Beatles weekend heads for Shrewsbury

The town will host a range of events in the county town including live music, special guest speakers and Beatles film screenings – once again proving that All You Need Is Love.

The weekend will culminate with a concert at Theatre Severn featuring, from Liverpool, the top Beatles tribute band, The Mersey Beatles.

And the entire weekend is in aid of the Mayor of Shrewsbury’s charity 2019-20, the Samaritans of Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury hosted the Beatles a number of times, including a memorable concert at Shrewsbury Music Hall in 1963

Celebrate

Shrewsbury Town Councillor Phil Gillam, currently deputy mayor and due to be mayor from May, said he wanted to celebrate those links and create a fun weekend that could raise money for good causes, adding : “I’m a lifelong Beatles devotee and I wanted to devise a fundraising event that would be tremendous fun but also something that would be close to my heart in every way.

“So, a Shrewsbury Beatles Weekend seemed the perfect answer – and the icing on the cake is that it will be in aid of the Shrewsbury Samaritans."

Events for Shrewsbury Beatles Weekend from September 20-22 will be centred largely around Theatre Severn, with film screenings and special guest speakers plus the main concert on the Sunday night.

There will be additional events across Shrewsbury including musicians presenting live renditions of Beatles songs in the cellars of The Buttermarket.

Hits

“Of course, Shrewsbury does have genuine connections to The Beatles,” said Mr Gillam. “They played here three times – once at The Granada, twice at The Music Hall – and they even wrote one of their biggest hits, From Me to You, while travelling from York to their next gig in Shrewsbury in February 1963."

In addition, it’s the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ classic album, Abbey Road, this September and The Mersey Beatles will be performing the album in its entirety as part of their act.

Fellow organiser Tim King said: “We are just so excited about this event. The world-wide impact of The Beatles extends far beyond music. Pushing aside the post-war drudgery of the 1950s, this band emerged as beacons of hope. With their attitude, their sharp wit and of course their extraordinary records, they influenced the worlds of fashion, media and so much more. Today – almost half a century since the group broke up – they continue to be loved the world over.”

For more information contact the Theatre Severn box office on 01743 281281.