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The Bootleg Beatles and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra To Work Together

Written by Johnson Stephen on September 5, 2019

The award-winning Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the nation’s premier Beatle group The Bootleg Beatles are delighted to announce that they will team up for a second time for a number of special concerts in 2019 and 2020 to mark the fiftieth anniversaries of the releases of two of The Beatles’ most iconic albums, ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let It Be’.

The tour marks 50 years since the release of these final two albums – ‘Abbey Road’ (released 26 September 1969) and ‘Let It Be’ (released 8 May 1970), and will explore the journey to the end of The Beatles – celebrating the music of this era and the legacy that endures to this day.

This unique production will premiere with two shows at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the first, 50 years ago to the day of the release of ‘Abbey Road’ (26 & 27 Sept 2019), followed by a national tour to prestigious venues around the UK, with a show at Clyde Auditorium on the 50^th Anniversary of the release of ‘Let it Be’ (8 May 2020) and closing with the newly added third Liverpool date.

The music of these two iconic albums is arranged by composer Ian Stephens in this special musical collaboration, employing the full majesty of a 70-piece symphony orchestra with The Bootleg Beatles performing timeless classics including masterpieces such as ‘Here Comes The Sun’, ‘Come Together’, ‘The Long and Winding Road’ and ‘Let it Be’.

Neil Innes, writer, comedian and musician, (Monty Python, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, The Rutles) presents this unique live staging, which will be an unmissable event for Beatles fans of all ages.
On Liverpool Philharmonic’s second collaboration with the Bootleg Beatles, Richard Haswell, Liverpool Philharmonic’s Head of Programme (Hall & Events) said ”After the huge success of the ‘Sgt Pepper’ project, it’s an absolute delight to reunite the Bootleg Beatles with our incredible musicians in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. We are also very excited about working with Neil Innes following his recent sell out performance with The Rutles in our Music Room venue.

‘Composer Ian Stephens’ music has been performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on numerous occasions, as well as by other UK orchestras and ensembles. Ian will do a fantastic job in bringing the music of ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let It Be’ to the stage, giving one of the world’s great symphony orchestras and The Bootleg Beatles the platforms they deserve.

‘To present these concerts in Liverpool and to take ‘And In The End’ on tour to some of the UK’s most prestigious venues is a real privilege. The book-ending of the tour with the 50^th anniversaries of the releases of ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let It Be’ is testament to the resonance and influence that four lads from Liverpool and their seminal albums continue to exert on music today.’

Neil Harrison of The Bootleg Beatles said:

‘The Bootleg Beatles/Liverpool Philharmonic collaboration to bring the ‘Sgt Pepper‘ album to life on stage was such a wonderful, creative, often challenging but hugely rewarding experience. Frankly I cannot think of anything more exciting than to repeat the whole process all over again.’

On bringing ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let It Be’ to the stage, composer/arranger :

‘I’ve known these albums all my life, but in preparing these orchestral versions I’m getting to know them a whole lot better!

‘I began by listening to the original tracks intensively with Andrew Barreau from The Bootleg Beatles, working out all the places where the orchestra takes the limelight – where it will provide a huge surge of brass-led power, or a lush dose of strings – and the places where it can take more of a background role.

‘Then I lovingly transcribe all the songs by ear, getting down all the melodic and rhythmic details, every one of those intricate vocal harmonies that makes the music of The Beatles so addictive.

‘I’m keeping true to the spirit of George Martin’s timeless arrangements, but adding a super charged orchestral scaffolding. The brilliant musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will really be able to let rip, adding a whole extra level of power and beauty.

‘What a privilege it is for me – a Devon boy but a Merseysider for the last 20 years – to be orchestrating this great music. I can’t wait to hear the final result!’

2019 DATES

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
SOLD OUT Thursday 26 September – 50^th Anniversary of release of Abbey Road
SOLD OUT Friday 27 September 2019

Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Sunday 29 September 2019

Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Wednesday 16 October 2019

Royal Albert Hall, London
Thursday 17 October 2019

Anvil, Basingstoke
Friday 18 October 2019

2020 DATES

Derngate, Northampton
Friday 1 May 2020

Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Saturday 2 May 2020

Sage Gateshead
Wednesday 6 May 2020

Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Thursday 7 May 2020

SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
Friday 8 May 2020 – 50^th Anniversary of release of Let it Be

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – NEW SHOW!
Saturday 9 May 2020