With Yuletide almost upon us, Getintothis’ Craig MacDonald brings Liverpool’s ultimate festive guide to what’s on this Christmas and New Year.
With the festive season around the corner, it’s time to get ready for the most wonderful time of the year, with a plethora of tinsel-filled events on offer in Liverpool.
But before you despair, you won’t see a Brussels Sprout nor hear the tones of Sir Cliff anytime soon. For we know just what presents you want this year.
So come walk with us through our winter wonderland, as we guide you through all the delights on offer from Christmas to New Year and beyond. Remember to have a listen to our playlist and keep up to date with our Facebook and Twitter, for we may even have a few presents for you to win along the way too!
James
James and The Charlatans: Echo Arena, December 10
There have been few double headers as big as this in recent times, with James and The Charlatans set to play a very special date at the Echo arena.
With nearly three decades of stellar songs between them, there are bound to be sing-alongs a plenty at this one.
The Coral
The Coral: Liverpool Olympia, December 10
Wrapping off a phenomenal year with a huge homecoming date at the Olympia, Hoylake’s finest The Coral return to Liverpool this December.
Following their headline slot at this year’s Sound City, they have gone on to play to seas of fans across festivals throughout Europe and we expect this to be a full house too.
Constellations
Melodic Distraction Winter Party: Constellations, December 10
In a year that has seen them celebrate their first birthday, Melodic Distraction head to Constellations to give those cold Winter nights a much needed dose of adrenaline.
With a lineup that boasts the astral jazz house fusion of Admin and the fledgling talents of Simba, this twelve hour frenzy will keep you moving till dawn.
10 Bands 10 Minutes
10 Bands 10 Minutes: Invisible Wind Factory, December 10
The Kazimier‘s legendary musical royal rumble heads to its new home in the Invisible Wind Factory this month, as 10 Bands 10 Minutes heads North.
With the likes of Spanish Announce Team and Queen Zee & The Sasstones set to play an array of twisted Christmas classics, this is you alternative office Christmas party sorted.
Buyers Club
Buyers Club Christmas Party: Buyers Club, December 10
Its hard to believe that just over a year has gone by since the Buyers Club opened its doors to us all on Hardman Street, with the venue quickly becoming a key player in Liverpool’s music scene.
Their creative heads are set to unveil a special Christmas party like no other, but with their cards firmly close to their chest, you will have to keep an eye out for what’s in store.
Invisible Wind Factory
Kazimier Festive Arkade: Invisible Wind Factory, December 11
You can keep your Shrek and your Lego trains, the only market worth its salt this yuletide heads to the North Docks this month with the Kazimier Festive Arkade opening its doors.
Stalls, mulled wine, live music, choirs and did we mention mulled wine? If you are still feeling like Scrooge after this there is no hope for you.
Minor Victories, photo taken from artists’ Facebook
Minor Victories: The Magnet, December 11
What do you get when you combine Editors, Mogwai and Slowdrive? The answer is Minor Victories, with the super group set to play Liverpool this month.
In one of only a handful of tour dates, their stop at The Magnet should be one for plenty of people’s calendars for December.
Hangar34 in the Baltic Triangle
Martha Reeves and The Vandellas: Hangar 34, December 15
One of the newest venues in town welcomes one of the most iconic names in Motown this month, with Martha Reeves and The Vandellas heading to Hangar 34.
Nestled in the Baltic Triangle’s artistic web, this venue is making sure that it starts as it means to go on with this whopper of a show.
Vic and Bob on Shooting Stars
Reeves and Mortimer: Echo Arena, December 16
Still two of the most original and hilarious names in comedy after a quarter of a century together, Vic and Bob head to the docklands Echo Arena this month.
Having cancelled their previously scheduled date, there will be plenty who will be counting down the days to this one.
Hus – picture from Liverpool Echo
Rock n Roll ChristmHUS: HUS, December 17
The newest kid on the block HUS welcomes our friends at The Music Manual to it’s humble abode this month, for Rock n Roll ChristmHUS.
With SPINN and Eyesore plus a few special guests all playing and a special festive quiz too, this sounds like something St Nic would be proud of.
24 Kitchen Street
Hustle 4th Birthday: 24 Kitchen Street, December 17
Underground pioneers Hustle will be celebrating in more ways then one this month, following the success of their inaugural Disco Fest earlier in the year.
They take to 24 Kitchen Street to celebrate four years in the game with a Liverpool debut from New York house legend Mood II Swing.
Dead Crafty Beer Company – photo from Tripadvisor. com
Quizmas Spectacular: Dead Crafty Beer Company, December 21
If you love a pub quiz, a good drink and helping a good cause, then Quizmas Spectacular at Dead Crafty Beer Company should be right up your street.
Teaming up with Sphinx Quizzes, the night will have a special festive feel to proceedings with enough presents up for grabs that Santa may get jealous.
Abandon Silence
DANCE 4|4 Our Culture: Constellations, December 23
With 2016 not being the best of years for some in the music world, some of Liverpool’s finest promoters from across the dance scene unite to focus on music for the people at Constellations.
Playing anything from disco to techno, Abandon Silence, Coco De Mar, Hustle, Modular, Rubix, Statk and Tribe all come together as one for this one off yuletide giant. A must for all dance fans.
the crowd at Liverpool Disco Festival
Liverpool Disco Festival Boxing Day Special: Constellations, December 26
Following the phenomenal success of the debut Liverpool Disco Festival earlier this year, the funky people are back with a special Boxing Day bash for all you groovers.
With the legendary spinner John Morales being joined by one of the world’s most sought after underground DJs, Sadar Bahar, you know this is going to be good.
Mr Scruff
Mr Scruff: The Merchant, December 26
The electro wizard that is Andrew Carthy AKA Mr Scruff, heads to The Merchant this Boxing Day to help shake off those mince pies.
Serving up a blend of funk, hip hop, jazz and all things in between, no one knows how to get you grooving quite like the eclectic Mancunian.
Craig Charles
The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Boxing Day Special: Camp and Furnace, December 26
Returning home for a festive feast of funk, Craig Charles will bring some of his smoothest friends to the Baltic this month.
Sam Redmore, DJ Cheeba and Disco Freaks all join the local legend for what is bound to be a sell out show this yuletide.
Prince
Prince vs Michael Jackson: Buyers Club, December 26
This year we lost one of the true greats of music in Prince, so what better way to celebrate his life then with a song by song, blow by blow extravaganza pitting him against The King Of Pop.
Whether you’re with The Purple One or The Gloved One, you will not have witnessed a party anything quite like this. If you Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ this Christmas, this is it.
New Bird Street Warehouse
MODU:LAR Boxing Night Beginnings: New Bird Street Warehouse, December 26
In their first festive outing, the dance masters supreme at MODU:LAR head down to the Baltic armed with a sack full of goodies this Boxing Day.
With Rhadoo, Julian Perez, Nerram and Brennan, this will live long in the memories of those who are lucky enough to get to this one.
Hot Since 82 (image from artist Facebook)
Circus Christmas Special: Camp and Furnace and Constellations, December 27
Circus don’t do things be halves and they are pulling out all the stops for their Christmas Special.
Their main event at Camp and Furnace featuring Dubfire, Joseph Capriati, Hot Since 82, Mattias Tanzmann, Yousef, Laura Lo Sung amongst others, the party will cross over to Constellations where Maceo Plex and Joris Voorn plus more will help see you through till sunrise.
Steve Parry
303 NYE Party: Constellations, December 31
With 2016 marking the beginning of 303‘s All Night Long series, not to mention some whopping sets along the way, they are promising to end the year in style.
The innards of Constellations will welcome Dave Seaman, Steve Parry and Barber, while the garden will feature the talents of Nicky Piper, Andy Clarke and Jimmy Allen.
Kazimier Garden
New Years Eve: Kazimier Garden, December 31
Not much is known yet about what delights will greet folks at The Kazimier Garden at the years end, but if previous years are to go by, we can only expect mayhem and glitter in equal doses.
Camp and Furnace
Prom Snow Ball: Camp and Furnace, December 31
After the success of their inaugural Prom event, Camp and Furnace go all out for their Snow Ball with ice sculptures, slush puppies and lots more surprises for the 80s-themed event.
With a finger buffet, spin the bottle, fancy dress and not to mention the crowning of the Prom King and Queen, you’d better don your best threads for this.
The Flimflam Jam-Slam New Years Dithyramb: Baltic Social, December 31
What better way to herald the dawn of the New Year then with old friends while making new ones?
That’s certainly the aim of The Flimflam Jam Slam at the Baltic Social, with a tombola style spontaneous jam session uniting would be musical soulmates together.
Dan Shake (Image: Marc Sethi)
Dan Shake: Buyers Club, December 31
The club heads at Abandon Silence are looking to end their year in true style, with the announcement of the legendary Dan Shake set to hit the tables of the Buyers Club.
Having stunned crowds across the land this year, the Mahogani Music member will have resident Abandon favs Andrew Hill, Harry Sheehan and Tom Lye on the bill too.
Escape to Planet Kronos
Caves of Kronia – The Final Epoch: Invisible Wind Factory, December 31
On new Years Eve, a rare gateway will open into the fabric of the universe, with the fabled city of Kronia being linked to the Invisible Wind Factory.
If you dare to be part of the brave exploration team that will venture into this groundbreaking event, then you had better act fast.
Circus’ Yousef
Circus NYE: Arts Club, December 31
In what is surprisingly their first ever New Years Eve party, Circus return back to their spiritual home for one night only.
Making sure they set the tone right for their homecoming, Mr Circus himself Yousef will play a five hour set in what is surely going to be a sell-out show.
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