May 2018. Tickets are now available here. 

Threshold Festival

Threshold Festival takes place across the Baltic Triangle, providing an amazing platform for local talent, mainly in music, but across the arts, this year aiming to go one step further with networking and discussion events. On 13th – 14th April 2018 the likes of The Guide Liverpool favourite, Mersey Wiley, amongst other local talent will be taking the Baltic Triangle by storm. Head to www.thresholdfestival.co.uk for updates and line up info.

Africa Oyé

For this epic family friendly festival we head back to Sefton Park, for a taste of all things African. Following an incredible 25th anniversary that saw the festival smash it’s attendance record with over 80,000 punters flocking to the field, Africa Oye 2018 will take place on 16th & 17th June 2018 and, like LIMF, is completely free. More info available here.

Folk Festival on the Dock

This is a relatively new kid on the block, only coming to the Albert Dock in 2016. Now preparing for its 3rd year, we can’t wait to see what will be delivered over the August Bank Holiday Weekend as the previous events have been the perfect summers day out, by the water, with a fantastic atmosphere and the whimsical charm of local Folk music acting as the soundtrack to your day. Applications for performers close at the end of this month, so get in there now. More info here. 

‘The Feis’ Irish Festival

Now for an even newer festival, and one that has caught everyone’s attention already. On 7th July Liverpool’s World Heritage Waterfront will welcome none other than Van Morrison will bring the festival into the hearts of a city that has a reported 75% of its population coming from Irish decent. We’re one step closer to being the real capital of Ireland. Read more about the event here.

Baltic Weekender

After the sell-out success of the first festival, in 2017, 24 Kitchen Street and Abandon Silence are proud to present the return of The Baltic Weekender for 2018. Taking place across the Baltic Triangle from 1st to 3rd June, festivalgoers will be treated to another amazing line up of house, techno, grime and everything in between. If Creamfields is slightly out of range for you this year, then the Baltic Weekender is a more than worthy supplement, get your tickets here now.

Liverpool Music Week

LMW has become a must play for upcoming artist in the UK, not just in Merseyside. The eclectic festival happens all over the city centre bringing left field acts such as film composer veteran, John Carpenter, or stars such as Nile Rodgers and Chic, along with the most current bands on the circuit including Japanese Breakfast and local heroes, Clean Cut Kid. We wait with baited breath for the announcement of who will be the ones to watch this year.

Liverpool Pride

Although not an exclusively music festival, Liverpool Pride puts on one hell of a show for festivalgoers. In the past we’ve the likes of The M People’s Heather Small and Atomic Kitten wow the crowds. 2018 promises to be even bigger and better and will have a programme that encompasses the L, the G, the B, the T and the Q from the acts on stage, to the activities that build up to the main festival weekend. And, to top it off, it’s all free! More info here. 

Fusion Festival

When you consider that Fusion Festival has only been going since 2015, it is very impressive that this has become one of the UK’s biggest Pop Music Festivals. Returning to the Otterspool Promenade on 1st and 2nd September 2018, already lined up this year are dance legend David Guetta, Jess Glynne, Shawn Mendez, Zarra Larsson and James Arthur . Keep up to date and get your tickets here.

Creamfields

Possibly the largest festival export of the area, Creamfields is an internationally known EDM festival that has lead the way for many more like it in recent years, however Creamfields will always be one of the founding fathers. Taking place from 23rd to 26th August 2018, this year’s line-up will have to outdo 2017 which saw the likes of The Chainsmokers, Eric Prydz and DEADMAU5 blow the crowds away. Head to the official website here to stay updated.

Liverpool Calling

From an international platform to a grassroots pioneer, Liverpool Calling has quietly been showcasing some of the cities brightest talent, growing year on year. After a two-year break, on Saturday 23rd June 2018 the festival switches the old haunt, The Bombed Out Church, Constellations with more to be announced. The same goes for the line-up as 854 local artists applied, so as the organisers said them selves, they might be a while. Find out more here. 

Liverpool Disco Festival

The Liverpool Disco Festival will be returning to Camp and Furnace on 31st March 2018, adding to The Baltic Triangles already booming festival calendar. Sure to carry on from where it left off last October the the line up features Jocelyn Brown, Kerri Chandler and many more to be announced. Also hosting a roller disco, disco shisha tents and much more, their isn’t another festival quite like this one this year. More info here. 

Wrong Festival

Wrong Festival describes itself as a festival for the “freak scene”, coming to the Liverpool docklands on 28th April 2018. Psych Rock and Metal acts such as Future of the Left and Colossus will be smashing through North Shore Troubadour, Invisble Wind Factory and Drop the Bumbulls this Spring with tickets priced at between £20 and £25. Get them whilst they’re searing hot, here. 

Positive Vibrations

Showing off just how diverse we are in Liverpool, we have our very own festival of Reggae music and Jamaica heritage, Positive Vibration – Festival of Reggae. This festival will be taking place at the Baltic Triangle on 8th & 9th June this year and involves live music, art exhibitions, record fair and market plus much more. Positive Vibration has quickly established itself as one of the UK’s most exciting reggae festivals, playing host to internationally renowned bands, legendary sound systems and selectors as well as some of the brightest new talent. Click here to find out more.

Wirral Festival of Firsts

The Wirral Festival of First 2018 will take place from 30th June – 14th July 2018 in various venues in and around Hoylake and Wirral. The festival brings together hundreds of artists, performers and musicians to celebrate the power and diversity of the Wirral art and music scene, showcasing local talent to the community and the surrounding areas. It’s not just the city centre that is doing it’s part to keep us at the top of the musical map. Head here for more information.

Shout About It Live

Shout About It Live is another grassroots festival that reminds us of it’s older cousin, Liverpool Calling. But, with Shout About It Live, we see live music and gig photography brought together over the two days. This hybrid festival was a huge success in 2017 and is coming back into focus this 18th and 19th August 2018. Be awestruck by live music and gig photography from around the world performed around The Baltic Triangle. More info available here.

Reminisce Festival

If it’s old skool nostalgia your” looking for, then the Reminisce Festival is the one for you. African Oye is taking you to another continent, the Psych Fest has transported us to another world, and Reminisce Festival will transport you back in time. Celebrating the best classics in dance music, Reminisce welcomed over 8000 dance lovers to the impressive Sherdley Park in 2017 and will definitely be doing the same on 8th September 2018

Carnival of Light

Rescheduled from December 2017, this April 14th and 15th 2018 head to Montford Hall to be treated to a club concept like no other, merging a spectrum of astounding lights, giant illuminated lanterns, lasers and phenomenal live performances to an epic soundtrack. Just take a look for yourself at what’s in store. As this was rescheduled, there are limited tickets left so get your mitts on them here.

Liverpool International Jazz Festival

The Sixth Liverpool International Jazz Festival (LIJF) will take place from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th February 2018, kicking off the year in a classy way. Featuring the James Taylor Quintet and a Q&A concert with Jason Robello, the festival takes place at The Capstone Theatre, Fredriks and Buyer’s Club with some events being free and others having their own, individual ticket prices. To find your jam, take a look at the full schedule here. 

Open Circuit

Open Circuit Festival is organised in by our very own Liverpool University and opens on Saturday 10th March 2018 featuring British improvising legend Evan Parker and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Ensemble 10/10. French composer and installation artist Gilbert Nouno, superstar cellist Jonathan Aasgaard and an annual Electronic Music and Video Showcase offer up an acquired, yet top quality taste for this unique Merseyside festival. All events are free, however tickets must be booked beforehand, running from 10th – 14th March with all events are held in the Victoria Gallery and Museum. Find out more here. 

International Beatle Week

Cavern City Tours is bringing you the annual International Beatle Week Festival from 22nd – 28th August 2018 across the city. Celebrating the music of the most famous pop group the world has ever known, the Beatles, in the city where it all began, is enough to draw fans of the fab four from all over the world to our streets, with 70 bands from over 20 countries and fans from over 40. Various ticket options and even travel packages are available from the festival’s website here.

Caribbean Music Festival

Last year we saw The Baltic Triangle’s District transformed in to a Caribbean hub, hosting artists who showcase an eclectic array of sounds, styles and performances from different islands of the Caribbean. The same is set to happen this year, from 6th to 8th of July, however the organisers are keeping their cards close to their chests, so sign up for their mailing list to be the first to know about line-up, venue and ticket announcements. This is one that is sure to turn up the heat on your summer, find out more here. 

SoulFest Presents Fire In The Soul

On Friday 23rd March the cities premier Soul promoters return with Fire In The Soul at St. George’s Hall. Feel the heat as you walk through sizzling displays from world-class fire performers, set against the beautiful backdrop of the iconic St George’s Hall with the music coming from Liverpool’s best and brightest Soul artists – artists that Soulfest have helped pull through the local scene through years of their Soul4Soul events and successful festivals that saw headliners such as Gabriel and Omar come to the city. Tickets are available here.

FestEvol Gardens

Just another quick, special mention for this one as there have been no announcements that there is going to be a 2018 edition of this cult classic, however, head here for updates and keep your fingers crossed that we’re here something from this cutting edge musical feast. Click here to find out more and get your tickets. 

The Guide Liverpool Fringe

Following the success of its inaugural event last summer, the Liverpool Fringe festival is back for 2018, taking over various venues across the city. And we’ve struck up an exciting partnership with the festival. The Guide Liverpool Fringe 2018 will run between the 1st and 17th June. Registration for the festival is now open:
Please visit our ‘Get Involved’ page for more information.

Which festival are you looking forward to in 2018? Have we missed a belter off our list? Drop us a line on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with your suggestions and we’ll share the best on our socials.