Liverpool is recognised as the spiritual home of shanties and sea songs, like Nashville and country ‘n western, like New Orleans and jazz. And city's annual shanty festival has provided a world-leading showcase of maritime songs and music, entertaining massive audiences of all ages and interests.
In this year of European Capital of Culture the event has returned as Shanties 08, running in conjunction with the visit of the Tall Ships Race - 18th to 20th July.
Shanties 08 features a wide variety of the very best local, national and international artists, with styles ranging from cajun, Celtic, folk-rock and authentic traditional, performed on ships, stages and indoor venues around the Albert and Wellington Docks and in the city centre.
Shanties 08 is run as a non-profit enterprise with assistance from Liverpool City Council and BBC Radio Merseyside.