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Sir Paul McCartney has confirmed he will headline the Liverpool Sound Concert as part of the celebrations to mark Liverpool08.

Ringo will play on St George's Hall roof

Fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr will also return home to perform on the roof of St George's Hall in a dramatic opening ceremony ahead of the 'Liverpool The Musical' which will see Eurythmic Dave Stewart and the Lightening Seed's Ian Broudie live at the opening of the new Liverpool Arena.

The announcement coincided with the launch of a ticket ballot, for a number of major events including the Liverpool Sound Concert and the Opening Event at the Liverpool Arena.

The Bluecoat Gallery and Gardens reopen

The full programme, announced by culture boss Phil Redmond, will see collaborations between the Liverpool Culture Company and major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool Merseyside.

Highlights include 'An Audience with Shankly' a mixed media theatre based on the life of the Liverpool FC legend, 'Eric's the Musical' telling the story of the nightclub, an opera based around the Adelphi Hotel and an dance meets club culture production 'Homotopia's Liverpool is burning'.

Auguste Rodin's The Kiss 1901-4 @ Tate

There is also focus on community projects involving school children in the city and local neighbourhoods offering many free events and a citywide public art programme commissioned by the Liverpool Culture Company in association with the Liverpool Biennial. 

The Tate Liverpool will bring a range of world-class art to the city including work by Gustav Klimt and Niki de Saint Phalle. And the year will also see the re-opening of the Bluecoat after a £12.5 million facelift.

The year-long programme of public art and street theatre will also see public parks, plazas, pavilions and transport come to life. For the full year long programme click on the link below.

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