More than 15,000 people attended this year’s Salt and Tar Music Festival, making it one of the most successful events ever staged in Bootle and further solidifying the town’s reputation as a growing destination for culture, live events and entertainment.
Held at The Lock & Quay event grounds while work continues on the transformation of Bootle Strand, the five-day festival attracted visitors from across the Liverpool City Region and throughout the UK, with some international visitors also travelling to Bootle to experience the event.
Festival-goers enjoyed headline performances from Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Billy Ocean, The Waterboys and The Saw Doctors, alongside a packed Festival Village programme showcasing grassroots talent and local businesses.
The event delivered significant social value, with Scrapyard Studios CIC hosting a grassroots music stage and busking spots, while students gained valuable production work experience and opportunities to support headline artists behind the scenes. Students from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) also played key roles in event delivery, gaining hands-on experience in live events and artist liaison.
The festival also supported the local economy, with all food and bar traders from Sefton, while volunteers from Sefton CVS helped welcome thousands of visitors throughout the weekend.
Councillor Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said:
“Welcoming more than 15,000 people to Bootle is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates just how far Salt and Tar has come. We saw visitors travelling from across the country, and even from overseas, to experience what Bootle has to offer.
“The festival not only brought world-class live music to the town but also created opportunities for local artists, students, businesses and volunteers, delivering real benefits for our communities. Events like this are helping put Bootle firmly on the map as a destination for culture, leisure and entertainment.”
One festival-goer said:
“WOW. What an absolutely brilliant night! You completely smashed it. The atmosphere was fantastic, Nile Rodgers and CHIC were incredible, and I’m fairly sure my legs are now filing an official complaint after far too much dancing.
“It’s brilliant to see events like this happening in Bootle and bringing so many people together. A massive well done to everyone involved in organising it. You should be really proud of what you pulled off.”
Kim Nealon, a LIPA student involved in the festival said:
“It’s been a great experience to see the event come together and to be involved in an event of this scale is so valuable to my learning. The team have been very supportive, and I will take a lot from this experience.”
The success of this year’s festival highlights the growing ambition of Salt and Tar and the important role it is playing in Bootle’s ongoing regeneration, bringing thousands of people into the town and showcasing it to new audiences from across the UK and beyond.
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