Liverpool's Culture Company put on a terrific show last night to launch the Echo Arena and the city's 2008 celebrations.
Following on from Friday night's open air triumph in the traditional setting of Lime Street and St George's Hall, this was the turn for the new Liverpool to be put through its paces, in the shape of the stunning 10,000 seat waterfront arena. It did not disappoint.

The atmosphere with a sell-out crowd in the arena was electrifying, and the show was a hugely impressive companion piece to Friday night's event.
The set was tremendous, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performing from several tiers of "Celebrity Squares"-style cubes at the rear of the stage, with a transparent screen in front of them onto which a series of films was projected telling the story of Liverpool.
Vasily Petrenko was on stage for most of the evening conducting the orchesta and choir, who played familiar classics like Jerusalem and Rule Brittania, but also accompanied many of the rock bands who performed.
We had music from a host of stars, including Echo and the Bunnymen, the Wombats, the wonderful Connie Lush, and The Farm, who had everyone on their feet singing along to "All Together Now".
The finale was left to Ringo Starr, reprising his new Liverpool song from Friday night, before rounding off the night with a couple of surefire crowd-pleasers - "With a Little Help from My Friends", and John Lennon's "Power to the People", for which the whole cast rejoined him on stage.
Ringo was exuberant. "I'm that close to moving back!" he told the audience, and just at that moment, I think he really meant it.
Were you there? If so, I'd love to hear what you thought of the event. With over 100 accredited international journalists in attendance, one thing is for sure. It will certainly help raise worldwide awareness of our Capital of Culture year to a new level.

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