Why does Liverpool have such an iconic status?

[TigerOnTour]

Why do people rave about Liverpool? I feel like it's seen as more 'individual' than other cities, but why is this? It shares lots of characteristics with other big cities like Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Birmingham and Bristol but they don't have the same status. Is it just the Beatles?

Spot on casey

Totally. You really feel you’ve arrived in Liverpool, in Manchester it’s like you’ve been smuggled in through the back door.

In Brum you feel like you've been spat out on the floor.

Tbh in the 70s, 80 Birmingham had an incredibly rich art scene and plenty of fine muscians/movements (Black Sabbath Led Zeplin etc).

There are beautiful buildings. It is home to Birmingham Royal Ballet and Simon Rattle's Symphony Orchestra was a world wide attraction at one point. The Symphony Halls acoustics at the time were legendary.

The city planning in the last couple of decades has been poor and it has been left behind. With misplaced architecture and the removal of some fine Brutalist buildings.

I fancy a trip to Liverpool. It sounds like it has become what Birmingham should have. Unfortunately, less so Manchester - the Dubai of the north.

Totally. You really feel you’ve arrived in Liverpool, in Manchester it’s like you’ve been smuggled in through the back door.

In Brum you feel like you've been spat out on the floor.

Tbh in the 70s, 80 Birmingham had an incredibly rich art scene and plenty of fine muscians/movements (Black Sabbath Led Zeplin etc).

There are beautiful buildings. It is home to Birmingham Royal Ballet and Simon Rattle's Symphony Orchestra was a world wide attraction at one point. The Symphony Halls acoustics at the time were legendary.

The city planning in the last couple of decades has been poor and it has been left behind. With misplaced architecture and the removal of some fine Brutalist buildings.

I fancy a trip to Liverpool. It sounds like it has become what Birmingham should have. Unfortunately, less so Manchester - the Dubai of the north.

Scousers have a very strong sense of identity. As a previous poster said, they seem to have been drawn together as a city by various events, most notably the Hillsborough tragedy. Everyone indirectly knows someone who was killed. Liverpool received a lot of bad press in the 90s. This seems to have made them stronger collectively. As a city, 90 percent of people seem share the same politics. Those who go on to earn big salaries contine to vote Labour and be very pro union. Unlike other cities there are very few private school in the city but no lack of money in some parts. The city is really proud off Irish and working class roots. In some ways its not that different to other northern cities but the people ensure it has a strong identity.

No question in my mind that Liverpool is the most iconic city in the north. I'm a Londoner but love visiting Liverpool. Not just the Beatles, port regeneration, Mersey, slavery connections, etc. So much interesting history and friendly people.

Unless you arrive from the tunnel to head north where Scotland Road (Scottie Road) still looks like a scene from Beirut.

I know there are issues everywhere but so many in the city turn a blind eye to things that happen which Dion't happen anywhere.

I was visiting mum last week and the suburban McDonalds had a sign only allowing 2 youths over the age of 11 in at a time and then with no head gear unless religious. which is understandable since a group of girls in early teenagers where happily trashing the planted areas and this was 7pm at night.

On relating the story to a family member I got the good old "happens everywhere" or "they're just bored like"

It doesn't happen everywhere and even if there were thing to make them less bored, the scrotes that need to attend there wouldn't attend as it isn't cool.

Once you scratch below the surface of the recent city center investment, nothing has changed in 30 years.

If they stick around, the rest (majority?) leave.

The music history is different as is the history of both cities generally.

Liverpool was THE key port back in the days of the slave trade. That's why it got rich and has a big museum there about it.

Manchester was hugely important for workers rights and the cotton industry. And it was an abolitionist city. It was instrumental in ensuring you get holidays today.

It really is kinda sad that there are so many people on the thread lacking in this knowledge.

It is because of its history. I have never been but really want to go.

In Brum you feel like you've been spat out on the floor

what at New Street? Where you walk straight into The Bullring with restaurants and shops and a huge mechanical bull? It’s nice!

I live there now and it has a lot of nice things going for it - plus a similar strong sense of cultural identity as Liverpool

I’m from Manchester but went to Liverpool university and now live in London. I have TONS of affection for Liverpool as a city - it is fucking brilliant. I miss it a lot and will always say yes to a trip back there.

The history, the architecture, the pop culture! If you don’t get it, that’s your problem frankly!

Excuse me?

I was commenting on the musical history of Liverpool, not passing comment on the cotton trade and its importance in Manchester. And actually Manchester’s reliance on slavery was huge, and although you are correct that there was a big abolitionist movement it is naive to pretend the Lancashire and Manchester cotton mills weren’t reliant on it and therefore much of Manchester’s wealth. Look at the Hibberts and Philips families as examples.

Conditions in Mancunian cotton mills were dire for the workers, with the Factory Act implemented in name only for the most part. The history of Ancoats is fascinating but tragic. When Samuel Greggs opened his mill at Styal, workers flocked to it as the conditions were so much better than in the Manchester mills.

None of the above is remotely relevant to the original post I made, which was about music. But you crack on assuming my ignorance.

😆😆
Excellent

I'm from Merseyside and I'm afraid the entire county is now pretty much bleak as fuck. It would like to be vibrant and fun, but a succession of abysmal local councils and rampant drug-related crime has largely destroyed the famous scouse sense of humour and is turning the city into a shithole. When it was derided for being a shithole in the 80s, it was still a great place with a strong identity. Now it's mainly shit, with pockets of decency.

Fuck you very much Tory Britain and arsehole Labour councillors.

@SlowerMovingVehicle Ah OK so similar to Brum then. That is a shame.

what at New Street? Where you walk straight into The Bullring with restaurants and shops and a huge mechanical bull? It’s nice!

I live there now and it has a lot of nice things going for it - plus a similar strong sense of cultural identity as Liverpool

I suppose if you like a generic shopping centre that you can find anywhere in the UK. The original rag market was far superior. The city is dirty and has lost a lot of its identity. It has also gone bankrupt...last time I heard.

Large swathes of architecture have been removed and replaced with high rise soulless blocks.

And guns, sadly, along with an awful culture of ‘not snitching.’

That's the one that gets me..... you don't dare snitch on anyone. Also, god forbid anyone who has lost the rose tinted specs ever calling out the truth.

One of my sisters lived in Kensington for a while - she had a few dodgy experiences 😬 This was over 30 years ago mind!
Did anyone else go to Keith's, a little cafe/restaurant near Sefton Park? Don't know if it's still there but I hope it is!
I used to love that on a Sunday, wandering round the park then having some lovely food. The old merchant's houses round Sefton are a reminder that the past is all around you in the buildings.
I lived in a flat on Stanley Street and there was a gorgeous Italian restaurant nearby, not far from the Cavern, but I can't remember the name. Used to meet up with my sisters for a catch up and the food was amazing. Feel a bit nostalgic now!

Liverpool is the only city who have made us feel so incredibly welcome. So friendly, chatty.

Sat in a random bar (I spotted a happy house sign) and young ladies sat on next table and they immediately talked to us, overweight middle aged couple, before you know it they are inviting us to one of their uncles club, which was a fun place. Next day went to a pub for lunch and staff so friendly, landlady insisted on giving us another drink (as it was a hot day!) .... so lovely people

Keith's is still there. Loads of cool places on Lark Lane.
Could it be the Casa Italia?

The rag market was generally a bit shit and full of surly students

they have recently cleaned up the town hall and surrounding buildings - knocked down the horrible walkway, the floozy is still there. The Bullring is hardly generic it’s huge, canal side/ mailbox and Digbeth also improved - I like it

Yeah Casa Italia

I used to work in the NALGO bar next to Radio City - we used to drink in Flannies Apple or the gay pub on the corner with the stairs

That's it! Oh, that makes me happy, thank you. Loved both those places!

It’s the huge cultural impact of the city - the music and football of course. I think it’s more than that though. I think it’s because of the people. I think the Scousers are the only people in England, with perhaps the exception of the Cornish, who are distinct from being English, culturally. This is why I think Liverpool is a very unique place.