Liverpool has a lengthy tradition of music both classical and pop. It is well known for the Beatles (who recorded 18 UK and 20 US number-one singles). Its pop and rock music scene has also been important in the development of a number of other bands and artists since the 1950s.[1]
In 2001 the Guinness Book of Records declared Liverpool "City of Pop" due to the many number one records to have emerged from the city. The most famous band to have come from Liverpool is the Beatles who played many of their early gigs at the Cavern Club.
Many sea shanties specifically refer to Liverpool, such as "Heave Away", "Liverpool Judies", and "Maggie May", which was later performed by the Beatles.
In the 1960s, the city was home to the development of the Merseybeat style of pop music, popularised by artists including Gerry & The Pacemakers. However, even before Merseybeat Liverpool had successful acts such as Frankie Vaughan, Lita Roza and Billy Fury. In the late 1970s/early 1980s, Echo & the Bunnymen, A Flock of Seagulls, Teardrop Explodes, the Mighty Wah!, OMD, China Crisis, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Dead or Alive emerged. A punk rock and post-punk scene rose during this period, centred around the venue Eric's on Matthew Street, until its closure in 1980 lead way to newer acts and independent labels with "do-it-yourself" ethos. Record Collector Tim Peacock said regions of this movement were documented with five compilation albums: A Trip to the Dentist (1980) for Birkenhead; Jobs for the Boys (1985) and its sequel Son of Jobs for the Boys (1985) for Merseyside; Elegance, Charm & Deadly Danger (1985) for St Helens; and Ways to Wear Coats (1986) for Liverpool in general.[2]
1990s bands that enjoyed success were the Boo Radleys, the La's, the Real People, the Farm and Cast. Peacock said the compilation album Dark Side of the Pool (1991) encapsulated the evolving indie music scene in Liverpool in the early 1990s.[2] During the 2000s bands such as the Zutons, the Wombats and the Coral became popular. As a backlash to this style of guitar pop music, another scene far more influenced by post punk and experimental music has emerged more recently, spearheaded by bands such as Space, Ladytron, Clinic, a.P.A.t.T., Hot Club de Paris and Kling Klang. Rappers such as Tremz, Aystar, Hazey, Still Brickin and Mazza_L20 have also emerged, using strong Scouse accents.
In 2008 World Museum Liverpool (in partnership the Institute of Popular Music at University of Liverpool) created "The Beat Goes On"[3] exhibition charting the history of music in Liverpool in depth, from 1945 to the present day.
The Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF)[4] evolved from the Mathew Street Music Festival, which was the largest annual free music festival in Liverpool attracting over 200,000 visitors to the city.
In 2011 the GIT Award[5] - formed through influential Liverpool music blog Getintothis - was founded. Dubbed the 'Scouse Mercury Prize' by NME, the GIT Award celebrated and championed Merseyside's revitalised music scene. Garnering backing from over 90 businesses and with a judging panel including the Guardian, NME, 6 Music and founder Peter Guy from the Liverpool Echo, the GIT Award nominated 12 artists representing the best artists from that calendar year.
Liverpool hosts several music festivals each year which celebrate and represent the different cultures within the city. Africa Oye[6] is the UK's largest free festival of African music.
Each year the Liverpool Irish Festival[7] is held featuring mostly folk music celebrating the cultural links between Liverpool and Ireland. Liverpool contains a very large Irish population.
In 2017 the music event Melodic Distraction became a radio station in and serving Liverpool.[8]
The 1960s saw the emergence of Merseybeat and the Cavern Club, the late 1970s and early 1980s a punk scene centred on another club, Eric's also on Mathew Street, while 1990s dance clubs included Quadrant Park, Cream and more recently Chibuku.[9] The majority of the city's largest and most popular music venues and clubs are located at Concert Square, Mathew Street, Hardman Street and Hope Street, though the Baltic Triangle region of the city has seen a growth in popularity, with a number of venues appearing in previously disused warehouses. Current venues include the Echo Arena Liverpool, East Village Arts Club, Kazimier, Zanzibar, O2 Academy, The Magnet, Camp & Furnace and Leaf on Bold Street.
See also: List of bands and artists from Merseyside.
A number of independent record labels are currently active in the Liverpool scene:
Below is a list of songs by artists from Liverpool that attained the number one position in the UK Singles Chart.