The Big Guitar-Inn makes a festive return to St George's Hall
- southlivsurveyor
- Dec 11, 2023
- 3 min read
St George’s Hall was filled with six hundred guitarists for the Florrie’s Big Guitar-Inn to raise money for the local charity and to welcome back the Christmas season.
On Wednesday, 6th December, the iconic Great Organ Hall was filled with spirited chords and soulful strumming of 600 guitars. The organised event included guitarists of all ages and skill levels, the youngest player being 10 years-old.
Alex said: “It feels amazing to be here. It's really joyful. I've been to the Florrie multiple times. I'm excited to play 'Heart as Big as Liverpool' and I've been practising every day with my dad. The Florrie looks amazing and there's lots of lovely people. ”
The set list covered classic songs like “Be My Baby,” “Heart as Big as Liverpool,” and “The Power of Love.”
The strings, brass and choir were all joined on stage by three special guests Kerri Ankrah, Pete Wylie, and Brian Nash.
Kerry Stevens, a guitarist at the event, said: “I thought Brian Nash was really good. I mean that song means a lot to the city, so it's really cool that they played it. I'm really looking forward to Pete Wylie playing the 'Power of Love', it's one of my all time favourites.”
The event was hosted by Timo Tierney, the community coordinator at The Florrie, he played along as well as introduced the acts, conducted interviews and assisted the guitarists in any way they needed.
In a feature with Explore Liverpool Timo said: “There’s nothing better than playing an instrument and singing with other people. Very good for socialisation, and getting people together. Good for your mental health and very good for your wellbeing.”
Special guest, Pete Wylie, was born in Liverpool and is best known for his role as the lead singer in WAH! He released top-of-the-chart tracks such as ‘Sinful; and ‘The Story of the Blues’. At the show, he performed his original single ‘Heart as Big as Liverpool’ which is a well-known tune throughout the city and is played at stadiums such as Anfield and Goodison Park.
The 65-year-old said: “Playing and creating music isn’t a competition, it's about being together and uniting.”
Guitarist of the famous band ‘Frankie Goes to Hollywood’, Brian Nash, participated in the event singing the song ‘The Power of Love’. Nash has played at the St George’s Hall twice this year, the first being a reunion of the band back in the Summer for the Eurovision Opening Ceremony.
The Florrie is a communal charity hub that organises events such as musical, artistic and sports-related activities that are accessible to everyone. They also have their radio show and classes that teach IT skills, art and design. Their goal is to be accessible and inclusive for all the members of the community so that everyone has a safe, open space to have fun and attend social events.
Based in a grade 2 building in Toxteth, Liverpool, the Florrie charity has a huge space that includes halls and classrooms which allows then to host these sessions and activties.
In June they held the event for the first time in St George’s Hall where they raised over £3,500. Ellis Murphy, a local folk singer/songwriter was their special guest and fronted the performance for the song “All You Need is Love”.
The community coordinator, Timo Tierney, described the night as a huge achievement and a step up from when they used to do the Guitar Inn’s on Mill Street at the Florrie itself, with only 100 guitarists and a goal to raise £200 to replace musical equipment in the venue.
Tom Carrington, a supporting audience member, said: "I'm here supporting my sister, she goes the Florrie every Tuesday for the guitar practises so I thought I'd come down and support. It's also for a good cause, the Florrie are really great at helping out the community."
The event created an uplifting, powerful atmosphere and illustrated the musical talent that Liverpool holds. The city has celebrated music and its power to unite a lot this year with Eurovision, the Waterfront festival, and the Big Guitar-Inn was a great way to finish off 2023.
The Big Guitar-Inn raised £2000 on Wednesday night. You can support the charity fundraiser here.
Written by all at South Liverpool Surveyor
