Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena last night played host tonight to an unforgettable evening as people packed out the venue to celebrate the future of the city’s beloved children’s hospice Liverpool Zoe’s Place where the charity officially revealed a new name ‘Little Lights Liverpool Baby Hospice’.
The one-night-only concert, A Celebration of Liverpool Zoe’s Place, brought together an incredible mix of Merseyside talent to thank the community that saved the hospice from closure and to raise vital funds for its next chapter.
Headlined by Jamie Webster, The Zutons, Lightning Seeds and many more amazing performers with the backing from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the event was a once-in-a-lifetime show of solidarity and creativity.
Also bringing some amazing energy to the evening were DJ sets from Jonny Bongo and Billie Clements, plus comedy from Liverpool’s own Paul Smith and powerful performances from community groups including Cody Urban Dance and dancers from LIPA. The evening opened with a specially commissioned spoken word piece by Joseph Roberts, grounding the show in local pride and purpose.
With over 9000 tickets sold, organisers called it a “landmark cultural moment” for Liverpool, not just musically, but emotionally too, as the hospice revealed its new name, Little Lights – Liverpool Baby Hospice, to a rapturous crowd.
The new name of the charity was chosen through a huge public competition the Same Heart, Fresh Start campaign. The winner of the competition was Ameila S age 7. The judges loved the name as it reflects the hospice’s unwavering dedication to caring for children with life-limiting conditions and its bright future ahead in a brand-new home in West Derby, due to open in summer 2026.
Jamie Webster said:
“Being part of tonight was a real full-circle moment. To be on the bill alongside people I’ve grown up listening to was unbelievable. I jog passed Liverpool Zoe’s Place every day and there’s honestly nothing I wouldn’t have done to help when I heard they were in trouble. Liverpool has always looked after its own and what the community’s done to save Little Lights proves that. This hospice means the world to so many families and playing a role in its future is a massive honour.”
Ian Byrne MP said:
“Tonight was more than a concert, it was a statement of what this city stands for. When Liverpool Zoe’s Place was at risk, the people of Liverpool came together and refused to let it disappear. This celebration shows the incredible things we can achieve through unity, compassion and community spirit. I’m proud beyond words to have played a part in helping secure its future.”
Final full line-up:
Jamie Webster • The Zutons • Lightning Seeds • Circa Waves • Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra • Paul Smith • Rebecca Ferguson • The Real Thing • Red Rum Club • Rianne Downey • The Farm • The Cheap Thrills • Pete Wylie • Ian McCulloch • Adam Rowe • Brad Kella • Ian Prowse • Jonny Bongo • Billie Clements • Cody Urban Dance • Joseph Roberts • LIPA Dance • Sense of Sound Singers • Leanne Campbell Power
Adam Rowe and Leanne Campbell Power hosted the evening, with surprise appearances and celebrity guests joining in to show their support.
The event was co-organised by the Little Lights Baby Hospice team, Modern Sky’s David Pichllingi, Liverpool Music Week’s Mike Deane and BOSS Night founder Daniel Nicolson, working in collaboration with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the ACC Liverpool Group, and initiated by Ian Byrne MP.
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