Liverpool Life issue 12

Page 1

Liverpool

Life

www.jmu-journalism.org.uk

19th - February - 2013

END OF AN ERA by Sam McDonnell

The Mathew Street Festival is set to undergo a transformation after 20 years of musical entertainment in Liverpool’s most famous street. The newly-anointed Liverpool International Music Festival, which will feature the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, will take place jointly on the Pier Head and in Sefton Park, Mayor Joe Anderson has confirmed. This summer’s celebration will mark the end of the Mathew Street reign, which has brought hundreds of thousands of people to the city to see both tribute bands and original acts perform in venues across the city centre on the August bank holiday, focussing on the hallowed Cavern Club and the influence of the Beatles. In an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside, Mayor Anderson said that the changes to the festival would save the council £320,000 per year; 40% less than the previous guise. He said: “After 20 years of Mathew Street Music Festival it feels right that the event evolves into a refreshed event which will have mass appeal. “Over the years the original festival has become more high-profile and as a result it became one of the most costly to stage. “It simply isn’t affordable to continue funding this event when we are facing cuts of more than £149m over the next four years.” The festival has caused controversy over the years, with Mayor Anderson referring to the ‘drunken culture’ that the event has attracted and this move further away from the pub and club district of Mathew Street is hoped to curb such behaviour. However, Lennon’s Bar on Mathew Street is among those to confirm that the changes will not be affecting their usual operations in August. The bar tweeted: “We won’t be cancelling our festival long live the Beatle Convention long live Mathew Street Festival!!”

“I don’t think they should have axed it, it brought an awful lot of people into the city.” Mairead Kelly, 62, Childwall

“It’ll be better for younger people because it’ll be different kinds of music.” John Friel, 51, Warrington

“I think it’s a good idea because I reckon it’ll be policed better.”

Jill Holmes, 40, Huyton

“It’s a shame it’s being axed because it was just getting a name for itself.” Steven Butchard, 48, Crosby

“The new festival will still be good for the city. I think it’s even better for the city actually.” Paul Taylor, 23, Huyton Mathew Street Festival has been axed and replaced by new Liverpool International Music Festival © David Dawson/Flickr

More on page 3...

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My beauty nightmare! The treatments that could end up costing you more than money

Victory at last ... Tongan five help Old Anselmians to their first away win in nearly 18 months

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