John Cale announces Velvet Underground & Nico gig in Liverpool

John Cale has announced details of a major open-air gig in Liverpool next year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Velvet Underground & Nico.

The show at Liverpool Docklands on 26 May is the only European date for Cale's celebration of the Velvet Underground's iconic debut LP, with the album to be played in full alongside a specially assembled band at a purpose-built stage facing towards the Atlantic Ocean. Widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in history, The Velvet Underground & Nico will only be played again in full at one further show in New York.

Announcing the gig, Cale said: "I'm often reluctant to spend too much time on things past – then, a time marker shows up – The Velvet Underground & Nico turns fifty! As so many bands can attest to, it is the fulfillment of the ultimate dream to record your first album.

"We were an unfriendly brand, dabbling in a world of challenging lyrics and weird sonics that didn't fit into anyone's playlist at the time. Remaining ferociously true to our viewpoints, Lou (Reed) and I never doubted for a moment we could create something to give a voice to things not regularly explored in rock music at the time. That bizarre combination of four distinctly disparate musicians and a reluctant beauty queen perfectly summed up what it meant to be The Velvet Underground.”

Tickets for the show go on sale on Fri 28 Oct at 9am.