The News

This month is Liverpool Acoustic Live's first birthday. It takes place on Friday 26th February 2010 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

This very special birthday bash features the return of Stephen Langstaff. Since playing at the very first Liverpool Acoustic Live last year Stephen has gone on to become the first unsigned act ever to headline at the Liverpool 02 Academy main stage. This was followed by a support slot for The Lightning Seeds at The Phil, and a support slot for Deacon Blue at Liverpool Arena! However, Stephen hasn't forgotten his unplugged roots and is looking forward to debuting a number of brand new songs in a rare solo acoustic outing.

Read more: Liverpool Acoustic Live - Friday 26th February 2010

Liverpool Sound City have announced the first two headline acts to play in this year’s music festival. The girls lead the way with stunning vocalist Paloma Faith and Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle visiting the city.

Also confirmed is musical legend Seymour Stein as the first of the keynote speakers, plus Wave Machines, Hook & the Twin, Grosvenor and Gold Panda joining the line up. They are all taking part in what has quickly become one of the top music festivals in the World today.

‘Close Up’ at the greenroom, Manchester is an opportunity to get up close and personal with musicians, poets, artists and actors discussing their life and work in-conversation with DJ/writer Dave Haslam.

The first two events feature Kevin Rowland (Dexy’s Midnight Runners) and Mark E Smith (The Fall), two iconic frontmen with cult followings and uncompromised opinions.

Read more: Dave Haslam - Close Up with Mark E Smith

Next month the Storey Institute launches Lancaster's own series of TED Talks.

The topic will be ‘Creativity in Education’ and will feature Sir Ken Robinson and Elizabeth Gilbert.

TED -Technology, Entertainment, Design talks started from an annual conference in 1984 but since then, have proliferated across the globe.

Read more: TEDx comes to Lancaster