Next in the ever-lengthening line of musical events to grace Liverpool is On The Waterfront, a concert series held over four evenings at the Pier Head, flanked by the Three Graces on one side and the River Mersey on the other. It’s a lovely setting for a show, for how different it feels. These aren’t small events, by any means, and finding a way to nestle them amongst such eye-catching scenery is unequivocally part of the appeal. You could stick them in a park, but it just wouldn’t be the same; the key attracting force is the aesthetic.
Of course, you can’t waylay the music, either. Across four days come diverse lineups deliberately targeting wide, overlapping demographics, not to mention some distinct local flavouring amongst them. In the case of The Wombats, you’d struggle to call them a ‘local band’ anymore, but as the headliner of an indie bill in their home city, is there anyone more fitting than the band whose seminal lyric begins “I’m back in Liverpool”? As for who’s joining them, Overpass have made their fair share of noise around the city in various capacities over the last few years, while Keyside return after a support slot with Ocean Colour Scene at last year’s event. In terms of where Liverpool indie is at the moment, these two really do have the most populous buzz, and something like this won’t hurt in the slightest. Coming from slightly further afield (i.e. the misty hinterlands of Manchester), Corella are another band for whom the stepping stones to indie-pop dominance have been laid out neatly for them. Finally for Thursday’s bill are Pale Waves, more in the pop-rock vein than their peers today, but a band who’ve grown into a terrific live force nonetheless. With a bit of sun on their side, they could legitimately be unstoppable.
Jumping to Friday’s lineup also requires a slightly bigger jump over the Irish Sea, as The Wolfe Tones head up a bill of Irish folk that seeks to wear its diversity in style proudly. It’s the headliners that carry the most weight there, currently in the midst of a farewell tour after more than 60 years in which they’ve remained shockingly consistent. (For context, they formed in 1963, and their last ‘new’ member joined in 1964.) This will actually be their final show in England, and for such a longstanding—and pretty undersung—musical institution, it’s set to be a good one. Their undercard covers some impressive ground, too, most notably in The Scratch and how different their blend of Irish folk and metal sensibilities can ring. For something more traditional (in more ways than one, often), The Highstool Prophets’ profile and reputation for a pub-friendly knees-up doesn’t go unnoticed. Finally is Shea Doolin, the self-proclaimed ‘Scouse Irish musician’ with the kind of upbeat, populist folk songs that, in the city that birthed Jamie Webster, are bound to go down a treat.
For something a bit less mandolin-heavy, Saturday sees Cream presenting the Kaleidoscope Orchestra and their renditions of Ibiza staples from over the decades. This is the exact sort of thing that Liverpool audiences adore, and they really seem to have pulled out all the stops to make this one special. Curation comes from long-lived house / garage trio K-Klass, with further appearances from the likes of Groove Armada, Chicane and Todd Terry, among others. For a certain generation of clubbers, it’s almost too easy of a sell. You’ve got a high-end, respected outfit who’ve already raked in Liverpool’s adoration by the shovel-load, paired with a slew of classic house names.
Winding the clock back even further, though, is Sting, bringing On The Waterfront to a close on Sunday as part of his 3.0 World Tour. He’s an artist who needs little introduction—he’s a mainstay in British pop and rock, both on his own and with The Police, racking up 40 years of just solo material to keep him going. For those invested, it’s a phenomenal get, and the lynchpin in On The Waterfront reaching further afield than just the northwest. That’s not to say there isn’t a suitably classic foil to be found in that area, as Liverpool’s own The Christians hold the distinction of having Island Records’ highest selling debut album, as well as a string of international hits that established them among sophistipop’s essential names. Rounding off are some newer names striving to hit with a likeminded new wave space—Traits’ glamorous indie-pop that’s locked airtight into the classics, and Sophie Grey’s slightly wonkier, spikier but no less compelling take.
On The Waterfront takes place on 19th-22nd June at Liverpool’s Pier Head. For more information, visit www.onthewaterfrontfestival.com.
Words by Luke Nuttall
