The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and The Bootleg Beatles will team up again on Saturday 13 January 2018 at Echo Arena Liverpool to reprise their performance of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

It kicks off a year long, city-wide celebration of the extraordinary cultural offer the city boasts a decade since being European Capital of Culture.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performed the first ever concert at Echo Arena Liverpool in 2008.

‘It Was 10 Years Ago Today’ features the Bootleg Beatles with the full power and drama of the 70-piece Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performing the iconic album, arranged by Nigel Osborne live in its entirety, along with many other songs from The Beatles’ ‘flower power’ era including Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and All You Need is Love.

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive of Liverpool Philharmonic said: “We’re delighted to reunite the Orchestra with our good friends the Bootleg Beatles and Roger McGough performing Nigel Osborne’s incredible arrangements of The Beatles’ iconic Sgt. Pepper album at the start of the arena’s tenth birthday year.

“Liverpool Philharmonic provided ‘the soundtrack to the year’ during 2008 so we’re proud to play our part in getting the Liverpool 2018 celebrations underway, as we did in January 2008, for the start of European Capital of Culture year and the opening of Echo Arena.”

Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, which includes Echo Arena Liverpool, said: “2018 is set to be a magnificent year as the whole city joins together to reflect on its numerous achievements over the past decade – and to look ahead at how we continue to develop this legacy, particularly around cultural events.

“It is therefore fitting that we will welcome back the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, 10 years after they performed at Echo Arena’s opening night, and that they will play such an iconic Beatles album. We are honoured to host them for a spectacular evening of celebration.”

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “The winning combination of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bootleg Beatles has already proved to be a massive success this year and I’m delighted their reunion will be taking place in what is set to be a watershed year in the history of Liverpool.

“As we mark 10 years since our tenure as European Capital of Culture, it feels right that this concert takes place in Echo Arena – a venue which played such a pivotal role in staging our incredible opening ceremony and acting as the launch pad for 2008’s unforgettable year in the spotlight.”

Howard Farrall, Managing Director of Arriva Merseyside, said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of this celebration with our psychedelic new double-decker buses. The Beatles are arguably one of the most important bands in history and we’re looking forward to seeing the city of Liverpool come together to honour the 50th anniversary of the iconic Sgt Pepper album and to celebrate Echo Arena Liverpool’s 10th birthday.”

Tickets are priced from £39 and go on sale on Friday 22 September at 9am.

To book tickets log on to www.echoarena.com/sgtpepperlive

Call the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400