Kayleigh Cantrell begins the countdown to Christmas with a look at some of the region’s musical characters, venues and institutions.
Day 1 – Zara Smile
Zara Smile is a local artist in Liverpool. Originally from London, the 20-year old uses their music which is full of honest, vulnerable lyrics and catchy melodies to create a safe space for those of the LGBTQ community and those who battle racism every day.
Zara is focused on speaking about their experiences as a “queer person of colour”.
Every Zara gig I’ve been too – everyone has loved it!!! From tears to dancing, they provide a rollercoaster of emotions in just one night.
Their music speaks and gives clear messages, and if you give it a listen you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Day 2 – Boot Music
Boot Music is a Liverpool-based music blog and print magazine.
It is run by many contributors, including myself, but it was founded by the incredible James Booton and it presents the talent of the North-West via reviews, interviews, backgrounders, live events and so much more.
The idea of having a print magazine, when we live in the dying times of hard-copy outlets, is hard-work and requires extreme dedication. That deserves a praise of its own.
Day 3 – The Jacaranda
The Jacaranda is a 60-year-old venue that has been on a mission to offer stages to new artists, open mic-nights and live events.
Since opening in 1958, The Jacaranda has played a key part in the Liverpool music scene, and now more than ever.
It’s keeping the talent and energy of the city alive & it gives artists an opportunity to grow and thrive.
I truly believe it’s a special starting point in many musicians career. It’s a venue to build upon confidence, gain a connection with your audience and grow towards bigger venues.
Day 4 – Neil Noa
Neil Noa is a rising indie/alt musician from Liverpool and he released his debut single this year. He has sold out numerous shows and grafted hard at his talent for quite some time.
This year Neil has released 3 singles, supported The Lathums (TWICE!) and sold out his own headliners.
Not only has he had incredible solo achievements, but he also ensured other musicians in the city are supported too.
Whether it’s producing music or being at the gigs, it’s really stood out how much he cares for the music of Liverpool and everyone who plays a part.
You can catch Neil live at the Cavern Club on December 13, 2023.
Day 5 – The Narrative
The Narrative is a monthly ‘in the round’ style songwriter showcase and networking night in Liverpool.
It’s an inclusive event for songwriters to perform, listen to others, and to network with like-minded creatives.
The Narrative nights began on the November 7 and received a positive response.
It’s an event where songwriters can showcase their craft, tell their stories and experiences, and test out new music in the waters.
The Narrative was created by Rheana Forrester who wanted to create an ‘in the round’ style event to create an intimate, collaborative atmosphere.
Day 6 – The Kairos
The Kairos have had an incredible year and their talent has shone through more than ever. With huge sold-out headlines, festivals, an EP, and a UK tou, they have a lot to celebrate.
They kicked off their year by releasing their EP, ‘Better Late Than Never’, which has received an overwhelming response.
They followed on with the festival circuit, where the lads made history as they were the first to perform each night at the Isle of Wight festival.
In September, they released a new single ‘Suspend’ which has over 20,000 streams and has been heard playing all over the UK including inside football stadiums.
They’ve concluded the final run of the year with their own UK tour where they sold out a lot of their shows.
Mersey Music 