Features

But first, here’s a reminder of some of the best moments from Liverpool’s biggest year.

Ringo

The opening ceremony in January saw former Beatle Ringo Starr return to the city to perform a song especially written for the new Capital of Culture. He performed ‘Liverpool 8” live on top of St George’s Hall with former Eurythmic Dave Stewart as dancers dressed as construction workers danced on rooftops across the city.

© Ben Johnson 2008. All Rights Reserved

Cityscape

In May artist Ben Johnson worked ‘live’ on a large scale art piece Liverpool Cityscape at the Walker Art Gallery. Famous city landmarks were reproduced in amazing detail as members of the public were invited to visit the gallery and watch him at work.

Klimt

Also in May, the first comprehensive exhibition of Gustav Klimt’s work ever staged in the UK arrived at Tate Liverpool. The exhibition explored Klimt’s role in the Viennese Secession, a progressive group of artists and included work from all stages of Klimt’s career.

Go Superlambananas!

As if by magic in June 125 Superlambananas popped up across the city overnight. The ‘Supelambs’, as they became known, were created by artists and communities from Liverpool and appeared at sites across the region. Did you spot them all? Take a look at the map we created from the photos you sent to us.

Tall Ships

Tall Ships

Over 70 historic sailed left the Mersey in July on their voyage from Liverpool's quaysides and docks to the Netherlands. Were you one of the thousands of people who lined the banks of the Mersey to see them off?

Giant Spider

In September a spectacular giant creature awoke in Liverpool city centre. For five days the huge mechanical spider, nicknamed ‘La Princess’, gracefully crawled through the city streets captivating thousands of people before vanishing into the Mersey Tunnel.

MTV Awards

The global music channel descended on the city as the European Music Awards were staged at the Liverpool Arena. The ceremony included performances from the world’s biggest bands and saw former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney named ultimate legend.

Here's what some of the staff at BBC Radio Merseyside remember most.

The giant spider in Liverpool

Pauline McAdam, BBC Radio Merseyside:

"My favourite part of 08 turned out to be the bit I dreaded the most. As a lifelong arachnophobe (well since one nearly ate me when I was three) I was dreading the B movie horror of La Machine. I didn't care how majestic it's eight gigantic spidery legs were - I don't do spiders.

But then after several days hiding in our studios I was persuaded to peek at it on the Saturday evening as it "woke up" and began it's walk up Church Street. Tempted as I was initially to join the seven year old boy bawling outside TopShop, I was entranced in spite of myself and loved the whole Jules Verne nature of the thing.

Still can't get one out of the bath though".

Steve Coleman, BBC Radio Merseyside Producer:

"I remember broadcasting live from Egremont with Billy Butler for the Tall Ships.
There they were, Ships in all their splendour, sailing out to sea, when our attention was grabbed by what appeared to be a car listing from left to right in the middle of the Mersey.

It looked as if it was sinking but after 10 minutes it drove up the bank right in front of us. The police had escorted a man driving an amphibious car to safety.

We managed to grab an interview with him live but he was reluctant... he hadn't told his wife he was going out for a drive... sail... or whatever you call it!!"

Lindsay Prosser, BBC North West Tonight:

"I took my young children to see La Machine. They were absolutely enthralled and both cried when La Princess left, she'd completely captivated them.

As the spider awoke on the Saturday it was the most incredible sight. My daughter turned to me and said "Mummy this is the chance of a lifetime".

Along with tens of thousand of other people we followed the spider through the city centre and were caught up in the excitement and wonderment of the day.

The way La Princess moved was fascinating and her performances were magical. I don't think I will ever experience anything like that again".

Wayne Clarke, BBC Radio Merseyside Presenter:

My highlight of 2008 was the “Festival of Hope” in June.

For one whole Saturday Hope Street was closed to traffic and took on a carnival atmosphere. There were eight music stages, loads of street performers and people enjoying themselves. It was organised by the churches of the region, but included people of all backgrounds from all parts of the local community.

Councillor Mike Storey said of the Festival of Hope: “here, on the streets, this is what the Capital of Culture is all about. The Capital of Culture starts here.”

For me it summed up what 2008 is all about: making music, enjoying being together, expressing what really matters to us. An unforgettable day.

Spencer Leigh, BBC Radio Merseyside Presenter:

The cynics have been proved wrong: the Capital of Culture year has been astoundingly successful, especially from Paul McCartney’s concert at Anfield onwards. This was a turning-point as well as an exhilarating event. I was thrilled that McCartney opened with “Hippy Hippy Shake” which he hadn’t performed since his Cavern days. However, McCartney had performed many of the songs a thousand times before and on balance, I preferred the innovative tribute from Liverpool artists to Buddy Holly on the fiftieth anniversary of the bespectacled one playing the Philharmonic Hall. The Liverpool Number 1’s concert at the new Arena also worked very well and I even enjoyed the girls from Hollyoaks singing Lita Roza’s “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window”.

In terms of art, I was very impressed with the Gustav Klimt exhibition at the Tate Gallery, but less impressed with the man himself. The “18+” section (which I had never seen in an art gallery before) showed that he was really a dirty old man. I did, however, purchase a splendid Klimt patterned tie which is admired wherever I go.

Tony Brown’s “100 Heads Thinking As One” has been a very rewarding project, both as a celebration of the city and as developing a new way of portraiture. Look at them from a distance and you see the people: look closely and you see what makes them tick. Throughout the year, I enjoyed the way that public art was available throughout the city, but putting a health and safety warning on Yoko Ono’s stepladders was totally daft. The super Superlambanana parade at St George’s Hall was both iconic, thought-provoking and funny.

The one art exhibition that surprised me was Le Corbusier in the vaults of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Before I went, I thought that Le Corbusier was responsible for giant tower blocks. I learnt that was an unfair reputation and also came out with a much greater knowledge of this multi-talented man.

There have been many memorable theatre events although the much-heralded “Eric’s” and “King Lear” were disappointing: “Eric’s” because of its unnecessary subplot about the author’s illness and “King Lear” because the director contrived to make a complicated play even more difficult. How can you have a swordfight in a world of machine guns? I felt like shouting, “What year are we in?”, and I guarantee that none of the cast would have known. The Royal Court’s “Misery” with Andrew Schofield was exceptionally good drama, but for consistently first-class and intriguing productions, my vote goes to LIPA, whose programme included “The Boys In The Photograph” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton. I was sitting by Ben Elton and I did feel that it wasn’t right that the author should lead the standing ovation!

Despite all these riches, my cultural highlight has been easy to select: Sir Ranulph Fiennes at the Liverpool Playhouse in September. This was a talk by a man who knew no fear and his feats (as well as his feet!) were amazing. He hated being beaten by anyone, especially the French. He is quite mad of course but brilliant with it, and a totally driven individual. He told us that climbing the north face of the Eiger was his way of conquering vertigo. If there is a greater Englishman alive, I’ve no idea who he is.

What was your 'wow' moment of 08? Add your comments below.