After a long five months of closure, Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club is gearing up to re-open its doors to celebrate its annual International Beatleweek festival, albeit in a very different way!
On Thursday 27th August, the Club will welcome back customers to enjoy a drink and watch pre-recorded and live performances from Beatles tribute acts from around the world, in the Club where it all began for The Beatles.
Artists from over 30 different countries including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, U.S.A, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland will join the renamed ‘Virtually’ Beatleweek to be shown to a significantly reduced live Cavern audience and to fans all around the world via Facebook. With the recent UK Government announcement to permit live music in indoor venue again, the festival programme will also now include live music. Cavern resident musicians will take to the stage for the first time in over five months.
The Cavern, synonymous with the Beatles who performed there 292 times in their early career, would normally be welcoming 12,000 people from 40 different countries to their week-long festival held annually in August.
Cavern director Bill Heckle says
“International Beatleweek is the highlight of the year for many of our loyal customers from around the world, and for that reason, we couldn’t let a year go by without doing something to mark the occasion. It is obviously going to be very different with social distancing and covid safety measures in place, but we’re sure the Cavern’s evocative spirit will remain as we bring fans together to celebrate the music of the fab four, safely and at a distance. “
UK Government and health official covid guidelines are being followed and measures are being put in place to ensure a safe re-opening. The biggest problem for the cellar club, identified by Cavern directors, was the lack of ventilation. To combat this, a brand new air conditioning system which perpetually brings fresh air into the club has been installed during lockdown.
The Cavern will be open to visitors from 12pm until 11pm from Thursday 27th August Tuesday 1st September with a full schedule of live performances shown simultaneously on giant screens on both The Cavern and Live Lounge stages as well as The Cavern Pub and digitally via Facebook.
Most festival days are sold out but a limited number of tickets are available for certain shows. Pre-bookings can be made online at www.cavernclub.com where customers can also check the ‘Know Before You Go’ information before they come, to find out more about what measure will be in place and what they can expect from their visit during the pandemic.
“The Cavern has seen many closures in its turbulent sixty three year history, but none have been because of a pandemic. We are having to adjust our business operation but re-opening our doors after five months and bringing back some live music feels monumental. We hope it is another step on the ladder to our recovery. Most of all, we are looking forward to welcoming people back to the world famous Club”
For more information about The Cavern’s phased re-opening of businesses visit www.cavernclub.com
