National Museums Liverpool (NML) is giving audiences new ways to experience art and culture in 2024, with a range of digital series aimed at uncovering untold stories and exploring Liverpool’s rich cultural world with fresh perspectives.

Frequent visitors and new audiences alike can look forward to the relaunch of the NML podcast from 1 February, which will take a behind the scenes look at some of Liverpool’s best-known cultural institutions. Popular YouTube music series Museum Sessions returns from 8 February to showcase a range of local talent performing in awe-inspiring NML venues, and 15 February will see the return of What Artists Wear, delving into the wardrobes of artists from across the North West – also on the NML YouTube channel.

The NML podcast gets underway with the story of legendary Liverpool music venue Eric’s – founder Ken Testi discusses how it became a key venue on the international touring circuit in the 1970’s, and the musicians who worked with some of Liverpool’s greatest musical exports. Future episodes will explore the cultural renaissance of the Bombed Out Church, a growing sub-culture of women fans in football, the importance of biodiversity in Liverpool and a look inside the Wirral fantasy world, Ron’s Place.

NML’s YouTube music show Museum Sessions returns for its third series – with musicians from across the Liverpool City Region giving intimate performances in NML venues. The series begins with Disco in Sochi performing at the Walker Art Gallery, with future episodes coming from Lily Almond in the cellars of Maritime Museum, Kingfast at the Museum of Liverpool, Ruby J at the Walker Art Gallery, Ex-Easter Island Head in the Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Building – and a performance from Edgar Jones on board the Edmund Gardner pilot ship in the Docks.

What Artists Wear sees NML explore the fashion and style of local creatives, and how these outfits align with their creative identity. For series two, performer Meme Gold, artist Mollie Balshaw, painter Jasmine Gardner, DJ and poet PJ Smith, musician Mickey Callisto and fashion designer Drew Kent talk viewers through their eclectic styles and how their fashion informs their art.

David Lally, Digital Content Lead at National Museums Liverpool, said:

“Our museums and galleries are at the heart of the city’s cultural offering, but we never want to be confined solely to our bricks and mortar institutions

“These digital series’ give us the opportunity to step outside the museum walls, bringing a flavour of what we do direct to our audiences digitally. It’s really important for us to support and promote the artists, venues and organisations that make Liverpool and the surrounding areas a vibrant hub for creativity.”

The first episode of the NML podcast will be released on 1 February, with Museum Sessions following on 8 February and What Artists Wear premiering on YouTube from 15 February. Find out more at liverpoolmuseums.org.uk and tune in on the NML YouTube channel – youtube.com/nationalmuseumsliverpool.