Liverpool’s storied music scene is being celebrated in a groundbreaking new project by Dorothy, a design studio nestled in the heart of the city’s Baltic Triangle. The initiative, aptly named Scene Here Liverpool, captures the vibrant history of Liverpool’s music culture, tracing connections between iconic venues, bands, and personalities that have defined the city’s soundscape from the 1950s to today.
The result? A meticulously crafted, special-edition print designed by Dorothy, developed in collaboration with customers of Rough Trade’s new store on Hanover Street. This print maps the lifeblood of Liverpool’s music, encompassing legendary venues, groundbreaking bands, and pivotal moments in the city’s cultural history.
A Journey Through Liverpool’s Musical History
The map is an ode to both the renowned and the overlooked. It features landmarks like the Cavern Club, synonymous with The Beatles and Merseybeat bands like Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Liverbirds, Liverpool’s first all-female rock group. The journey continues through the post-punk era with venues like Eric’s, home to Big in Japan, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, to more recent hubs like The Kazimier and Quarry, which nurture emerging talent.
The print doesn’t shy away from celebrating smaller, lesser-known spots that have played equally pivotal roles, such as The Rialto, Palm Grove, and The Mardi Gras. From funk DJ Les Spaine at The Timepiece to the cosmic Scouse sounds of The Coral at The Zanzibar, the project showcases how music has evolved across decades, spaces, and genres in Liverpool.
More Than Music, A Cultural Tapestry
Beyond the venues, Scene Here Liverpool weaves in the city’s broader cultural ecosystem. Institutions like Liverpool College of Art, record stores such as Probe, and grassroots festivals including Larks in the Park and Africa Oye all find their place on the map. It even touches on the dancefloor revolutions led by iconic clubs like Quadrant Park, Cream, and Garlands, as well as modern community-driven spaces like 24 Kitchen Street.
Jim Quail, Director of Dorothy, describes the project as deeply personal.
“When you see beloved venues disappear, it’s heartbreaking. This map is about celebrating and documenting the places that mean so much to so many people,” he shares. Inspired by music writer Emma Warren’s call to “document your culture,” Quail used graphic design to immortalize the soul of Liverpool’s music scene.
A Rough Trade Community Effort
The creation of Scene Here Liverpool has been a collaborative endeavor. Contributions from Rough Trade customers, venue managers, bands, and fans have made this the most ambitious mapping project Dorothy has undertaken. “The scale of Liverpool’s musical history is immense,” Quail explains. “It was clear early on that this would be much bigger and more complex than any project we’ve done before.”
Where to Find It
The first edition of Scene Here Liverpool is available now at Dorothy’s online store and Rough Trade Liverpool. But the journey doesn’t stop there—this is an ongoing project. Fans are encouraged to contribute their memories and insights at Rough Trade, ensuring Liverpool’s music scene continues to live on in vibrant detail.
Dorothy has made a name for itself with intricate music maps, including blueprints of disco history, and has partnered with Rough Trade for over a decade. Their designs are a testament to the power of music and design to preserve cultural heritage.
