About

Our 2017 festival was a huge success with a wide variety of performers taking part; From solo classical pianists wowing us with everything from Beethoven to dance classics like Faithless – Insomnia. We’ve had school choirs, theatre groups and even Darth Vader making the odd appearance!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to promote your act, have a go at busking or simply indulge your passion for performing.

Tickle the Ivories is open to professional and amateur musicians, bands, community groups, choirs, musical theatre groups and school music groups/choirs. All Tickle the Ivories performers are licensed to busk and keep all the proceeds they make. Please read the Code of Practice for more information.

Share your performance with us online using #tickletheivories

Free play sessions

Tickle the Ivories is open for free play sessions daily when the pianos are not booked, any member of the public is free to play any tune they know. These sessions are also licensed for busking.

Charity Collections

If you wish to collect for a charity you must apply for a charity permit from Liverpool ONE. Information can be found on our community involvement page.

On certain occasions, we may have to remove a piano for repairs. Please use alternative pianos if the one you would like to play is not available. To protect the pianos in wet weather we may keep the outdoor ones in storage and they will be put out as soon as weather improves. This may affect the pianos on Paradise Street, College Lane and Sugar House Steps.

Tickle the Ivories 2018   

Free Play – Paradise / Galleria

Saturday 29.9.18 

Lower South John Street

12pm – 1pm      Frank McFarlane

A blind performer with many years of tickling the ivories under his belt. He’s a Liverpool treasure. Come and enjoy songs from the shows, and maybe a classical piece thrown in for good measure!

1pm – 2pm        Josh Elms – Piano

A young pianist playing songs from a wide range of genres.

2pm – 3pm        Rock Choir

The UK’s favourite contemporary choir!

College Lane

11am – 12pm    Andrea Otero

Playing a range of classical and modern music to entertain.

12pm – 1pm      Billy the Hat

A mix of songs from a talented and eclectic man of the keys!

Sugar House Steps

12pm – 1pm      Hillyer McKeown LLP

Piano player accompanied by group of solo singers.

2pm – 3pm        LADC Choir

Local choir performing to raise money for charity.

Sunday 30.9.18 

Lower South John Street

12pm – 1pm      Harrison Crane

Harrison Crane returns to Tickle the Ivories after last year’s stunning performance.

Sugar House Steps

12pm – 1pm      Andrew Fisher

The human jukebox who plays all sorts of classic pop, rock, funk, soul covers!

2pm – 4pm        Showstoppers

An afternoon of songs from Stage, Screen and TV.

Keys Court

3pm – 4pm        Frank McFarlane

A blind performer with many years of tickling the ivories under his belt. He’s a Liverpool treasure. Come and enjoy songs from the shows, and maybe a classical piece thrown in for good measure!