Knowsley: Music festival returns for borough's 50th birthday

An eclectic 17-day music festival will be part of a borough's 50th birthday celebrations.

Knowsley Council is staging a year-long programme of events, including art, theatre, comedy, dance, food and sport to mark half a century as an official metropolitan borough.

Knowsley Music Festival opens with a performance from Liverpool's Pete Wylie and The Mighty Wah! on Friday at the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot.

The event will see an array of musical talent take over venues across Huyton, Prescot, Kirkby and Roby and will also feature the Knowsley Fringe Music Festival to showcase local talent.

Other headliners include rock band Deaf School, who are playing at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park on 16 November, and China Crisis, who will be performing at St Chad's Church in Kirkby on 21 November.

In addition to the main music festival line up, the Knowsley Fringe Music Festival also returns with a series of original music and tribute live shows spanning multiple musical genres including Motown, soul and R&B.

There are 26 artists and groups performing at 15 venues in pubs, bars, church halls and community spaces throughout the festival, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Shelley Powell, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: "The Fringe Music Festival offers talented local artists the opportunity to showcase their skills and gives local audiences a chance to experience brilliant musical performances on their doorstep.

"We're delighted to once again be hosting this event to bring unforgettable music to our communities."