OLYMPIA LIVE LOUNGE
The Olympia is one of Liverpool’s finest live music venues and one of my all-time favourite places to see a gig. I can hear a few of you moaning that it isn’t in the city centre, but my response would be: you can walk, you lazy get, or get a bus or a short taxi ride.
It is a magnificent building dating from 1905 and, over the years, has been an indoor circus (there is still an elephant pit in the basement), a cinema, a bingo hall and even a film set. Owner Chris Zorba and the team have done a magnificent job of bringing the old theatre back to life, and the atmosphere during a live music gig is second to none.
Of course, the Olympia regularly hosts major national and international artists, but there is always something special about the nights when local acts headline. Jamie Webster, Red Rum Club, Cheap Thrills and, most recently, Loathe have all enjoyed memorable hometown shows there.
Until now, however, only local artists who had already ‘made it’ and built a sizeable following have been able to headline the Olympia.
Keen to do more to support Liverpool’s emerging music scene, the team came up with the idea of creating a smaller performance space better suited to artists making their way in the industry. These intimate gigs, as every artist and grassroots venue knows, are invaluable in helping musicians develop their craft while building an audience.
With this in mind, the Olympia has established regular Lounge Sessions in its tastefully refurbished lounge area.
On 31st July, the line-up features Lucy Starr, Emily Baron and Red Coven. Then, on 25th September, you can enjoy another brilliant evening with Pale Strangers, The Mystics, Clockwork Animals and Neven.
We are fortunate to have so many excellent grassroots venues across the city, and we need to support nights like these. They provide emerging artists with the small, welcoming platforms they need in the early stages of their careers and help ensure Liverpool’s music scene continues to thrive.
