The Florrie's Big Guitar-in at St Georges Hall, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

'Christmas has started' as hundreds of guitarists gather to play Fairytale of New York

by · Liverpool Echo

The setlist included renditions of iconic songs such as Merry Christmas Everyone and Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?

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Hundreds of musicians filled St George's Halls for the 2024 Big Guitar-In. The event saw guitarists of all different ages and abilities come together inside the Grade I listed building on Tuesday, November 3.

The musicians gathered in the Great Hall for the fourth instalment of The Florrie-organised event, headlined by Red Rum Club. They were joined by the likes of The Stamp, Banners and Ellis Murphy for renditions of Christmas hits from Shakin' Stevens, The Pogues' Fairytale of New York as well as Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?

The event marked a remarkable culmination of musical talent and community spirit, celebrating the power of music to unite and uplift individuals during the busy Christmas period. This year set a new record with 601 guitarists joining forces to play as one – surpassing last year’s achievement of 600.

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Timothy Tierney, community coordinator at The Florrie, told the ECHO: “I used to play in a band and got butterflies when I played at gigs. So, to see hundreds of people have that same feeling of being made up and energetic in one room is unreal.

"They have this adrenaline and enthusiasm on their face, shaking hands, and that's what it's all about. Christmas has started tonight with this event."

Proceeds from the event will support The Florrie’s ongoing mission to preserve and maintain its building, ensuring it can continue to serve as a vital social, cultural, and charitable hub for Liverpool’s L8 community.

Timothy added: "Single-handley, The Florrie does a lot. It teaches so many people how to pick up an instrument and play. Getting on that guitar and singing makes you feel good and promotes your well-being, mental health and positivity.

“Having music in your life does so much, and that's what the Florrie does as well. I’ve been in this job for nine years, and I’ve seen how many people hold The Florrie in their heart. Without it, the world would be much worse off. People come in in dire situations, and the place saves lives. It turns them around from being at the worst point of their life."

  1. Hundreds of musicians filled St George's Halls for the 2024 Big Guitar-In
    1 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. The event saw guitarists of all different ages and abilities come together
    2 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. The musicians gathered in the Great Hall for the fourth instalment of The Florrie-organised event
    3 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. The event was headlined by the Red Rum Club
    4 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. The event marked a remarkable culmination of musical talent and community spirit
    5 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. They were joined by the likes of The Stamp, Banners and Ellis Murphy for renditions of Christmas hits
    6 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. The event celebrated the power of music to unite and uplift individuals during the busy Christmas period
    7 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. This year set a new record with 601 guitarists joining forces to play as one – surpassing last year’s achievement of 600
    8 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. The event saw guitarists of all different ages and abilities come together inside St George's Hall
    9 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. Proceeds from the event will support The Florrie’s ongoing mission to preserve and maintain its building
    10 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. The Florrie's Big Guitar-in at St Georges Hall, Liverpool
    11 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. The event marked a remarkable culmination of musical talent and community spirit
    12 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. This year set a new record with 601 guitarists joining forces to play as one – surpassing last year’s achievement of 600
    13 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. This year set a new record with 601 guitarists joining forces to play as one – surpassing last year’s achievement of 600
    14 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. The event was headlined by The Red Rum Club
    15 of 15(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)