Ringo Starr To Head Up City Of Culture Launch Party

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr is to perform at a rooftop concert to launch his hometown Liverpool's status as European City of Culture in 2008 tonight (January 11).

Ringo Starr will perform on the roof of St George's Hall and his set will include the unveiling of a brand new song too.

Also appearing at The People's Opening event from 20:08 this evening will be former Eurythmic Dave Stewart and local chart-topping band The Wombats.

City of Culture status will see a year-long programme of more than 350 events with the city expecting to receive an extra two million visitors boost the economy by £100m.

Exec producer for the Liverpool Culture Company, Clare McColgan has said:
"The city has never attempted anything like this, Liverpool has been through a massive change in the last five years so we have taken that as the artistic theme so the show includes lots of cranes, aerial performances and pyrotechnics."

More information about the 2008 Liverpool events are available here: www.liverpool08.com

Pic credit: PA Photos