MERSEYSIDE'S musical traditions are as famous as it maritime ones. From the dank cellar of the Cavern, the chaotic cool of Eric's and techno-heaven that was Cream, Liverpool rules the airwaves.
The decline that hit after WWII was countered with the thriving music scene. No matter how hard things were, spirits could always be bolstered by the Merseybeat sound. The hub of the scene was an old warehouse cellar, converted into a jazz club - The Cavern Club.
Many bands made their names there: Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Searchers to name two, but one in particular stands out. The Beatles played their debut in 1961 and appeared another 272 times. Their manager, Brian Epstein - who also discovered Cilla Black there - led the fab four on to conquer the world.
Erics was THE place to be seen between 1976-80. A Mecca for the more alternative talent in the city, it was arguably the best live music venue in the North West.
Be it a matinee, midweek or weekend gig, you were sure of a fantastic - if anarchic - time. It's short but illustrious reign saw top local bands such as: Deaf School, Echo and The Bunnymen, Elvis Costello, Wah! and The Teardrop Explodes, as well as visiting bands like Joy Division, Boomtown Rats, Iggy Pop, Madness and The Clash.
In the 90s, clubbing became the new rock'n'roll and Liverpool was home to arguably the best nightclub in the country if not the whole of Europe. Cream blew the roof off the city with a mix of high energy dance mixes and superstar DJs. Although business trends have caused the main club nights to stop, it's Nation nights and Creamfields festival are as popular as ever.
With literally dozens of live music venues in the city centre - not forgetting the famous Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the oldest orchestra in Britain and also one of the best in the world - Liverpool's music scene still prospers. Success in the charts as well as a thriving alternative scene can be seen in local talent such as Space, The Coral, Melanie C and Trilby to name a few.
