Issue 87 / April 2018

NEWS
LIMF’s New Generation
For the past five years, LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL MUSIC
FESTIVAL has delighted punters across Merseyside with its Summer
Jam – for 2018, they’re pulling out all the stops, bringing some of
the UK’s most popular and critically acclaimed contemporary acts
to Sefton Park on 21st and 22nd July. Alongside big hitters like
EXAMPLE and DJ WIRE and longstanding Godfather of Grime,
WILEY, there are hotly-tipped newcomers like STEFFLON DON and
MAHALIA, and Mercury Prize winners YOUNG FATHERS, whose
new album Cocoa Sugar is a shoe-in for record of the year (yeh,
we’re only four months in but it’s that good). Keep an eye out for the
new iteration of the much-loved itsliverpool Stage too – Next Gen
will continue LIMF’s tradition of platforming the best new talent in
the city. The festival will be ticketed this year, but for a mere £5 a
day it doesn’t really take much thought. Head to limfestival.com for
more info.
Young Fathers
Alight Of Night
LIGHTNIGHT represents the best chance of experiencing a huge
chunk of the city’s cultural offer in one foot-blistering swoop. For
one night galleries, museums, venues and other spaces in the city
open their doors for special events running from late afternoon
to after darkness falls. This year’s ‘Transformation’ theme sees
some enticing commissions from sound artist Patrick Dineen,
another light and sound spectacular at Liverpool Cathedral and
the British Music Experience hosting an interactive installation.
Bido Lito! members will be able to experience the highlights with
our own guided tour. For more info on this year’s programme go
to lightnightliverpool.co.uk.
LightNight (Photo by Pete Carr)
WoW: Crossing Borders
Lily Allen
WRITING ON THE WALL – Liverpool’s literary festival that takes over the city each
May – are not shy about addressing some of the most pressing questions of our time,
and they’ve surpassed themselves with their plans for 2018. Taking on the theme
of ‘Crossing Borders’, their events will explore how society can move forward and
champion more voices at a time when building, and reinforcing, barriers and borders
are challenging progressive thought. They’ll be addressing Justice4Grenfell with input
from LOWKEY and LILY ALLEN, questioning the prison system, celebrating the work
of city writers, and taking on toxic masculinity with two of the most prominent voices
in the UK to speak out about it – comedian ROBERT WEBB and Rizzle Kicks’ JORDAN
STEPHENS. Find out more at writingonthewall.org.uk.
Plotting The Mind Map
It’s Time To Talk About Drugs
Sleaford Mods, Shopping and The Orielles are among the musical
guests on new interactive mental health website THE MIND MAP which
launched in March. Developed with clinical input from NHS Liverpool
CCG and Mersey Care along with Liverpool John Moores University,
the site provides wellbeing advice and signposting to mental health
services along with interviews with artists, young people and health
professionals. The Mind Map launched with an exhibition (which runs
until 8th April) and conversation with Everton footballer Leighton
Baines at Unit 51. They’ll be continuing activity locally with mental
health and media workshops with the Merseyside Youth Association’s
mental health group in April. Find out more at themindmap.co.uk.
An important subject is being tackled head-on at the Jacaranda
in April with Resonate Liverpool coordinating a discussion on
drug welfare at UK music venues. Looking at the expansion of the
multi-agency safety testing (M.A.S.T.) programme operated by
community interest organisation The Loop, and following the policy
recommendations of West Midland Police, the discussion looks to
move the conversation forward rather than simply re-treading old
ground. The panel event on Saturday 14th April at the Jac consists of
representatives from The Loop, Fabric London nightclub (the nightclub
which implemented M.A.S.T.’s anonymous drug testing initiative after
reviews to their licence) and national committees on drug issues.
Beautiful World, Where Are You?
Ari Benjamin Meyers
The 10th edition of LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL will be exploring the
question ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You?’ this year with artists from
across the globe arriving in our midst. Exhibitions in art spaces and
special commissions in the public realm will once again transform
the city with works by artists from various countries’ indigenous
communities, community collaborations and the rediscovery of our
city’s treasures. Among the highlights are Oscar-nominated Belgian
video artist AGNÈS VARDA’s first work in the UK, works by artist ARI
BENJAMIN MEYERS exploring Liverpool’s musical heritage which is
set in the Playhouse, and a ‘healing’ garden to be produced by artist
MOHAMED BOUROUISSA in Toxteth.
10