Listen: Liverpool’s famous Scouse accent

by Annie Scott on

If you’ve ever been to Liverpool, one thing you surely remember about Liverpudlians (no really, that’s what they’re called) is their distinctive accent. If you haven’t been to Liverpool and you think you know what they sound like there, read on.

“Scouse,” as the accent is called, is an expressive, melodic speech comprised of emphatic vowels punctuated with harsh rasps. Think less of the Beatles (their accents were rather posh by the time we got to know them) and more of … well, there are surprisingly few good examples of Liverpool accents in mainstream US TV and movies — odd, because they’re very popular in UK television. “Hollyoaks”, for example is set in a fictional suburb of nearby Chester and is a goldmine for Scouse, both real and feigned. Dancin’ Through the Dark has some proper Scousers, if you can get your hands on it.

The BBC attributes Scouse to Irish and Welsh influences in Liverpool, and calls it a fairly new dialect, noting that it only developed a distinction from the Lancashire accent in the mid 19th century. Today, teenagers speak fairly differently from their grandparents, a sign that the accent is still evolving.

On my recent trip to Liverpool, I happened to meet one particularly choice Scouser — none other that Erica Dillon from Visit Liverpool. She graciously permitted me to tape her accent, so I got her talking about Liverpool, and here it is, folks.

It’s hard to listen to that without reflexively attempting to imitate some of the words. Scouse is fascinating. Thanks, Erica!

This trip was paid for by VisitBritain and VisitLiverpool, but the ideas and opinions expressed in the article above are 100% my own.

Liverpool Hard Days Night hotel offers the real Beatles experience

by Scott Carmichael on

Beatles fan? Sure, the Amsterdam Hilton may be the one that made it to one of their songs, but the “Hard Days Night” hotel is located in the city where it all began.

This Liverpool hotel features standard and deluxe rooms decorated with Beatles posters, but it is their Lennon and McCartney suites that really show off the Beatles Theme.

Rooms start at GBP85 (about $135) per night. The hotel is also home to an art gallery, showing pop related artwork.

You’ll find the hotel,and its reservations page here.

17,000 people overtake London Liverpool street station – for a Flashmob

by Scott Carmichael on

Flashmobbing is not new – in fact, the last time a massive flashmob took place at a railway station, it became one of the most popular posts we’ve ever covered here on Gadling.

This newest flashmob took place in London several days ago, and all started when a Facebook member saw a TV commercial for T-Mobile.

Inspired by the dance routines in that commercial, he invited a couple of friends to the station so they could have a little fun.

And of course, with the way social networks operate, a couple of friends invited their friends, who invited some of their friends, and this eventually turned into 17,000 people making their way towards Liverpool street station.

Check out the video for yourself. The event was so successful that more of them are being planned, but nothing beats the spontaneous kind of gathering put together by a single Facebook message.

Beatlemania returns to Liverpool

by Iva Skoch on

Since Liverpool is the The European Capital of Culture for 2008, the “Liverpudlians” have scheduled some interesting events–namely concerts–for this year. The local authorities have invited Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to help present Liverpool as the place to be. Liverpool hopes to attract people to come here and celebrate its link with the Beatles.

You can’t escape references to the Beatles in Liverpool, from the moment you arrive at the “John Lennon Airport”, go to the “Cavern Club” on Matthew Street, “Penny Lane”, to the time you brush your teeth at the “Hard Day’s Night” Hotel.

The biggest event of the year will probably be the Liverpool Sound concert Paul McCartney is hosting on June 1 at the Anfield soccer stadium.

Europe has been naming a “European Capital of Culture” every year since 1985. Usually it is actually two cities or regions that get a chance to show off their culture. Last year, it was Sibiu (Romania) and Luxembourg. The European Capital of Culture for 2008 are Stavanger/Sandness (Norway) and Liverpool (UK).

International Beatles Week

by Martha Edwards on

Attention Beatles fans: Love is not all you need if you want tickets to the headlining events of International Beatles Week in Liverpool — you’ll need money and you’ll need to move fast because space is limited. That said, the festival looks like a grand old time for fans of the fab four, or really, anyone.

It kicks off August 22 and features a number of events, including markets, conventions, art shows, an auction, autograph sessions and much more. Oh, and there’s music. Lots and lots of music. Concerts take place at various venues throughout Liverpool and though none of the names are a big as the festival’s namesake, they’re worth checking out.

(via Fly Away Cafe)