We’re thrilled to announce the return of our much-loved Tickle the Ivories piano festival this summer – and this year marks 15 incredible years of music, creativity, and community!

As part of the celebrations, we’re inviting local artists to bring this year’s theme, The Power of Music, to life by designing one of seven pianos that will take pride of place across Liverpool ONE.

This Year’s Theme: The Power of Music

Music has the unique ability to bring people together, connect cultures, and create lasting memories. It heals, uplifts, and expresses what words often can’t. From sparking joy to fuelling social change, music truly has the power to transform lives — and we want to see how you interpret that message through art.

Celebrating Brad Kella

One piano will shine a spotlight on an inspiring local talent – Brad Kella. Born in Bootle and raised through adversity, Brad’s journey from living on the streets to winning Channel 4’s The Piano is nothing short of incredible. He first played on a Tickle the Ivories piano here at Liverpool ONE, and we were proud to welcome him back to perform at our Christmas events.

To celebrate Brad’s story and how music changed his life, we’re commissioning a special design dedicated to him.

What We’re Looking For

We’re on the lookout for 7 talented artists:

• 1 piano design inspired by Brad Kella’s story
• 6 piano designs inspired by the theme: The Power of Music

You can submit one or more designs – for Brad’s tribute piano, for the theme, or both! We’ll be selecting seven different artists, each of whom will design and decorate a piano that will be showcased across Liverpool ONE this summer.

Please submit an initial proposal by: 9am on Monday 19 May 2025. Deadline for final artwork submissions: 9am on Monday 9 June 2025.