Admittedly most people are biased when it comes to the city they live in, or at least, they should be. However, some cities have more to be proud of than others. Liverpool, these days, has much to puff its chest over. The city has recently been named European Capital of Culture 2008, beating several other British towns (including Newcastle and Birmingham) to the title. A few newscasters, who won’t be named (but it should be noted that they were southerners), spoke with amazement over the turn of events. Frankly, I am appalled by this attitude. Everyone who is in the know knows that Liverpool is the place to be.
Sure it fell on hard times in the 80s and 90s, but things in Liverpool are on a decidedly upwards swing. Maybe it’s because the city never forgot the heady days of the 1960s when it was THE place to be, but the news on the street is clear that those glory days were simply a taster of what was to come. The best hasn’t been heard yet from Liverpool, and I predict that come 2008 Liverpool’s good name will not only redeemed but will surpass itself.
In the meantime, here is a brief and not exhausted list of some of my favorite things about Liverpool.
- Musician boys by the fistful
I decided to take up pop music studies and move to Liverpool after making a conscious lifestyle decision. Previously I studied literature in Paris. I thought this would be the fast track to meeting floppy-haired, idealistic intellectuals with round, wire-rimmed glasses. There wasn’t a single one. There was hardly a boy, and certainly none with an idealistic disposition. Because of this, I decided to rethink what I wanted from a boyfriend. I came to the conclusion that it would be only musos for me from now one. Firstly, you can’t beat the cache of saying “my boyfriend’s band.” Secondly, it’s a guaranteed way to improve your album collection. And if you want to meet a muso, Liverpool is definitely their capital.
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Rather good music scene
There has to be one if there are so many musos around. Fact is, you can catch a live gig every single night of the week in Liverpool, and the music scene is the strongest it has been since the glory days of Echo and the Bunnymen. With The Coral leading the lot to national recognition, bands such as The Basement, The Zutons and The Bandits are close behind with plenty of other groups still working local venues who deserve your attention just as much. The town just might produced another Beatles yet, or even better steal the music mantel from neighborly rivals Manchester.
- Great night life.
It goes hand in with having a good music scene, but there is something for everyone in this town. Do you want a traditional pub? Do you want a bar full of trendy-troos and artsy types? How about a dodgy nightclub with the sludge of primordial times on the floor or a massive dance club with superstar DJ’s? Liverpool has all of those, plus all the local girls wear practically nothing when they go out. Honestly. I have never seen more naked girls on the street anywhere. If that’s not a reason to come visit boys than I don’t know what is!
- It’s beautiful and quirky.
From the grandeur of the Liver Building and the other two graces on the waterfront to the fine Georgian streets to the imposing Gothic stylings of the Anglican cathedral, Liverpool is undoubtedly a fine city. However, let’s not fool ourselves here; it is not a perfect city. It is not as pristine as Paris or as glamorous as New York. There is litter on the streets and there are boarded shops, but still the beauty shines through. Perhaps you might call it a diamond in the rough; I just like to call it unique.
- The Mersey River.
Without a doubt one of the top five rivers in the world, and “Ferry Cross the Mersey” is definitely the BEST song written about a river EVER.
- Scouse.
By far the most unusual accent in the world, scouse only exists within the parameters of the town. Go a few kilometers outside and all traces disappear. Spooky that.
- Friendly people.
It’s not just a rumor. Liverpool people are by far some of the friendliest in Britain.
- The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Top quality musicians.
- Wonderful art galleries.
We got the lovely Walker Gallery and Tate of the North. Not bad, eh?
- The University of Liverpool.
One of the top institutes of higher education in the nation.
And finally, you’ve got to love of such slang terms as: “sound” (means good), “dead” (means very), “ace” (another term for good), and the ever popular “is right” (means fantastic).
