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Thousands enjoy day one of the Mathew Street Festival 2012
Thousands of music fans flocked to the Mathew Street Festival on Sunday 26 August 2012, ploughing millions of pounds into Liverpool's economy.
Despite the cancelation of the outdoor aspect of the second day of festivities, due to hazardous weather conditions, more than 160,000 people visited the first day of the main festival, matching the turn-out for the first day last year.
Cllr Wendy Simon, Liverpool’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: "It’s been absolutely fantastic today. The sunny weather – and of course the great programming – has really brought the crowds out.
"We’ve had three and four generations of the same families out enjoying live music in the sunshine.
"Those people have come to spend money in the city’s hotels, bars and restaurants, and to enjoy all the city has to offer."
The Made in Liverpool stage in Williamson Square featured original bands and artists from the city, spanning the musical spectrum. Local bands Married To The Sea, Filter Distortion, All We Are, The Verdict, The Mono LPs, The Furious, Esco Williams, Hummingbirds, The Sums and Dirty Rivers played sets to a packed crowd.
Digsy Deary, singer with The Sums, said: "Mathew Street isn’t about the bands, it’s about the people. This is the first time we’ve played one of the main stages and it’s been fantastic. The crowd were great."
Bass player Chris Mullin added: "There have been some great bands on this stage, and all from the city.
"The crowds demonstrate that there’s definitely an appetite for original music as part of the festival as well as all the tribute bands."
Over on the Water Street stage there was a tribute to Eric’s. Singer/songwriter Ian McNabb and up-and-coming Liverpool band Cold Shoulder played a set honouring the iconic city music venue.
Bass player Andy Ashton said: "It was great playing on the open-air stage with Ian McNabb. The crowd were really up for it and it set us up for our own gig later in the day at Eric’s itself.
"We were really blown away with the indoor show, which took place as part of the fringe festival. It was hot and sweaty and the crowd were amazing. It’s been a great day for all the bands."
For more news from the Liverpool Echo visit www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
[Image: Amy Housewine and the Mathew Street Festival crowd enjoy the sunshine]
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