Apologies for the lengthy posting – this is the full press release from today.
BEATLES SIR PAUL McCARTNEY & RINGO STARR RETURN TO THEIR HOME CITY FOR EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
The City of Liverpool today, unveiled a spectacular programme of events for its year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
Sir Paul McCartney returns to his native city to headline ‘The Liverpool Sound’ concert at Anfield Stadium on June 1 while fellow ex Beatle Ringo Starr and Eurythmic Dave Stewart will head up ‘Liverpool The Musical’ at the opening of the brand new Liverpool Echo Arena on January 12 2008.
The programme revealed today sees collaboration between the Liverpool Culture Company and major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool, Merseyside, and beyond. Today’s announcement coincided with the launch of a ticket ballot for a number of major events including the official opening event of the 2008 programme at the Liverpool Echo Arena and The Liverpool Sound at Anfield Stadium.
The Liverpool Sound
This once-in-a-lifetime concert to celebrate Liverpool’s unrivalled status as the World’s Capital of pop, rock and contemporary music will be a global event. It will be a multi-artist concert in front of 35,000 people at the world famous Anfield Football Stadium headlined by Sir Paul McCartney and his band and will also feature, live on stage, global superstars of popular music, to be announced at a later date. Millions of viewers will also see this celebration of Liverpool on television and online as it will be broadcast live to a worldwide audience. This will be the first and last global concert ever to be staged at Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club, before it relocates. It is well documented that world famous artists and musicians cite the Liverpool music scene as an inspiration to them and their music, and now, that music has travelled around the world and will, in 2008 at The Liverpool Sound, come back home to be redefined in the place it was born.
Sir Paul McCartney said “I’m very excited about Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture in 2008. We have a fantastic series of events which are sure to get you excited too. I’m very proud of the city and I look forward to welcoming you all and showing you a good time. It’s going to be a great year!