The best music festivals coming to Merseyside this summer

Merseyside is preparing for a summer of spectacular live music.

Much focus will be on performances by Taylor Swift and P!NK at Anfield in June. However, there are numerous other gigs taking place in the region with something for everyone to enjoy.

There will be huge showcases taking over the city centre as well as smaller events dotted around Merseyside. Local musicians such as Jamie Webster, Holly Johnson and The Lightning Seeds will be performing as well as emerging talents and big names from across the UK and the world. Here is our round-up of the best festivals taking place over the next few months.

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Baltic Weekender - Various locations across the Baltic, May 31 - June 1

The annual festival will return to several places in the city centre district with a line up including house, techno, grime and bass. Organisers have promised this will be the “best and biggest and sunniest one yet”.

They have added there will be brand new outdoor stages this year, with the biggest stage somewhere “deep in the Baltic”. Venues confirmed to be taking part are Brick Street, 24 Kitchen Street, Camp and Furnace and a stage in the Blundell Street car park.

You can find out more about the festival here.

Save the Rave - Victoria Park, Southport - June 8

Save the Rave festivals are taking place across the UK. These outdoor music festivals will celebrate 90s music and it will come to Victoria Park in Southport on June 8.

From 12pm to 10pm, as well as retro 90s anthems and classics, there will be a variety of performers and giveaways. Festival goers can also enjoy pop-up gin and prosecco bars, street food trucks and food stalls.

You can find out more here.

On The Waterfront - Pier Head - June 20-24

On The Waterfront will return to the Pier Head for its third edition this summer with a slight change. Last year saw a stellar line-up featuring Jamie Webster, Camel Phat, The Coral and James.

This year’s festival however will kick-off on June 20 with a live comedy gig from Scouse comedian Paul Smith, who made his name in the Hot Water Comedy Club. Music will be back the following evening with Birmingham rock band Ocean Colour Scene.

The next two days will see headliners from Newcastle DJ Ben Hemsley and Deacon Blue.

More information is available here.

Africa Oyé festival - Sefton Park, June 22-23

Liverpool’s free celebration of African and Caribbean music is back again. Creative force Les Amazones d'Afrique will close proceedings on Saturday, June 22, while Julian Marley, reggae legend Bob Marley's son, tops the bill on Sunday with his band, The Uprising.

There will be international acts such as Haitian multilingual poet and MC Vox Sambou as well as local talent such as MD Productions. You can find out more here.

In the Park festival ft. Jamie Webster and Cream Classics - Sefton Park, July 11-13

Sefton Park will be hosting more live music the following month. Indie band Catfish and the Bottlemen will lead the first show in what will be the biggest headline show of the band’s career to date.

Liverpool musician Jamie Webster will take to the stage the next day. He'll be joined by Rotherham band The Reytons, Irish folk music The Mary Wallopers and Scottish artist Brooke Combe.

The Saturday will see Cream Classical and the 50-piece Kaleidoscope Orchestra take over to deliver a set list curated by dance music duo K-Klass, with live performances from dance music stars including Jocelyn Brown, Innercity and Robin S.

More information is available here.

Pulse Music Festival Sherdley Park in St Helens - July 23

Pulse Music Festival will debut in Sherdley Park in St Helens this summer. Acts include local DJ Eric McKenna, Ben from Phats & Small, Ultra 90s, the Oaces tribute band and Scouting for Girls.

The festivals will be family friendly, with a funfair and activities for kids, food stalls and a bar. More information is available here.

Liverpool Celebrates Mathew Street Music Festival - Pier Head, August 23-26

Liverpool Celebrates will take place for the first time this August. Acting as a successor to the Mathew Street festival, this will take place solely in the Pier Head.

Holly Johnson, the lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, will perform on opening night as well as Merseyside bands The Lightning Seeds, Space and China Crisis.

The Jacksons, made up of brothers Jackie, Tito and Marlon Jackson, will headline the Saturday, joined by a spectacular 10 piece live band. Beforehand, the two winners of a ‘battle of the artists’ competition will take to the stage, showcasing the next generation of musical talent from Merseyside.

The following two days will be dedicated to tribute bands paying homage to the likes of The Beatles, Abba, Oasis and Adele. More information is available here.

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