The Perks:
It's free
Roads are closed in the city to make way for over six large outdoor stages dotted on and around the city centre roads.
My favourite tip - take your own beer.
There's all music, not just the Beatles. I was very excited about the Brit pop acts but some of us headed for northern soul dancing fun while my 'down south friends' enjoyed the Beatles/Merseybeat tours.
Watching a Brazilian Beatles cover band. Bands come from all over the world and their performances are superb.
Were you an original mod/rocker? The live bands could have been plucked right from the 1960's, they make the effort to dress the part and banter with the audience as though we're just hearing 'Do wah Diddy' or 'Needles and Pins' for the first time
If you're booked up for Creamfields the same weekend then you can carry on your festival fun on the Sunday as the Matthew Street festival is over Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (and its only a 30min train ride away.)
If you're not into cover tribute bands then visit the fringe festival that runs at the same time and watch all new signed and unsigned bands
My Personal favourite bars can all be googled:

Korova; I enjoy the bands Hot Club de Paris and Elle S'apelle and they are playing here this year. Check their myspace.

Heebie Jeebies: Dance to Northern Soul all night.

JR's Bar and Grill: right by Central and Lime Street Station for excellent grill food with various heavy and light options. Plus they have live music.

www.mathewstreetfestival.com/main2008.htm

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The biggest live free African music festival in the UK, also including reggae and Latin music. Why not camp at Formby point which is on Merseyrail and you can take a direct train to St. Michaels to watch the festival both days

www.africaoye.com
Sefton Park, near St. Michaels train station, or numerous buses from the city centre

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A music venue in the popular drinking area that is Concert Square. Go past all the awful chain bars and two-for-one drinking venues and escape to Korova just up Fleet Street. Wicked venue, illustrations and graphics cover the walls and there are booths in the bar to relax in. During the day there's good food and drink, of an evening you can catch a band or go to one of the club nights. Usually has something going on most evenings.

www.korova-liverpool.com/contact.php
39-41 Fleet Street,Liverpool, L1 4AR

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From the shelter in the middle of the roundabout and onwards, most of the things mentioned in the Beatles' song are still there: the barbers, the bank, the fire station (slightly down the road). Penny Lane is the middle of one of Liverpool's suburban shopping areas and is well worth a visit for a taste of Liverpool as the Beatles knew it.

Catch the number 86 bus from town and get off at the Penny Lane bus shelter. It's all there.

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The Beatles Story on Albert Dock is a must see for any Beatles fan. The audio guide is fantastic - it's narrated by John Lennon's sister Julia and is available in 8 different languages. There are some great pieces of memorabilia including John's glasses, George's first guitar and the reconstruction of the Cavern is incredibly atmospheric. There's a brilliant gift shop too and they've recently announced a massive expansion plan.

Albert Dock
www.beatlesstory.com
Lime Street is about 20 mins walk away.

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Very interesting and enthusiastically led by the guides, one of whom doubles up as custodian for John's house.

The custodian of Paul's house is a dead ringer for the man himself without the hair dye!

Try to go off season and late in the day to avoid the crowds.

One tour starts from Speke Hall well worth a visit in itself.

see National Trust website - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-the_beatles.htm

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Much like the magical mystery tour but more intimate and with greater depth. Conducted by the Blue Badge-accredited Phil Hughes, you'll see all the famous Beatles sites in his eight seater mini-bus.

It's a much more personal experience plus there's the added bonus of Phil fitting round your schedule. He's got a great write up in the current Lonely Planet too.

You'll need to book with him in advance. The hostels and tourist information in Liverpool can do that for you, or you can call him yourself on 0151 228 4565.

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