entrance to New Bird Street audience Entrance ot New Picket Jordan Street

 

The Picket reopened in Liverpool's Independent Cultural District

61 Jordan Street,
Liverpool, L1 OBW
Tel: 0151 708 6789.

on Saturday 27th May, 2006

See Phil's message HERE

BBC report HERE

Paul Terence Madden's photos HERE

Comment on the event HERE

How to find the New Picket.

Landmark: Look for Cains Brewery, (formerly Higsons- on Parliament Street) close to the River Mersey. Approaching the River, turn right at the traffic lights onto Jamaica Street, and then second left into New Bird Street, the entrance to the venue is located on New Bird Street.

Directions from Lime Street Station: HERE

For a 'virtual' tour of the Picket in Liverpool's Independent District please go to www.loveliverpool.com

For more photos of the event go to paultrerencemadden.com and http://www.myspace.com/whatawaytoenditall

 

Legendary Liverpool Art School band 'Deaf School' appeared live at the formal opening

CB's at the Picket 27/05/06

Support was from brand new local band The CB'S and DJ Stormin' Normin.

Backstage at the Picket


Left to Right
Phil Hayes, Louise Ellman MP, Robyn Archer, Artistic Director, Liverpool Culture Company, Jayne Casey - Love Culture, Cllr. Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council.

Cutting the ribbon

 Cutting the ribbon
DS backstage with Suggs

Deaf School backstage with Suggs

Deaf School
CB's on the Big Screen

CBs on the Big Screen

"Great to see that the Picket is back on the Liverpool scene. It deserves your love and support whether you are in the corridors of power or just walking in the door with a guitar in your hand. Support the Picket and party like it's 2008".

Elvis Costello aka Declan McManus, 20th April, 2006.

Entrance from New Bird Street Interior of New Picket
Entrance to new venue from New Bird Streeet Audience arrives
Speeches: Robyn Archer Speeches
New Bird Street New Bird Street 

What Happened

The Guardian national newspaper devoted its back page to an article on the Picket campaign on 22nd March 2004

 Back page of Guardian 22 March 04

What the Picket achieved

 
  • a community access recording studio established in 1986, with the assistance of Pete Townshend and many others in the music industry. The facility is now known, as a mark of respect and gratitude to Pete, as the Pinball Wizard studio.
  • the Picket Music Venue. Many Liverpool bands performed their first gigs at the venue including The La's, Space, Cast, Shack, the Bandits and The Coral. Internationally renowned artists that have performed at the venue include Travis, Billy Bragg, Baaba Maal, Thomas Mapfumo and Neil Finn.
  • the Liverpool Now annual music festival established in 1994, to promote up and coming bands and Liverpool's music venues.
  • the Dry Bar events for local bands and artistes who are under 18.
 

The events that led to relocation

 

The Council of Management of the Peoples Centre decided formally at its meeting on 22nd October 2003 to 'realise its assets'- i.e. sell its Hardman Street building.

See two ic Liverpool reports HERE and HERE
See a BBC report HERE

The Picket had existed for 20 years, putting on gigs for local bands, providing recording facilities and advice for new bands, and benefit concerts for a wide range of community organisations:

  • See the interview from Move Out magazine and the comments from visitors to this site.
  • Our list of milestones highlights some of the gigs, events and developments that have taken place at the venue over the last two decades.
  • We have a set of photo galleries showing key events.

The decision to sell the Hardman Street building threatened the loss to the people of Liverpool and beyond, of the following:

  • A professional music venue for new and established bands
  • A professional recording studio-'Pinball Wizard'
  • 'Dry Bar' gigs, for under 18's
  • The Liverpool Now annual music festival
  • 20 years of music industry experience.
  • An 'open door' advice service for musicians, bands and the local community
  • Dedicated and professional staff, genuinely committed to the City and people of Liverpool.

Many people in all walks of life were outraged and concerned about this decision and its possible consequences. See the messages from across the U.K. and from as far away as Japan, North America and Australia in our guestbook.

Support for the Picket included the following:

  • FIVE Save the Picket gigs- local bands.
  • MEDIA- the Guardian, the Echo, BBC TV and Radio.
  • CELEBS- from the industry, financial donations.
  • POLITICIANS- Louise Ellman MP raised the issue in the House of Commons debate on Liverpool Capital of Culture. Mike Storey on BBC Radio Merseyside. Department of Culture Media and Sport recognised the value of the Pickets work in statements to the general public.
  • LIVERPOOL PEOPLE- Financial donations for the Ents licence, practical help.
  • ARTS ORGANISATIONS- A wide variety of Arts and Music industry organisations supported our campaign.
 

 

The Picket Ltd,
20 Oakbank Road,
Liverpool, L18 1HS.
Email philiphayesmusic@hotmail.co.uk

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