THE promise is for "a once in a lifetime concert" celebrating Liverpool's unrivalled popular music heritage, performed for a global television audience against the background of the city skyline.
The floating stage spectacular at Albert Dock, organisers say, "will feature some of the world's greatest artists playing the music the city exported to the world."
Such a talked-up production, although with no names yet signed, must be led by speculation that Paul McCartney will top the bill with the stars of Merseybeat, later Liverpool bands, and visiting artists of the calibre of U2 or Madonna.
Nothing is being ruled out. "Elton John and Bob Dylan have played the Summer Pops, and even Michael Jackson once made it to Aintree for a gig," said one insider.
On the record, the Culture Company announcement enthuses: "This highlight will reverberate around the world with the greatest pop music of our time, from a unique setting that could only be Liverpool."
This is a central platform from which music plans in general will see an expansion of the Mathew Street Festival and the growth of the Summer Pops.
It is even possible that, with the opening of the 9,500-seater Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, at the Kings Dock, Summer Pops 08 (no matter who is the producer by then) could incorporate concerts at both the new venue AND in the big top.
Culture Company music boss Gordon Ross says: "We could grow the Mathew Street Festival right along Victoria Street and as far as St George's Hall, perhaps.
"This year, the Liverpool Philharmonic was involved for the first time. The programme itself could therefore expand to include choirs and world music."
The availability of the ACC Liverpool will expand the entire pop and show potential to a full 12-month potential, just as has happened in Manchester with the MEN arena.
