Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF)

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One of Liverpool’s most popular events returns this year – with a whole new look and ambition to boost the city’s music sector.

Renowned for showcasing the best international and national household names alongside emerging talent at an accessible, low ticket price, Liverpool International Music Festival takes place from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July in a brand new home.

In a change to previous years, this year’s LIMF will see a city-centre takeover of around 25 venues and outdoor locations.  The move has been prompted in a bid to re-energise and support the city’s music sector which was severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic

As a massively popular event in the city’s events calendar, the LIMF team wants music-lovers to experience amazing performers in the city’s diverse range of incredible venues, and in the process, bring them much-needed footfall and a financial boost to help with their recovery after an unpredictable two years.

So who is on the multi-venue, line-up?

British reggae and pop band legends UB40 ft Ali Campbell, iconic American hip hop trio De La Soul, Liverpool royalty The Zutons, one of the hottest new bands around at the moment Red Rum Club, all-female DJ Collective Girls Don’t Sync, critically acclaimed rapper Kojey Radical, electrifying performers House Gospel Choir and the singer behind the unmistakable M People vocals, Heather Small, are among the first acts to be announced for LIMF 2022.

Venues include the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Bombed Out Church (St Luke’s), Invisible Wind Factory, 24 Kitchen Street, District, Arts Club Liverpool and Camp and Furnace.

It’s a mixture of free and ticketed events, and there’s something for everyone with under-18 gigs such as LIMF Presents… The Shubz which will see a host of BBC Radio 1XTRA DJs including Kenny AllStar, Sian Anderson and Cuppy playing the very best in grime and hip hop.

The theme of LIMF 2022 is Power to the People & Purpose, and is a homage to those game-changing, trailblazing people, movements and music genres who empowered change for the better.

Organisers have now announced there is even more to enjoy including a Return to the Timepiece event which is a celebration of the legendary 70s Liverpool soul and R&B nightclub by equally as legendary DJ Les Spaine, and American rock band We Are Scientists will perform at Arts Club Liverpool.

With an emphasis on making music as accessible as possible, many of the new LIMF additions are completely FREE. These include:

• A set at The Merchant with DJ Greg Wilson who is regarded as one of the most important figures on the UK dance scene.
• A special nod to the impact of the festival’s very own talent development programme with LIMF Academy Presents… which will see the Academy talent showcased at the Kazimier Stockroom across the weekend. Expect performances from the current cohort and some alumni making special appearances including Jalen Ngonda, IAmKyami, Amber Jay, Ni Maxine and many more.
• Still Do The Right Thing – LIMF partners with BOLD and Liverpool John Moores University to delve into the relationship between music, art, fashion and activism using Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing as the stimulus. Creative responses will be exhibited and panel discussions will take place on the Saturday. The Sunday will see the live element of the programme with performances at District by hip-hop duo Children of Zeus, Grammy-winning jazz duo Blue Lab Beats and emerging reggae-soul artist, Aleighcia Scott among others.
• Black Nights Trail -  A tour around Liverpool 8 to explore and discover why most locals from the African Diaspora chose to party closer to home on their weekends back in the day, and the role these clubs had on the local community and the wider Liverpool music scene. It is led by poet, author, musician and presenter Curtis Watt.
• DJ sets at the Bombed Out Church in the afternoon and early evening on Sunday offer up diverse music genres for all tastes. It’s hosted by Sisu which is dedicated to showcasing women and non-binary DJs and Keep It Cryptic who are the masters of secret dance parties. The musical programme with feature DJs from both crews.

Venues include the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Bombed Out Church (St Luke’s), Invisible Wind Factory, 24 Kitchen Street, District, Arts Club Liverpool, Camp and Furnace, The Merchant, Kazimier Stockroom, LJMU John Lennon Art & Design Building, Ettie’s and Chapters of Us.

As well as programming gigs in venues, the LIMF team has also supported a number of promoters across the city to enable them to stage their own events as part of LIMF 2022, adding more to the offer for music lovers over the weekend. Some of these shows including EVOL presents…We Are Scientists plus support at Arts Club Liverpool, and A Jazz Happening courtesy of The Wombat at Etties.

For full details of the line-up to date, and to benefit from Early Bird tickets, head to www.limfestival.com. Ticket prices will vary per venue, with prices starting from just £5 to £35 plus booking fee. Some events will be free but tickets are still required for many of them.

Over 100 more artists are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

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