BEATLES BOOST FOR MATHEW STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL
EUROPE’S biggest FREE annual music festival is set to be the best yet – thanks to a new sponsorship deal with some of the world’s biggest companies associated with The Beatles.
And as a result of the unique deal, supporters of this weekend’s Mathew Street Musical Festival (August 30-31) will have a chance to win some amazing fab prizes.
They are:
* A VIP trip for two to see The Beatles “Love” in Las Vegas
* A guided tour of Abbey Road Studios
* A chance to be the first in the UK to perform a Beatles: Rock Band track to thousands of people
This fabulous celebration of the music of The Beatles, in advance of the upcoming release on 09.09.09 of The Beatles Remasters and The Beatles: Rock Band, is the result of a major sponsorship deal announced today between festival organisers, Liverpool City Council, and Harmonix/MTV Games/EA, EMI Music and Cirque du Soleil.
The unique package was facilitated by Bill Heckle, a Director of Mathew Street Festival Ltd and co-founder of the annual festival which is now in its 17th year attracting up to 250,000 people to the city.
The prizes in detail are:
1. A VIP trip for two to see The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage in Las Vegas, including:
* Flights for two to Las Vegas (capped at £1,700)
* Four night hotel stay at The Mirage
* Dinner for two at The Mirage
* Spa treatment for two at The Mirage
* Two VIP tickets to The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil
* A VIP Gift from LOVE
The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil is excited to be a part of this year’s festivities, in the city where all the music that inspired the magical Las Vegas production first began. “Love” has been thrilling audiences since it opened in June 2006 at The Mirage hotel, with its exuberant young cast and glorious musical soundscape, created from The Beatles’ original masters by Sir George and Giles Martin.
2. Five pairs of tickets to a special guided tour of Abbey Road Studios
EMI Music is delighted to be supporting the Mathew Street Music Festival and celebrating the release of The Beatles Remasters in the band’s home town.
“We know the fans have been waiting a long time,” said EMI’s Guy Hayden, “but it’s been worth the wait. The music sounds better than ever and the Mini Documentaries on each album are like eavesdropping on the band in the studio. The new packaging has a wealth of marvellous rare photographs and the newly written liner notes will be fascinating for new fans and aficionados alike.’’
To win either of these prizes, people must answer questions posted on the official festival website http://www.mathewstreetfestival.com
Winners of both competitions will be announced on the Tunnel Stage, Monday 31st August, and on the festival website. Closing date for entries: Midnight on Sunday 30th August.
EMI Music have also arranged for fans attending the Beatles Week Convention at the Adelphi Hotel to get an exclusive preview of The Beatles Remasters, with playback sessions running from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Sunday 30th August.
3. Play The Beatles: Rock Band on stage at the Mathew Street Music Festival
Harmonix/MTV Games, EA and The Beatles: Rock Band are happy to be a part of this year’s festival, and look forward to taking Liverpool by storm with the most innovative Rock Band game yet. Festival goers will be the first in the UK to have a chance to play the game, with a demo version available only at HMV in the Liverpool One shopping centre on Sunday and Monday, ten days ahead of the game’s release on 09.09.09. Wanna-be Beatles can try their hand at playing Paul McCartney’s bass, Ringo’s drums and John and George’s signature guitars, not to mention the three part vocal harmonies – a first for Rock Band and an integral part of The Beatles’ much-loved sound.
Visitors to HMV will also have a chance to catch a glimpse of the stunning game animation, with its faithfully recreated locations and colourful, psychedelic dreamscapes. “For the first time fans can experience the Beatles’ music from the inside – as part of the band,” said MTV Games Music Division SVP Paul De Gooyer. “You can experience their legendary story in an entirely new way”.
The best performing band on Sunday and Monday at HMV (which can be one person to six people) will have the opportunity to reprise their winning Rock Band song live on the Derby Square stage that day, after 4pm.
2009 MSMF IN BRIEF:
Highlights of Europe’s biggest FREE annual music festival includes shows by legendary Liverpool bands China Crisis and The Christians plus special guest appearances by famed rock drummer Alan White of 70s supergroup YES, who also performed on John Lennon’s “Imagine” and George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord”, and Grammy-award winning guitarist Albert Lee.
And for the first time at the festival there will be stages hosting Country and Irish music, with a record 11 different themes programmed across six outdoor stages over the Sunday and Monday of the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Over 80 hours of live outdoor music has been programmed for the city council funded festival, with 95 of the best original and tribute act bands from as far afield as USA, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden and Scotland covering hits by greats such as Queen, Blondie, Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Kings of Leon, Paul Weller and the Scissor Sisters.
The outdoor stages will operate from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on both days, with indoor venues offering live music from 12 noon until the early hours.
Launched last year, the MSMF Fringe has grown to cover three days (Saturday – Monday), with 43 indoor venues – double the number of last year – hosting Liverpool’s hottest new bands. This year’s MSMF Fringe contains highlights such as all-day gigs at the Zanzibar and Masque on Seel Street, from acoustic sessions at the world famous Parr Street Studio 2 to music and film with Urban Strawberry Lunch in St. Luke’s bombed out church. Seel Street will also be transformed by live pavement art from Urban Canvas and overrun by camera crews taking part in the Fringe 48-hour film challenge.