A wealth of choice at the Phil Hall

Jan 9 2009 by Mark Smith, Chester Chronicle

SAHARAN desert blues and comic capers from a Mock the Week star are just two highlights of the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’s New Year listings.

Shows pencilled in at the venue include concerts from Jackson Browne (March 28), disco diva, Candi Staton (February 20) and David Byrne (April 3), who will be performing songs from the Byrne and Eno era.

Paco Pena’s flamenco-choral commission Requiem for the Earth starts Liverpool’s official Year of the Environment on February 27.

The show features guitarists, percussionists, a flamenco dancer and the Sense of Sound Choir.

Other world music shows include the annual African Soul Rebels tour featuring Baaba Maal (March 4); Buena Vista Social Club Presents Eliades Ochoa (March 5); and making a return, the Saharan desert blues of Tinariwen (March 22).

The After 8 series of unplugged shows in the Phil’s smaller venue, the Rodewald Suite, includes Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls of The Wonder Stuff (January 31), Tea Hodzic (March 19) and Huw Warren (March 20).

Russell Watson will make a return to the Philharmonic Hall’s stage (March 30), and the hall will also be a venue for the 2009 Liverpool Comedy Festival, with shows from Rob Brydon (April 28) and Mock the Week’s Andy Parsons (May 7).

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s highlights begin with a Gershwin-inspired programme, Rhapsody (February 4), and With Love From Vasily on Valentine’s Day.

Tickets can be booked on 0151 709 3789 or order online at www.liverpoolphil.com