On Friday 5 July the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the nation’s premier Beatles group The Bootleg Beatles join forces again in a special concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ Blue Album.
Following on from their huge success with ‘And In The End’ in 2021 and ‘Sgt Pepper’ in 2017, the latest collaboration between The Bootleg Beatles and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is a 50th anniversary celebration of the release of The Beatles’ 1967-1970, affectionately known as The Blue Album.
Encompassing the period from Sgt Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour through to Abbey Road and Let It Be, this is an extraordinary chance to witness ‘the concert that never was’, featuring all the classic late period Beatles hits, including ‘All You Need is Love’, ‘Hey Jude’, ‘A Day in the Life’ and ‘Here Comes the Sun’, complete with full-throttle symphonic sound.
This unique production will premiere at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Friday 5 July 7.30pm, before touring to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead on Sunday 7 July and Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Monday 8 July. Tickets for Liverpool go on sale on Friday 2 February at 10am and Friday 16 February for Gateshead and Edinburgh.
The music has been specially arranged for the majesty of a full size orchestra and the (‘magically real’ NME) Bootleg Beatles. The orchestra will be conducted by Richard Balcombe.
Richard Haswell, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Head of Programme (Hall & Events) said: “We’re delighted to be once again reuniting with the Bootleg Beatles to present this phenomenal album in an exciting concert that we’re sure will transport the audience back to 50 years ago when the album was first released. To present this concert in Liverpool and in some of the UK’s most prestigious venues is a real privilege. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Blue Album, highlighting the continued resonance and influence that four lads from Liverpool and their music continue to exert on the world today.”
Neil Harrison of The Bootleg Beatles said: “After the huge success of our previous concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra we’re thrilled to be back together once again bringing the power of the Beatles and of a full live Orchestra to audiences”
Previous press coverage:
★★★★★ The Times, 2017
“the real band would have struggled to fake it as well as this…. it was as exhilarating as that remarkable album itself”
★★★★ The Telegraph, 2019
“less like a tribute than a reincarnation… the involvement of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra was the coup de grâce… a reminder of the sheer joy of music played live”
★★★★★ Liverpool Echo, 2018
“Glorious… I think I’ve still got goosebumps”
★★★★ Arts City Liverpool, 2018
“Ever imagine what it would have been like to see the Beatles backed by a 70-piece symphony orchestra? Pretty damned special actually.”