The best of 2024: 46 things you need to do this year
All killer, no filler
By David Lloyd and Abi Whistance
We don’t know about you, but the sight of croci spiking the earth in our parks fills us with far more joy than another story about Signature Living’s implosion. So we’re turning our heads jubilantly towards the sun, because we know we have better days to come. A whole year of them, in fact.
After the huge success of Eurovision last year, one thing’s for sure: we’re desperate for shared experiences. Little moments of joy and connection. And if this city knows one thing above all else, it’s how to bring us all together.
So we’re celebrating the stuff that makes us dead happy to be here, and really excited for the year ahead. The best bit? This is really just the tip of the iceberg.
Editor’s note: Some of the items in this article have a TBC date. Don’t worry — we’ll be revisiting this piece on a regular basis to add in any confirmed dates or acts.
The best of 2024: 46 things you need to do this year
Nadine Shah at the Jacaranda — 28 February
Okay, so this is a feel-good list, but we do have to admit that Shah's music is confessional and deeply personal (part of the fifth album she's releasing covers nursing her mum through terminal cancer and attempting to take her own life — it's not exactly they-didn't-call-me-back bubblegum pop). But Shah is a remarkable artist — this will be a performance you'll be talking about for a while. Catch her at their Slater Street venue on 28th February for a performance of her new album, Filthy Underneath.
Look Climate Lab Open Eye Gallery — until 31 March
Like a woman in a 90s rom-com with perfect features obscured behind thick spectacles, Open Eye Gallery in Mann Island has been treated to a makeover as part of a new exhibition, Look Climate Lab. For the next two months, the gallery will resemble a lab space to explore the effects of climate change, with workshops, poetry readings and film showings all happening within its four walls.
Rough Trade Records, Hanover Street — March
Vinyl is dead! Long live MP3s, said nobody ever. We genuinely cannot wait for the arrival of Rough Trade Records’ huge new Liverpool store in March. Its largest store to date, Rough Trade will celebrate vinyl, of course, but it’ll sell merch and stage live events too.
Jeff Young releases Wild Twin — TBC
One of Liverpool’s most talented authors releases the follow up to his memoir Ghost Town this year. Titled Wild Twin, publisher Little Toller has described it as an “Orwellian travel book” that explores Jeff's early adulthood hitch-hiking to Paris in the 1970s. Colour us intrigued. You can also read Sophie’s brilliant interview with Jeff here if you missed it.
Everything Everything at Jacaranda Baltic — 4 March
Yeah, sure: Everything Everything's heyday was the mid 00s, but why do all good things have to come to an end? We want bleepy art pop. We want male musicians with precise, possibly £200 haircuts. As such, there is only one place we will be on 4th March — Jacaranda’s new Baltic venue to hear their upcoming album Mountainhead.
The Blow Monkeys at Hangar 34 — 13 March
More musical nostalgia, if you're so minded. Ready your shoulder pads, dust off the blue eyeliner. Pop band The Blow Monkeys take to Hangar 34 on 13th March, and while Dr Robert’s quiff may no longer reach the heights it once did in the ’80s, this one is still a Do Not Miss.
Island Explorer with Wirral Forest Wellbeing CIC — 31 March
This relaxed (and guided) walk out to Hilbre Island in the Dee estuary gives you a chance to take in the gorgeous sights across the Wirral, and get a good look at the wildlife (including some rather adorable seals).
Our top picks for the Philharmonic — 2024
It’d be impossible to choose just one performance at the Philharmonic this year, but since the appointment of a face that has adorned a thousand posters, conductor Domingo Hindoyan in 2020, we can safely say the classics won’t let you down.
On 29th February, Hindoyan himself leads a gorgeous rendition of Symphony No 7.
But, if pop and jazz is more your thing, winner of the 2023 Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition N'famady Kouyaté brings his West African blends to the stage on 23rd March.
Of course, the Philharmonic is nothing if not versatile. Our top pick outside of the musical hall of fame is Professor Brian Cox, who is set to deliver a talk about the inner workings of our solar system on 2nd March.
Utility, Jamaica Street, Baltic Triangle — Spring TBC
Too cool for Liverpool ONE, Utility’s new flagship store is set for its Baltic debut, surely its natural stomping ground. Personally, we can never have enough Rhodia notebooks and lovely pens. You might go for the jewels, the homewares and the sass of Utility’s always-on-it buying team.
You get a car (everyone gets a car) at RIBA North — until 14 July
As the Tate embarks on its £30m refurbishment, RIBA North in Mann Island hosts a new exhibition by RESOLVE Collective, titled You get a car (everyone gets a car). RESOLVE has been working with communities across the city to help fairly distribute the Tate’s artwork during the refurb, and the exhibition includes a mix of interactive installations and films about the collective’s outreach work.
The Bank, Victoria Street, New Brighton — Spring
With the force of nature that is Jayne Casey curating, this could be Dan Davies’ masterstroke in his mission to bring Newbo kicking and screaming back to life. Relaxed café space by day, ultra-sleek salon by night. “We’ll play the sort of music that’ll make sure only the coolest people want to come,” Casey tells us. We might live there.
Daniel Efram at Future Yard — 15 March
A venue that we think doesn’t get enough love, Future Yard in Birkenhead, has some fantastic gigs and events lined up over the next year that we want to shout from the rooftops about. But don’t just trust us — their events officer Charlie Craig gave us the thumbs up for our top picks too.
On March 15th, NYC producer Daniel Efram heads to the Wirral to reminisce on the fabled ’90s record label, Elephant 6. For those unacquainted with their work, the collective was home to bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, The Olivia Tremor Control and Apples in Stereo at the time. The event includes a talk, film viewing, and a performance from The KLOF Collective.
Forage and Cook on the Wirral — 30 March
Totally Wild UK hosts a foraging event in Wirral Country Park, inviting budding foragers to pick their own herbs and mushrooms in a six-hour experience, before serving up a plate of your most delicious findings. The Wirral is a bounty of natural resources, and we can’t wait to give this one a try.
A Sunday afternoon at the Bombed Out Church — 2024
The Bombed Out Church is a great way to spend a Sunday — their record fairs have been bountiful for Abi, who recently stumbled across a rather nice copy of Cud’s Purple Love Balloon there. If you haven’t been to one yet though, 31st March is your next shot.
If record collecting isn’t your thing, the Makers Market is also a real treat. It’s free to attend and takes place monthly, selling a host of bakes and trinkets for your perusal. Happy spring!
Boys from the Blackstuff at the Royal Court — 19 April-11 May
One of our top picks for theatre this year. If you haven’t yet seen the incredible revision of Boys from the Blackstuff by James Graham, here’s our advice — do so immediately. The show runs from 19th April to 11th May at the Royal Court, and chronicles the lives of five men working in 1980s Liverpool, battling to stay afloat. Last year, Melissa Blease went to review that show for us – read her take here.
Liverpool Restaurant Week — 22-28 April
The stingy bastards over at Michelin might not know it yet, but Liverpool is an untapped culinary goldmine. Explore the city, plate by plate, as Liverpool Restaurant Week showcases the city’s new-found culinary swagger. There are so many great places opening right now – this is a brilliant way to find your faves.
The Zutons release The Big Decider — 26 April
Often spotted guitars-in-hand, strolling around the Baltic, The Zutons have long been a point of pride for Liverpool. So we’re overjoyed to hear they’re dropping their first new album in nearly 15 years in 2024 — titled The Big Decider. Keep an ear out for that and grab a ticket to their album launch at Jacaranda Baltic on 30th April.
Bees: A Story of Survival — 4-5 May
One that you’ll most certainly catch Dave at this spring. Bees: A Story of Survival is an immersive exhibition at the World Museum in partnership with award-winning sculptor, Wolfgang Buttress. Expect the recreation of hive life through sounds and lights, and learn the vital role the tiny creatures play in our environment. In other words: Save the bees!
Velázquez in Liverpool — 10 May-26 August
Artist Diego Velazquez’s only surviving female nude portrait will be shown at the Walker Art Gallery this summer, and the way in which it’s displayed holds something rather special. While remaining the centrepiece of the exhibition, Velazquez’s work will be shown alongside contemporary art by women and non-binary artists already in the gallery’s collection.
The return of the Euroclub at Camp and Furnace — 7-11 May
Anyone still clinging desperately to the heady days of May 2023 (we’re picturing you still solemnly applying a glittery eyeliner and slipping into a sequined costume every morning before work) will at least have May 2024 — and the return of Euroclub — to look forward to. Euroclub will once again be hosting screening parties for both of Eurovision’s semi-finals in May, as well as the Grand Final. Word on the street is there may be a Eurovision-sized afterparty scheduled for the 11th at Camp and Furnace — let’s keep our ears to the ground for that one.
Wirral Family Festival — 11 May
A family friendly affair at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park ground this spring. The lineup boasts ten bands — including Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys and Beautiful South tributes — and a Disney-themed kids stage with dance and talent shows.
An Evening with The Vivienne — 18 May
The winner of the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (and a Liverpool legend in her own right), The Vivienne stops at St George’s Hall on the first leg of her UK tour this spring.
A Summer Evening Cruise on Mersey Ferries — May-October
As the warmer weather comes around, we can’t wait to kick back on one of the summer evening cruises on the Mersey Ferries. Tickets run from May to October, with live music, DJs and gorgeous views of the Waterfront to soak in. See you on the Gimme Gimme Gimme cruise!
Splash Tours Liverpool — Spring
Possibly one of most exciting announcements of the year on our end — the return of amphibian crafts, patrolling our docks, on land and off. Any former Yellow Duckmarine staff fearing a PTSD attack please be assured: this is a new venture. The 60-minute tour will begin at Royal Albert Dock taking in Liverpool's most iconic landmarks.
Martin’s Bank Restaurant, Water Street — Spring 2024
Keep your eyes peeled on Water Street’s Martin’s Bank. Its sumptuous interior will open again this spring, as developers Kinrise transform the marbled banking hall into what will surely be one of the city’s most appetising restaurant spaces. Rumours of it being run by Bazooka Chicken are unconfirmed at time of press.
Bordeaux Wine Festival at Pier Head — 25-28 May
Tasting sessions, food from the Art School’s Paul Askew, and lots of chances to find your new favourite for the day (and it will come) when that bottle of Hardys Stamp Shiraz just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Gaia in Birkenhead Park — 27 May-2 June
The perfect centrepiece for Wirral’s Borough of Culture year, Birkenhead Park welcomes the floating Earth sculpture over the May half term holidays, around which will orbit a week of family fun, street food and live acts.
Baltic Weekender — 31 May-1 June
House, techno, grime and dirty bass everywhere — but especially at 24 Kitchen Street. A weekend of the best in all things house. Our advice? Take Monday off. And possibly Tuesday too.
Box Park, Cains Brewery Village — Spring/Summer 2024
Hot-footing it from Shoreditch, via Croydon, Boxpark Liverpool is the first northern outing for this industry-disrupting take on food, drink and fun. Boxpark promises street food, drinks and parties at its Cains Brewery Village home. It’s set to open late spring/early summer.
Snailmania at Future Yard — 14-15 June
Are we all excited about the return of Snailmania? We see the puzzled looks through the screen — but it's nothing to do with snails, it’s wrestling. So, molluscophiles, walk. Future Yard will host a mix of live music, wrestling and inflatables. Sounds chaotic? We promise it is.
Summer Solstice at Princes Park — 21 June
Squash Nutrition is hosting a summer solstice celebration, beginning with breakfast at dawn and yoga, followed by wild food walks, live music and cooking activities. The solstice has marked a day of music, dance, and gatherings to watch the rising of the sun since ancient times — why stop now?
Coco Baroque, Smithdown Road — TBC
God bless you Dafna, we still pine for your otherworldly cheesecakes. But our grief has been softened, somewhat, by the imminent arrival of Coco Baroque, seriously ace bakers and chocolatiers, who are — as we speak — stocking the shelves with their divine creations.
Africa Oye at Sefton Park — 22-23 June
Sun, beats, good times. Repeat. Is there anything else we need to say about the phenomenon that is Africa Oye? Oh, maybe amazing food, great fun for kids, and possibly your first tentative steps to busting out some Afro moves in the dance classes.
Judge Jules at Fort Perch Rock — 1 July
Judge Jules, British dance music DJ and former entertainment lawyer (step aside, Brooklyn Beckham) takes to Fort Perch Rock this summer for a late-night party filled with house music classics.
Sisters of Mersey at the Royal Court — 5 July
Jonathan Harvey’s Sisters of Mersey — a story of two nuns from Dingle that will have you howling in your seats. Catch it again, at the beloved Royal Court.
The War on Drugs at Liverpool University Mountford Hall — 9 July
We know you’re all desperate to find out what’s blasting from Dave’s stereo as he’s frantically chasing impending deadlines, so your wish is our command. Dave’s music pick for the year is American rock band The War on Drugs, who will be at Liverpool’s Student Union in July.
Go for a dip on Princes Dock — 2024
Long time post readers might remember when Abi braved the plunge and went for a swim in Princes Dock along with the team at Swim Liverpool. While some far more dedicated than us have been taking to the waters all winter, we think this summer is the perfect opportunity to try your hand at wild swimming. Need convincing? Abi’s piece here might just do the trick.
Arab Arts Festival — 12-21 July
Liverpool’s Arab Arts Festival returns for 10 days in July. As part of the festival, Port Cities is a new international visual arts project, is showing before travelling to Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
David Bowie World Fan Convention — 26-28 July
Dazzle at the Bowie Ball, haggle at the Bowie Swap Shop, and listen to all of Bowie’s mates talk about how cool he was at the Bowie World Fan Convention. Expect shows, rare treats and lots of Rebel, Rebel magic. The theme? The Year of the Diamond Dogs.
Great Streets Festivals — TBC
This summer, celebrations of some of the liveliest of city streets return with Celebrate Bold Street and Celebrate Castle Street. Expect food, drink, merriment and music throughout August. More information to come – keep an eye on Liverpool BID’s website.
Taste Liverpool — 16-29 September
A brand new festival for the autumn, Taste Liverpool promises to celebrate the city region’s gastronomic leaders. Expect chef masterclasses, street food, special tasting events and much more.
River of Light — 25 October-3 November
The River of Light returns this winter to illuminate Liverpool and Wirral’s Waterfront this year, with free art displays and exhibitions from local, national and international artists for a week. The 2023 gallery is available here, and is well worth a look to bring some light into your day.
Liverpool Film Festival — December
Fast becoming one of the country’s brightest displays of indie film greatness, the LIVIFF is back to add some sparkle to our winter evenings. Head to Fact for the programme nearer the time.
Anything we’ve missed? Something you’d rather saw off your left leg than not be at? Let us know any urgent omissions below — and see you soon at one of the above events…
These are the sort of things that make The Post standout.
Ever since I moved to Liverpool back in 2011ish, I always struggled to find definitive lists of things to do. Sure there’s the usual tourist stuff and the Guide etc, plus the Echo Whats On page has sadly got progressively worse, but THIS sort of list is what I’ve been after. I’ll be sure to plan in some events in my diary
“Croci”?? Does that go with hippopotami, octopi, campi…? Just because a word ends in -us doesn’t mean that the plural ends in -i, especially if it’s a word with a Greek origin. The word is “crocuses”.
Other than that, it’s lovely to see such a list of things to enjoy on Merseyside this year! 😄