Bootle’s Salt and Tar Music Weekender: A Spectacular Celebration of Music, Community, and Legacy

Bootle is buzzing with excitement as Salt and Tar hosts its second annual Music Weekender, an event that promises to be even bigger and more thrilling than last year’s debut. With two nights already under its belt, this year’s festival is off to an incredible start. Both Thursday and Friday delivered unforgettable performances, setting the stage for an epic weekend.

Thursday saw Liverpool’s own Red Rum Club electrify the crowd, while Friday welcomed British rock legends Status Quo to the stage. What an absolutely fantastic night filled with smiles, dancing, and memories that will last a lifetime. The Warwick North West stage was ablaze with energy, as thousands of fans celebrated in what can only be described as an extraordinary event. “Our regeneration program focuses on bringing opportunities to the Bootle community, and welcoming Status Quo did just that,” said event organizers. “We are absolutely honored to say they have played our Warwick North West stage here at Salt and Tar.”

Tonight’s success would not have been possible without the outstanding love and support from our audiences, the people of Bootle, and our sponsors at Warwick North West, Ellandi, Sefton UNISON, and Avison Young Real Estate Professionals. Together, we are building a legacy that will resonate long after the final note has been played.

With the weekend still ahead, the excitement continues to build. The Music Weekender’s headline act, the iconic Sir Tom Jones, is set to take the stage on both Saturday and Sunday, promising fans a double dose of his legendary talent.

This year’s event is on track to break the attendance record set in 2023, which saw over 6,000 people flock to Salt and Tar. The overwhelming demand for tickets, especially for Sir Tom Jones, reflects the growing reputation of Bootle as a premier live music destination.

“The second Music Weekender at Salt and Tar is upon us, and we’re really excited to welcome music fans from all around the UK to Bootle,” said Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills. “This is another fantastic opportunity to showcase Salt and Tar as a top-tier events space, and it’s clear that the appetite for live music in Bootle is stronger than ever.”

Beyond the music, the Weekender is also playing a pivotal role in supporting the local community, particularly its younger members. Throughout the weekend, creative students from Scrapyard Studios, SAE Institute Liverpool, Hugh Baird College, and L20 Hub will have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in content creation, including event photography, videography, and other aspects of live event production. This initiative reflects Sefton Council’s commitment to nurturing local talent and providing young people with valuable skills that could shape their future careers.

“I’m delighted that the Music Weekender is not only bringing fantastic entertainment to Bootle but also giving our young people the chance to develop practical skills and gain real-world experience as part of such an exciting event,” added Cllr Lappin.

This year’s Music Weekender is made possible by the partnership of key sponsors, including Sound City, Warwick North West, Unison, Avison Young, and Ellandi. Each of these organizations is deeply invested in Bootle’s growth and revitalization, making their support crucial to the event’s success.

Greg Johnson, Managing Director of Warwick North West, the festival’s headline sponsor, emphasized the importance of the event in signaling Bootle’s resurgence. “We have been operating in Bootle for more than two decades and have demonstrated our longstanding commitment to this area and its people. The Music Weekender is a visible representation of Bootle’s new-found confidence and sense of optimism. We’re proud to support an event that reflects the vibrancy and potential of this community.”

Glen Williams, Branch Secretary of Sefton UNISON, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the event’s positive impact on the local area. “Our Branch has over 4,000 members working and living in Sefton, particularly in the Bootle area. Anything that brings people together and creates unity will be supported by our union. It’s fantastic to see the growth of this event, which will contribute to the economic regeneration and deserved recognition of this part of the Borough.”

Robin Didier, Asset Manager for Ellandi, recognized the Music Weekender as a symbol of the positive changes taking place in Bootle. “The success of last year and this year’s star-studded lineup are huge testaments to the team’s hard work. The Music Weekender epitomizes how businesses and communities can collaborate to create genuine socio-economic value and transform a place’s purpose. It’s monumental that this is just the beginning of Bootle’s transformation.”

Stephen Cowperthwaite, Managing Director for Liverpool at Avison Young UK, added: “As a business firmly embedded in the community and committed to the ongoing development of the city region, we’re thrilled to be returning as a major supporting partner of Salt and Tar Music Weekender. This event is fantastic news for the local community and highlights the strategic investment that’s been made in Bootle in recent years.”

As the excitement builds for this year’s Music Weekender, it’s clear that the event is more than just a weekend of incredible music—it’s a celebration of Bootle’s bright future and the beginning of a new chapter for the town.

For more information about the Music Weekender, visit [Sefton Council's official website](http://www.sefton.gov.uk/saltandtarweekender).

Are you ready for an unforgettable experience at Salt and Tar!