A 12-HOUR gig has been organised to coincide with the Mathew Street Festival - but there's a guarantee that it will be a Beatles-free zone.
Liverpool based record label, Vivana Records is holding the event Marathon of Music which is to be staged at Hev'n & Hell, Fleet Street, on Bank Holiday Monday August 30.
Twelve bands will be competing in a Battle of the Bands upstairs in Hell with 12 acoustic artists playing downstairs in Hev'n. Doors open at 2pm with the battle commencing at 2.30pm. Doors will shut late at 2am.
Hugh Sheridan, chairman of Vivana Records says: "We respect what the 1960s Merseybeat music scene achieved but at the same time the city will be heaving with music lovers and we want to show them that there is a flood of young Liverpool based bands and musicians both young and hungry for success.
"We have organised 12 hours of modern Liverpool music where there won't be a Beatles cover in sight. The 40-year-old Merseybeat scene can only offer this city limited value - we have to stop looking back and try and promote new talent. I am confident that there are bands that exist in Liverpool today that can achieve what the Beatles achieved, with the right backing."
There are a number of high profile judges being lined up to judge the Battle of the Bands with £1, taken from the £3.50 door price, being donated to the Prize fund that will be awarded at the end of the night. There will be a "come and go" policy on the door with hands being stamped on entry.
There will also be an "Open Mic" policy operating downstairs in Hev'n. Organised by Joel Morton, it gives acoustic artists the opportunity to play and demonstrate their talents on such an important weekend for Liverpool music.
Acoustic artists playing throughout the day include, Joel Morton, Mojopin, Lizzie Nunnery, Joe Keelan, Pete Smith and Marti Lappin as well as many others.
Bands competing in Battle of the Bands include Wake, Kicksaw Pep, Barfinkle, Diesel Fitters and The Compulsives as well as many others to be confirmed.
* BATTLE of the Bands, August 30, at Hev'n & Hell, Fleet Street, from 2pm.
