Britain’s Got Talent finalist chooses Liverpool ONE for first public performance
Posted by
Isaac Waddington, a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent, performed at Liverpool ONE on July 1st.
The 15 year old chose Liverpool ONE’s Tickle the Ivories outdoor piano Festival for his first public appearance since reaching the finals on Britain’s Got Talent and signing a recording contract with Simon Cowell’s company, Syco. The young pianist officially launched Tickle the Ivories, which is run in partnership with Open Culture and is now in its fifth year.
Isaac said: “I am really looking forward to performing at Liverpool ONE. I have seen Tickle videos online and it looks like a great festival. It’ll be cool to play to fans in the open-air and I can’t wait to be a part of it. I hope lots of people will want to join in too and to help to spread the love of music.”
For the first time in the history of Tickle the Ivories, schools from across the region are being given the chance to win £1,000 worth of instruments for their music department. The performances, themed around The Beatles, as part of the 25th birthday celebrations of the Beatles Story in the city, will be judged by top local musicians and the favourites will be shared on the Liverpool ONE Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages for everyone to enjoy.
Isaac added: “This is such a great opportunity for budding performers – and I would urge as many schools as possible to enter and show off their students’ musical talents – who knows where it could lead?”
Tickle the Ivories runs from July 1 until September 6 with the pianos transforming Liverpool ONE into open air music boulevards. Instruments will be located in Lower South John Street, Paradise Street, College Lane, Sugar House Steps, Peter’s Square and Galleria near Chavasse Park.
 copy.jpg)
Marketing director at Liverpool ONE, Donna Howitt, said: “Liverpool has an affinity with music, especially with its musical heritage and flair for finding the next generation of young stars. Tickle the Ivories gives performers of all ages, including schoolchildren, a platform to perform to the masses or just play a tune they love. Musical talent flows through the city and Tickle the Ivories has fast become a firm favourite in Liverpool for showcasing amateur talent. We are delighted to be welcoming Isaac to launch our very special piano festival this year. Who knows, we may discover the next Isaac Waddington right here at Liverpool ONE!”
Tickle the Ivories has helped launch the careers of youngsters in Liverpool. Last year, Whiston hospital worker, John-Paul Riley, was launched into viral stardom and became an internet sensation overnight after a video of him playing Rivers Flow in You on a Tickle piano was uploaded to Facebook, gaining over 17,000 likes and almost 5,000 shares.
Meanwhile, singer and pianist, Harriet Marsland who reached bootcamp in X Factor in 2012, later went on to be crowned the Voice of Merseyside. She was also voted top performer at a Liverpool ONE busking competition after performing to an open air audience at Chavasse Park.
