Festival 08

City Sings Gospel 08 was a massive success- running from the 1^st to the 15^th of June 2008 the gospel music attracted local and international artists and audiences to Liverpool. Over 15 unforgettable days the much celebrated programme had concerts, street events and conference for up and coming artists and gospel music industry figures. Please click on the links below to see the hundreds of photographs of the international festival of Gospel Music and to read more about the events.
Muyiwa & Riversongz In Concert Sunday 1st June 2008 at Liverpool Lighthouse Returning after the success of their sell out concert in Liverpool last year Gospel chart topping Muyiwa and Riversongz performed in Anfield to officially kick off the City Sings Gospel festival.
International Gospel Arts Partnership Summit Saturday 7th June 2008 at Liverpool Lighthouse Anfield, usually the Mecca of football fans became the centre of the Gospel Music world on Saturday June 7^th. Gospel Artistes and professionals from Africa to the USA were gathering for the International Gospel Arts Partnership Summit at Anfield’s Liverpool Lighthouse. Delegates met to hear about the upward surge of gospel music in different parts of the world, forge new links, showcase new talent, explore the theme of partnership and learn about current developments in the industry.
City Sings Gospel International Concert Saturday 7th June 2008 at Liverpool Lighthouse The finale of the International Gospel Arts Partnership Summit concert had a fantastic mix of gospel music and artists. Shawn Henry started off the show with his hip-hop track ‘Solider of Christ’ and the night ended with the amazing vocals of Leeds based choir Voices in Praise.
The Feast of Choirs Friday 13th June 2008 at Anglican Cathedral The pinnacle event of City Sings Gospel, which has developed and brought together choirs and gospel groups across the region, was an inspirational evening of great gospel chorale singing. Acts include Beverly Trotman and renowned Stavanger Gospel Choir.
Festival Of Hope Saturday 14th June 2008 at Hope Street Liverpool This huge street party brought gospel, hip-hop and soul to the heart of Liverpool. This unforgettable free international celebration helped Hope Street live up to its name
Hope Inspired Saturday 14th June 2008 at Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Liverpool This huge street party brought gospel, hip-hop and soul to the heart of Liverpool. This unforgettable free international celebration helped Hope Street live up to its name
Merseytravel 'Under and Over the Mersey' Tunnel Walk Sunday 15th June 2008 Love and Joy Choir provided the soundtrack to Mersey Travel’s ambitious and historic public walk through Birkenhead Tunnel. The tunnel walk was a fun family event with a carnival atmosphere.

Over the years, City Sings Gospel has welcomed Liverpool to learn more about Gospel Music through our events. Liverpool Lighthouse embarked on an ambitious programme of organising three festivals over three years in Liverpool. A local festival in 2006 featured predominantly local artists. The highly successful festival in 2007 commemorated the 200^th anniversary of the abolition of slave trade and had a clear national focus and dignitaries from Africa, Americas and the UK. The International festival of Gospel music in 2008 brought an international dimension of gospel music and arts to Liverpool, which it is hoped will be a springboard for future festivals in the region.

City Sings Gospel festival organisers at Liverpool Lighthouse would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff, volunteers, partners, artists and supporters for their valuable contribution to the international festival. Words of thanks have been pouring in from the artists and delegates who have returned home, wishing us all well in our future endeavours and thanking everyone for all their hard work. You can read more about what they said in our comments page.