Beatleweek, Liverpool 2017.

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Ever since 2010 I have visited Liverpool on August Bank Holiday Weekend for a couple of days of International BeatleWeek and also for the first couple of years, The Mathew Street Festival.

The Mathew Street festival was a mixture of Beatles-related performers, up and coming bands and Tribute acts. It was truly a great event and a fantastic free celebration of Liverpool's musical heritage, enjoyed by young and old alike. Tribute acts can be marmite but the South American Queen tribute 'Dios Salve La Reina' had to be seen to be believed. It was as close to seeing the real deal as you could probably get. There were tons of others, The MerseyBeatles, 'The Stones', Bowie, U2 and AC/DC cover bands to name a few.

One year, however, I witnessed a small minority of drunken idiots spoiling it for the rest. They had obviously not come for the music, just to get intoxicated and launch cans and bottles into the crowd for fun. I have a sneaking suspicion that this trouble may have contributed to the festival's cancellation.

For the last couple of years I have attended the Beatles Convention at the Adelphi Hotel. If you are a Beatles fan, this is like Heaven on Earth. It is very well organised and features talks by many Beatles related guests. Notably over the last few years these have included Mark Lewisohn , Klaus Voormann , Freda Kelly, Mickey Dolenz, Julia Baird, 'Whispering' Bob Harris, Patti Boyd and many more.

It is great to hear their stories in such an environment, surrounded by organisers and fans from all over the world who have so much passion for the band and the music. There are also usually opportunities for autographs & photographs.

As well as Beatles Tribute bands performing in different rooms throughout the day and all night, there was a large record/ memorabilia fair. If you are on the hunt for a particular Beatles related record or collectable, the chances are you will find it here.

Although, be warned, it is worth going around all the stalls before you buy as prices can massively vary. (£12 for a standard Paul McCartney 'Pipes of Peace' 7" single anyone?). There are also a good amount of traders selling records by other collectable artists too.

(Fans of Queen, Bowie, Zeppelin, Floyd, Stones, Hendrix & The Who etc would not leave disappointed).

I managed to pick up:

McCartney - McCartney (1970 - Canadian Pressing)

The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane (Double A side pic sleeve)

George Harrison - When We was Fab (7" to replace the one I gave to my Mum!)

Paul McCartney - Young Boy (7" pic disc)

" " " - My Brave Face (7" pic sleeve)

" " " - Once Upon A Long Ago (7" pic sleeve)

Wings - Mull of Kintyre (7" pic sleeve)

(The above four singles I chucked out years ago when lacking space and regretted it ever since. Buying them again gave me lovely warm feeling).

Queen - Done Under Pressure (Double live LP, Mannheim, Germany 1986)

The Cross - Cowboys & Indians (7" pic sleeve)

Brian May - Why Don't We Try Again (7" pic disc)

Queen - Headlong (7" pic sleeve).

Kiss - (Self titled 1974 debut LP, US pressing)

Kiss - Crazy Nights Lp

Deep Purple - 24 Carat Purple LP.

The pick of the bands we saw at the Adelphi were:

The Flaming Shakers - (Covering the Hamburg/Cavern years)

3Q3 - (Jazz Beatles tribute)

The BlueBeetles - (George Harrison covers)

Father McKenzie- ( McCartney covers)

We listened to the talk given by Julia Baird (John Lennon's sister) and also, luckily, had chance to chat with her and have a picture before the big queue formed. She was a lovely, intelligent lady.

The next day we made our way to the Pier Head to enjoy some more bands. It was one of those rare days - a sunny British Bank Holiday Monday and absolutely perfect to enjoy outdoor live music.

We saw

The Boom Beatles Revival Orchestra

The Clube Big Beatles ( My personal favourite, checkout the guitar instrumental of 'A Day in the Life' on Youtube).

Nube 9

and Finnish Rolling Stones tribute, Rocks Off.

There were tons of food & drink stalls, bouncy castles and a kids area and people who just wanted to chill out in the sun.

During Nube 9's performance, a Muslim lady in a burka pushing a pram walked past. She turned to the audience and started doing 'the twist' much to the delight of the crowd who cheered her. She waved at the crowd laughing and carried on walking.

It struck me, that here we were, fans and bands from all corners of the globe, young & old, brought together by music.

Laughing, dancing and singing together with no problem.

It may sound naive and idealistic but in these troubled days, wouldn't it be great if we could all be like that?