Paul McCartney in concert (Photo: Paul Bachmann for Live4ever Media)
An eclectic set of artists will be marking the 50th anniversary of The Beatles‘ landmark album Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in Liverpool in May and June.
Performances have been split into two halves to reflect the LP’s Side A and B, with the Mark Morris Dance Group opening up on the title-track and a documentary from writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce and film director Carl Hunter representing the classic closer A Day In The Life. The full details, via the BBC, are below.
A covers album was organised by BBC Radio 2 in 2007 to mark the 40th anniversary, those taking part that year included Oasis, Razorlight and The Zutons.
Side One:
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Mark Morris Dance Group will stage the premiere of Pepperland, with a score inspired by Beatles tracks and performed by a chamber music ensemble
With a Little Help From My Friends – Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller will unveil two public art commissions on the themes of friendship and self-sacrifice
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds – French pyrotechnic specialists GroupeF and US electronic composer Scott Gibbons will put on a light show that’s billed as “part performance, part storytelling and part pyro display”
She’s Leaving Home – Liverpool youth theatre company 20 Stories High will take over people’s living rooms in Toxteth to stage a new play about home and housing
Fixing a Hole – US artist Judy Chicago, known for her epic installations, will create her largest work yet – a mural on the side of the grain silo on Great Howard Street
Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite – Aintree Racecourse will host an event inspired by John Cage’s anarchic Musicircus involving thousands of local people, performers and musicians
Getting Better – DJ Spooky will create a performance and audio-visual installation asking whether the world is getting better
Side Two
Within You Without You – Leading Indian musicians will perform in the traditional splendour of St George’s Hall to reflect The Beatles’ links with India
When I’m Sixty-Four – Sixty-four choirs of all ages from the city will come together to perform a mass sing-along of the track on BBC Radio Merseyside
Lovely Rita – Cabaret performer Meow Meow will lead a colourful procession featuring a 300-strong brass band up Hope Street, ending in a “thought-provoking installation”
Good Morning Good Morning – Theatres, clubs, galleries and music venues will open their doors at the crack of dawn for one day on 9 June
Reprise – An unnamed “leading artist” will perform incognito in a surprise venue, also on 9 June
A Day In The Life – Writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce and film director Carl Hunter will screen a documentary being shot over 24 hours on 1 June, the album’s actual anniversary