Astral Coast 2015

Taking over the bustling Marine Point in New Brighton on Saturday 11th July, the festival will be immersed in the centre of this versatile community space with creativity, the arts, music, and topical discussion.

Showcasing some of Merseyside’s most exciting up and coming acts, this year sees it building upon its previous years which have been critically lauded by music lovers and press alike. Enveloping the whole of Marine Point for the day, with art exhibitions, interactive stalls, food, drink and as ever the very best new music around.

Bringing together the region’s most exciting emerging artists with established Merseyside headliners, Astral Coast offers a unique day of live music, with previous performers including XL recordings, Domino and Deltasonic recording artists alongside MOBO award winners and NME favourites.

But Astral Coast is so much more than simply a day of top music in the sun, other highlights will include:

Knack, part of Ninety Squared CIC, will be exhibiting ‘The Big House Arts Program’. A unique collection of photography work from prisoners at Walton Prison, which is designed to give prisoners the chance to explore their creativity and work together as part of their education and rehabilitation scheme.

Hope Place Open Mic. A relaxed, fun and inclusive get together of local people to share music, poetry, stand-up, stories and experiences. From complete beginners to more established artists, the emphasis is on support and shared experience. All are welcome to perform, but don’t forget your instrument of choice!

Liverpool Live TV will once again bring their fantastic Red Sofa Sessions to Astral Coast, featuring special acoustic performances from local musicians. Each session will be recorded for future broadcast on LLTV.

Merseyrail Sound Station will be continuing to celebrate emerging new music from Merseyside with their Pop Up tent - live performance, recorded sessions and generally the latest new sounds from across the Merseyrail network.

SORA West African Drumming Performance Band will be performing and running a free interactive workshop, building on foundation and research into the benefits of drumming on mental and general health.

Vox at The Light Community Choir will be both performing and also inviting the community to take part in a group session, using singing to increase feelings of well being, confidence bonding the community.

The first ever Astral Coast Chess Olympiad, led by Jimmy Jones and Mike Rowan.

Meanwhile, in the Arts and Minds Wellbeing Village:

The Marquee: An exciting arts activity space for all and a place to recharge those batteries: with free creative wellbeing workshops within: Arts, Music, Mindfulness, relaxation and drumming, We have some fantastic people and organisations on board, including: Emerge Community Arts, Solace Through Creativity, Making Grooves and Sora Percussion.

Time to Shine Stage hosted by Crass Routes. A fun, accessible inclusive open mic performance space for musicians, poets, story tellers and performing artists.

The Stalls: A variety of stalls and taster sessions from a host of local providers offering: advice and Information about mental & physical wellbeing; substance misuse; cultural and social opportunities throughout Wirral. Including: Community Soul, Hope Place Coffee Shop; CALM; Wirral CVS; Spider Project; Beyond Recovery; CWP with more TBC.

The Singing Café leading a communal sing song over lunch.

Special Art Commissions:

A commission of four art works created by a variety of community groups exploring four key themes: normalising mental health; recognising risks to mental health; coping strategies & maintenance and hope & healing through creativity.