Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Living up to, and going beyond the pressure is what separates the good and the enjoyable from the legends of the future. It cannot after all be easy to live up to the shadows that a much admired name bestows, neither can it be taken in the same vein when you have already produced one of the musical performances of the year so far.

For Mersey Wylie, the bountiful flower of the new scene in Liverpool, the music history she has been endowed with would make some rather run so far and so fast that the fastest train to London leaving Lime Street Station would be left trailing in its wake somewhere around Runcorn. Mersey Wylie though is infectiously enjoyable and creatively outstanding. It is that creativity that has shaped her into the woman of substance that the city craves and it one that no other feeling could displace.

Not only does Ms. Wylie have a heart as big as Merseyside, her in depth lyrics border on the natural story-telling ability that is infused into the lifeblood of all who can hear the Liver Birds sing to each other on a daily basis. Whilst it was always going to be a big ask of the young woman to match the intensity of her and her band’s performance at Studio 2 the previous Sunday, the fact that the music swelled with pride as it was being played by the six piece band is statement enough to her attributes and her truly honest delivery.

With the band playing songs such as Love’s That’s Real, Stand Up, the absolute roaring Fighter and Don’t Give Up, the Liverpool Loves Festival seemed to take on an extra charm and the river that shares Ms. Wylie’s name carried the notes played, the heartfelt lyrics sang with passion, out far and wide until lost from the gaze of the motionless but iconic Liver Birds high above the vocally appreciative crowd.

To match one performance with another is always a misnomer, things change, the setting is different, the crowd one person dissimilar to the previous one but for Mersey Wylie and the prospect of new recorded material to come, this has been the most perfect year so far. Long may the Mersey reign in the hearts of Liverpool’s music community!

Ian D. Hall