On The Waterfront

On The Waterfront is a four-day open air festival on Pier Head. It kickstarts the summer festival season in Liverpool, with the 2004 music party taking place from Thursday 20 June to Sunday 23 June.

It’s a popular festival in a stunning location – the River Mersey and the Three Graces are quite the backdrop – and 2023 sold out so make sure you get your tickets sooner rather than later.

This year, for the first time, the festival has organised a mix of comedy and music with comic Paul Smith headlining on Thursday night. The resident compere of Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club has just finished a series of sellout arena shows so catch him at On The Waterfront while you can. He’ll be joined by a roster of Hot Water Club regulars like Jo Jo Sutherland and Mick Ferry.

Friday is the britpop disco day with sets from 90s indie acts Ocean Colour Scene, Cast, Embrace and Republica. Noughties Scottish rockers The View complete the line-up alongside fast-rising Liverpool bands The Sway and Keyside.

Saturday is devoted to dance music with a headline set from Ben Hemsley as well as special guest and techno supremo blk. Other names on a particularly banging bill include Denis Sulta, Billy Gillies and Ammara.

The festival closes on Sunday 23 June with Deacon Blue. Other bands gracing the stage on the final day are Lottery Winners, Rianne Downey and The Cheap Thrills.