2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Emilia Bona)
Other guests who will appear over the course of the weekend include Kelly Cates, Lightning Seeds and The Zutons Liverpool is set to host a new three-day festival next month as The Red Weekender takes over the city's Exhibition Centre to celebrate the final weekend of the 2024/25 season. The event will take place between Friday, May 23 and Sunday, May 25 on Liverpool's waterfront. This morning, the festival announced some of the big names who will appear as part of the event, including legendary Liverpool FC figures Kenny Dalglish and Rafa Benitez.
Scouse singer-songwriter Jamie Webster will also entertain crowds of Reds fans at the festival. A long list of special guest stars make up the rest of the programme, including presenter Kelly Cates, Liverpool bands Lightning Seeds and The Zutons and TV legend Les Dennis. The event will see three of the city's fan-led groups - BOSS, Redmen TV, and The Anfield Wrap - coming together under one roof to present their end of season live shows as part of the programme.
Taking place across the final Premier League weekend of the season, when Liverpool FC will face Crystal Palace at Anfield, the Red Weekender will feature a packed schedule of live shows, music performances, family events, and appearances from some of the biggest names in football and Liverpool culture. Festival co-directors Mike Deane and Daniel Nicolson spoke of their vision to deliver the ultimate LFC fan experience over the weekend. Daniel, who founded the LFC fanzine BOSS, which morphed into the fan-event-phenomenon BOSS Night said: “Both Mike and I have been involved in delivering major events across the world for Liverpool fans for several years.
"We’re aiming to bring some of the special moments we’ve been behind in Champions League Final fan parks, the World Club Championship in Doha or the incredible match-day parties in our own city to the Exhibition Centre on what could be the most magical of days for Kopites”. Mike Deane, founder of Liverpool Music Week and long term collaborator of BOSS Night, said: “There’ll be a lot going on in the city at this time and so it’s really important for us to bring together the tried, trusted and respected formulas to fans over this weekend. "Working with long-standing partners of ours in BOSS, The Anfield Wrap and Redmen TV as the foundation of The Red Weekender makes this a truly authentic and exciting prospect for fans.
Choosing the world-class venue Exhibition Centre Liverpool has meant we can significantly elevate this authentic foundation, working with the brands to bring together an absolutely amazing programme that is on a level never seen for a fan-led, fan culture event in the city”. The pair, who are both Anfield season ticket holders, spoke about how this concept will only work if it’s fan-driven. Daniel said: “We have the richest of supporter cultures and a culture which rewards those that put in the hard yards.
We have assembled a line-up that is made up of time-served reds on and off the pitch”. The festival will open with a special Friday night event - a BOSS 'end of season special' - marking 20 years since Liverpool’s iconic 2005 Champions League victory in Istanbul, headlined by none other than the manager who led them to glory - Rafa Benítez. Speaking ahead of the event, Benítez said: “To be back in Liverpool on the 20th anniversary of that magical night in Istanbul, and talk about winning this amazing club's fifth European Cup with Jamie and Kelly direct and personal with the fans will be so special.
What an opportunity, I really can't wait.” Benítez will be joined live on stage in conversation with Kelly Cates and Jamie Webster, with live music from the Lightning Seeds, and a finale performance from Jamie. On Saturday, May 24, fan media brand Redmen TV will bring their biggest-ever live show to the stage, with an end of season party at the Exhibition Centre, from 2pm until 7pm.
Paul Machin, Chris Pajak, Ste Hoare, Chloe Bloxam, Dan Clubbe and the full Redmen TV crew will be joined by Kenny Dalglish, who will headline a special Family Fortunes-style gameshow alongside other members of The Dalglish Family, who will test their LFC trivia. The quiz will be hosted by TV legend Les Dennis. Redmen TV Founder Paul Machin said: "This is a landmark moment in the history of this football club and its fanbase.
If all goes to plan on the pitch, for the first time in 35 years, Liverpool fans are going to be able to come together to celebrate winning the league in person. The Red Weekender is going to be the biggest party in living memory and we're honoured to be able to work alongside BOSS, The Anfield Wrap and so many greats from the world of football, music and entertainment to help deliver it." The day also features live music from Liverpool legends The Zutons, The Raggamuffins, and DJ Harry Mac, plus a special meet and greet with club icons John Aldridge, Bruce Grobbelaar, Gary McAllister and Natasha Dowie.
Between 7pm and 10pm, fan podcast The Anfield Wrap will take over the venue for an end of season live show. The Anfield Wrap's Neil Atkinson, John Gibbons and Craig Hannan will take to the stage to talk fans through an unforgettable season in a two-part seated show. On Sunday, May 25, The Red Weekender opens for the final day with Jamie Webster headlining with a full set of Liverpool hits for the special family-focused event - BOSS KIDS, taking place from 10am to 1pm at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool Main Hall.
Tickets are priced at £22 for adults and £18 for under 18s (plus booking fee). This is the weekend's only all-ages show, and all ages are welcome. All under 18s to be accompanied by an adult.
You can find out more and get the latest ticket information here ..
