Urbanista Magazine is thrilled to spotlight the latest episode of the Misadventures in Music podcast, which dives deep into the rich history of Liverpool’s underground arts and music movement with filmmaker and author Grant McPhee. Known for his critically acclaimed documentaries Teenage Superstars and Big Gold Dream, McPhee takes us on a fascinating journey into the stories behind his upcoming three-part series, The Revolutionary Spirit.
The series unearths the untold narrative of Liverpool’s cultural heartbeat from the mid-60s to 1984—a time that’s often overshadowed by The Beatles’ global dominance. McPhee debunks the misconception that Liverpool’s music scene fell silent after the Fab Four departed for London. Instead, he uncovers a thriving counterculture that flourished in the shadows.
Liverpool: Jung’s “Pool of Life”
The podcast opens with a reflection on Carl Jung’s dream of Liverpool as the “pool of life”—a city he never visited but saw as a beacon of creativity. This dream became symbolic of the city’s enduring spirit and its role as a wellspring for visionary artists. Grant’s work traces the city’s evolution, not as a relic of its Beatles legacy but as a crucible for counterculture movements, epitomized by the Liverpool School of Language, Music, Dream, and Pun.
Peter O’Halligan: The Cultural Catalyst
A central figure in McPhee’s narrative is Peter O’Halligan, the visionary who dreamed of reigniting Liverpool’s cultural flame. O’Halligan transformed an abandoned warehouse into the Liverpool School, hosting legendary performances by Deaf School, the Illuminatus, and early gigs that laid the foundation for the city’s post-punk renaissance. McPhee’s documentary positions O’Halligan as the linchpin connecting Liverpool’s 60s beat poetry era with its explosive post-punk and indie scenes.
A New Look at Post-Beatles Liverpool
The podcast touches on key moments and figures from Liverpool’s underground, including the rise of Eric’s Club and Zoo Records. McPhee highlights how bands like Echo & the Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes, and Big in Japan reshaped Liverpool’s music identity. The stories of rivalries, synchronicities, and cultural tensions are not just local lore—they’re pivotal moments in the history of British music.
Grant’s passion for storytelling is palpable. His meticulous research and commitment to unearthing forgotten stories have given us an intimate look at Liverpool’s “revolutionary spirit.” As McPhee puts it, his role is that of a curator, piecing together lost footage, forgotten interviews, and rare recordings to craft a tapestry that celebrates Liverpool’s underground legacy.
What’s Next for The Revolutionary Spirit?
Listeners of the podcast will be excited to learn that The Pool of Life, the first film in McPhee’s series, is nearing completion. Screened for cast and crew in Liverpool, the documentary is already generating buzz. While McPhee hopes for a wider release through platforms like Sky Arts, the journey to bringing these stories to the public remains a labor of love.
A Soundtrack to Liverpool’s History
McPhee’s playlist for the podcast is a treasure trove of tracks that defined Liverpool’s underground scene. From the proto-punk grit of the Pink Fairies to the lush harmonies of Yachts’ “Love You, Love You,” the selections reflect the city’s rich and diverse musical heritage. As McPhee notes, Liverpool’s influence extends far beyond The Beatles, with each track telling a story of rebellion, reinvention, and artistic obsession.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Liverpool’s music or discovering its underground roots for the first time, this episode of Misadventures in Music is a must-listen. McPhee’s insights are as compelling as the stories he tells, making this an unmissable exploration of one of the UK’s most iconic cultural hubs.
