THE largest free annual music event in Europe kicks off in Liverpool tonight.
This year's Mathew Street Festival is expected to be the biggest and best yet, with 75 bands performing on five stages across the city and free live music in more than 40 indoor venues throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.
Organisers, the Liverpool Culture Company, expect the four day event to attract in the region of 300,000 visitors.
This year, the Beatles-inspired festival has a strong Liverpool theme, showcasing home-grown talent, from the famous to the unsigned, to celebrate the 2006 Capital of Culture themed year - Liverpool Performs.
For the first time, the music begins on Friday with The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's first Mathew Street concert at 7.30pm on the Pier Head. Pop legends The Lightning Seeds are headlining the festival on Sunday with a special one-hour greatest hits gig - their first
Liverpool appearance since the millennium.
Also throughout the weekend there will be a dedicated new band stage at the Pier Head featuring 31 new or unsigned Liverpool bands.
Cllr Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "This year's festival line-up is the strongest we've ever had. There's a fine blend of legends and unsigned bands and with musicians from Africa to Argentina - the variety for fans is fantastic.
"The addition of the RLPO on Friday is a major boost and a signpost for how we want to widen the festival's appeal as we build up to 2008. I'm sure by Tuesday the city will be partied out with memories of some outstanding performances."
