TL;DR
- Liverpool has a legendary live music scene with 50+ venues featuring every genre
- Must-visit spots include The Cavern Club, The Jacaranda, Arts Club, 24 Kitchen Street, and Leaf
- Discover the next big thing at smaller venues like EBGBs, Kazimier Stockroom, and Zanzibar
- Enjoy major concerts at the M&S Bank Arena and outdoor festivals like Sound City and Africa Oye
- With live music happening every night, Liverpool is a music lover’s dream destination
Introduction
Liverpool is a city that lives and breathes music. As a UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool’s musical reputation is unrivalled – from birthing The Beatles to its thriving modern scene.
With over 50 diverse venues and live music happening every night of the week, Liverpool offers an unforgettable experience for music lovers of all tastes.
Whether you want to explore the city’s rich musical heritage, catch the hottest emerging acts, or see world-renowned artists, you’ll find it all in Liverpool.
The city’s friendly crowds, historic architecture, and buzzing cultural scene provide the perfect backdrop for enjoying incredible live performances.
So if you’re wondering where to listen to live music in Liverpool, read on for our insider’s guide to the city’s must-visit music venues and events.
Get ready to discover your new favourite band in this legendary music city.
The Cavern Club
No music trip to Liverpool is complete without a visit to the world-famous Cavern Club. This iconic venue is known as the birthplace of The Beatles, who played nearly 300 shows here in their early days.
Today, the club hosts live music every afternoon and evening across three stages.
Descend the stairs into this underground musical shrine and you’ll find an intimate brick-vaulted space that has welcomed everyone from The Rolling Stones to Adele. Catch tribute acts, up-and-coming bands, and established artists while soaking up the historic atmosphere.
The Cavern Club is an absolute must for Beatles fans and all music lovers.
The Jacaranda
The Jacaranda is another essential Liverpool music venue with a fascinating Beatles connection.
The Jac was founded by The Beatles’ first manager, Allan Williams, and John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe once painted a mural in the basement.
This legendary spot features live music most nights, with an emphasis on showcasing emerging local talent. Head downstairs to the cozy brick basement to see the next big thing in an authentic Liverpool music setting.
Upstairs, The Jac also houses a record store, café, and bar – perfect for a pre or post-show hang.
Arts Club
Housed in a stunning converted 19th-century arts center, the Arts Club is one of Liverpool’s premier midsize music venues.
This beautiful space features original architectural details and a modern sound system, providing a dramatic setting for concerts.
The eclectic calendar at Arts Club spans indie, electronic, hip hop, and everything in between. See rising stars and established acts from around the world in an inspiring, creative environment.
With several bars, the Arts Club is also a great place to meet up with friends over drinks and enjoy Liverpool’s buzzing cultural scene.
24 Kitchen Street
Located in Liverpool’s creative Baltic Triangle district, 24 Kitchen Street is one of the city’s most exciting underground music venues.
This raw industrial space is a hub for the alternative, hosting gigs and club nights with a focus on electronic, experimental, and avant-garde sounds.
If you’re looking to experience Liverpool’s cutting-edge music scene, 24 Kitchen Street is the place to be.
Discover boundary-pushing artists from Liverpool and beyond, and dance the night away with a friendly crowd of music lovers. Don’t miss this hidden gem.
Leaf
For a more laidback live music experience, head to Leaf on Bold Street. This welcoming café and bar hosts regular music nights spotlighting local singer-songwriters and up-and-coming bands.
Enjoy intimate sets while sipping tea or cocktails in a relaxed setting.
With delicious, locally-sourced food and a great selection of beers and drinks, Leaf is the perfect place to unwind and discover new music.
The bright, airy space is also ideal for daytime working, reading, or catching up with friends. Experience Liverpool’s café culture with a musical twist at Leaf.
EBGBs
EBGBs is an essential grassroots music venue located in the heart of Liverpool’s Ropewalks district.
This intimate basement club is a launch pad for rising local bands and a tour stop for indie acts from around the world.
With a capacity of just 150, EBGBs offers the chance to see tomorrow’s stars up close. Attend a local band night to experience Liverpool’s famous music scene at the ground level, or keep an eye on the calendar for your favorite indie artists. EBGBs is what Liverpool music is all about.
Kazimier Stockroom
The team behind Liverpool’s much-loved Kazimier club now runs this warehouse venue in the North Docks.
The Kazimier Stockroom is a creative space for music, art, theatre, and community events, with a focus on the cutting edge.
Attend gigs, club nights, markets, and performance art in this raw industrial setting. The Kazimier Stockroom is a hub for Liverpool’s alternative and DIY cultural scene, with an emphasis on experimentation and collaboration. Experience music at the vanguard at this innovative venue.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is another of Liverpool’s legendary grassroots music venues. Known as “The Zoo” to locals, this small club has hosted early gigs by Noel Gallagher, The Coral, and The Zutons. Today, it remains a key launchpad for Merseyside bands.
Attend a local showcase at Zanzibar to see Liverpool’s most promising new acts. With a low stage and a capacity of under 300, you’ll get an up-close experience of future stars. For a classic Liverpool indie music night out, Zanzibar is the place to be.
The Shipping Forecast
The Shipping Forecast is a restaurant, bar, and music venue that sums up Liverpool’s thriving cultural scene.
Enjoy dinner and drinks in the ground floor space, decorated with nautical touches nodding to the city’s maritime heritage. Then head downstairs to The Hold for live music and club nights.
The Shipping Forecast hosts an eclectic mix of touring acts and local bands, with a friendly vibe that’s welcoming to all.
The cozy basement venue is the perfect place to discover new music while meeting locals and fellow travelers alike. Experience Liverpool’s famously outgoing character at The Shipping Forecast.
Invisible Wind Factory
Occupying a massive warehouse in Liverpool’s North Docks, the Invisible Wind Factory is one of the city’s most ambitious music venues.
This vast space hosts large-scale concerts, raves, festivals and creative events, often featuring spectacular lighting and visuals.
The calendar at Invisible Wind Factory spans big name DJs, indie and electronic acts, and experimental performance art.
Attend a club night to experience Liverpool’s vibrant dance music scene, or see a concert in this jaw-dropping post-industrial setting. The Invisible Wind Factory is a must for lovers of electronic music, art and culture.
M&S Bank Arena
For the biggest concerts, comedy and events, Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena is the place to be.
This 11,000-capacity venue on the historic waterfront hosts the world’s biggest music stars when they come to town.
See A-list artists and bands in a spectacular setting, with the River Mersey and Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage skyline as a backdrop.
With restaurants, bars, a cinema and more on site, the M&S Bank Arena is an entertainment destination that showcases Liverpool at its most impressive.
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is a beautiful art deco concert hall that’s a must-visit for classical music lovers. Hear one of the UK’s finest orchestras in their stunning home venue.
The Philharmonic Hall also hosts an eclectic mix of rock, pop, folk, and world music acts. See national and international stars in this elegant and intimate setting, and enjoy drinks or dining at the venue’s bars and restaurant. The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is a true cultural gem.
Liverpool Festivals
Liverpool’s music scene isn’t confined to its venues – the city also hosts a packed calendar of music festivals throughout the year. Don’t miss these annual celebrations of Liverpool’s musical diversity and creativity:
- Sound City – showcase of emerging talent from Liverpool and beyond, across the city’s best venues
- Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) – Sefton Park concerts featuring big name acts and local stars
- Africa Oyé – the UK’s largest celebration of African music and culture, in Sefton Park
- Liverpool Psych Fest – the world’s leading festival of psychedelic music, art and culture
- Positive Vibration – a celebration of reggae music and Jamaican heritage in the Baltic Triangle
Experience music in the fresh air and sunshine (or rain!) at these unforgettable Liverpool music festivals. Discover new sounds while soaking up the city’s famously friendly and outgoing festival atmosphere.
Conclusion
As this guide shows, Liverpool is bursting with incredible opportunities to experience live music. From historic venues like The Cavern Club to cutting-edge spaces like 24 Kitchen Street, and from cosy pubs to massive arenas and festivals, you’ll find it all in this world-famous music city.
Explore the venues and events mentioned here, but don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten track too. Every night, in every corner of Liverpool, there’s a band plugging in or a DJ starting their set. All you have to do is follow the music to find your new favourite act.
So what are you waiting for? Come to Liverpool and experience this legendary music city for yourself. With so many venues and events to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect soundtrack to your Liverpool adventure. See you down the front!
Where can I listen to live music in Liverpool?
Citations:
[1] https://google.com/maps/?ll=53.402422%2C-2.979569&q=The+Jacaranda&z=15
[2] https://www.cavernclub.com
[3] http://www.arts-club-liverpool.com
[4] https://www.liverpoolphil.com/music-room
[5] https://www.merakiliverpool.co.uk
[6] http://quarrysound.co.uk
[7] https://www.zanzibarclub.co.uk
[8] http://www.invisiblewindfactory.com
[9] https://citiesofmusic.net/city/liverpool/
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[11] https://onlyinliverpool.co.uk/liverpool-music-scene/
[12] https://www.visitliverpool.com/whats-on/music-events-in-liverpool/
[13] https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/city-arts-tour/liverpool/exploring-liverpools-music-scene
[14] https://www.boot—music.com/post/best-independent-music-venues-in-liverpool
[15] https://www.visitliverpool.com/blog/post/five-reasons-to-visit-liverpool-for-the-music-scene/
[16] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Liverpool
[17] https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/10-places-liverpool-you-can-11800144
[18] https://www.songkick.com/metro-areas/24526-uk-liverpool
[19] https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/liverpool-music-city/