A SUMMER IN SOUND: FESTIVALS, FRESH ENERGY AND THE RISE OF OUTER WAVES
We are already in the thick of Liverpool Music Month. Personally I’m just about getting over the long weekend of Sound City – one of the best editions ever – then I’m thinking about getting back into training, so I have the stamina to make the most of everything that is coming up in the Summer of Music.
Festivals are of course a big part of this musical summer and in Liverpool we are really lucky to have a range of events which show off our amazingly vibrant and diverse music offer. As well as Sound City there’s the welcome return of Africa Oyé – a completely unique festival which we are so lucky to have in Liverpool. Then there’s the likes of Baltic Weekender, On the Waterfront, In The Park and Creamfields. As a Bootle boy I must admit a particular soft spot for the weekend long Salt and Tar festival which is once again bringing a great line up to the good people of Bootle, this year on a different site on the fields behind the wonderful Lock and Quay pub.
One really exciting element is that this incredible festival picture isn’t a static thing. A few weeks ago for example, over the Easter weekend, we had the debut of The Long Good Friday in the Baltic Triangle. The two local promoters behind this put together a high quality, intriguing line up in year one and based on the reception this year it looks like being a festival which will grow and grow.
Equally promising is another left field festival called Outer Waves, now entering its second year and taking place over the second May bank holiday weekend.
I spoke to Joel Murray, one of the festival founders to find out more about the background to the festival. The team behind the festival is made up of people who are immersed in the local music scene: Chrissy Connor – one of the founders and directors of Quarry, Laura Cotter from Invisible Wind Factory and Joel himself, also of the Wind Factory and Make. They have spotted a gap for a big alternative festival in the city and came up with the concept of Outer Waves.
Joel told me: “We’ve all been involved in playing in bands, putting on shows, running venues and generally around in the grassroots Liverpool music scene for a long time. We came together with a real desire to build something bigger than we’ve done before, something sustainable that can not only champion the many Liverpool alternative scenes but also work together to bring cult and international experimental music to the city”.
“We felt there was space for something truly different – a festival that prioritises experimentation, collaboration, and underground creativity. Outer Waves is about celebrating the artists who push boundaries, giving them a platform to connect with audiences in new and unexpected ways. This festival isn’t just another event – it’s about creating a movement that has been missing from Liverpool’s cultural calendar”.
Joel and the team admire and have been inspired by other festivals like Supersonic and Supernormal and previous festivals in Liverpool such as Liverpool Music Week and Psch Fest.
As someone who was once involved in the chaos and stress of setting up a new festival I know how difficult it can be, particularly in the current economic climate. I asked Joel about why the Outer Waves team decided it was worth the risk of setting up a new event at this time.
“Year one was certainly a gamble – we really wanted to create something that could make an impact and become a staple in the city’s musical calendar – we were blown away by the support from local and national press, our communities and the wider alternative scene – and we made it work! This year we have had a lot more time to plan and work with other cultural organisations to bring an even bigger adventurous line up to the city”.
The line up this year includes Waqwaq Kingdom from Japan, Lord Spikeheart from Kenya, HHY & The Kampala Unit from Uganda, Dame Area from Spain and OXN from Ireland alongside some of the team’s favourite local acts – a.P.A.t.T., Rongo Rongo and Luce Mawdsley, all creating a truly rich, multi-genred, boundary pushing event.
Joel is clear on what the festival offers: “People can expect a totally immersive festival, featuring a huge range of incredible artists covering genres from folk to rock to prog to experimental club music and electronica – truly something for every music fan plus art exhibitions, projections, artist talks and workshops”.
Speaking to Joel you definitely get the feeling that the team behind Outer Waves are just at the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey. It is clear they have a huge belief in what they are doing and have the ambition to keep growing and creating another special festival for the city to shout about.
Tickets are available now from outer-waves.co.uk!
Kev McManus
