People of Liverpool do not need to “look any further than your doorstep to be inspired”, according to local singer-songwriter Jamie Webster.
Speaking at Liverpool Sound City festival conference yesterday, Friday April 28, the Scouse star spoke of his love for Liverpool and the hardship of establishing himself in his own right away from his association with Liverpool FC. Since breaking through a number of years ago, the 29-year-old has emerged as one of the most successful artists the city has produced - selling out the M&S Bank arena in 2022 with two shows at the Pier Head to come this summer.
The songwriter has also had two top 10 albums. He revealed that he is set to complete his third effort at some point this year.
READ MORE: Rail workers to strike on day of Eurovision Song Contest final
In terms of his own music, he explained how his lyrics aim to "walk the line of a working class life" while nodding to the city’s musical history as a key influence. Bob Dylan was also cited as a major inspiration.
As part of a Q&A, he said: “You haven’t got to look any further than the Beatles for inspiration. You don’t have to look further than your doorstep to be inspired in Liverpool."
Noting how he writes around "real life stories", he added: “Working class people face the same troubles, hardships and escapes. It’s not about location, it is about the situation.”
Away from his own music, he touched on the initial struggles to be separated from his association with Liverpool FC. Parts of his profile were built up playing LFC fan shows and at events staged around the European Cup Finals the Reds have reached.
He told the conference: "It was hard. It got me down. People acted as though I was property of LFC."
Jamie recalled how it sometimes went to the other extreme. At one of his own shows, where he was playing only original music, he said someone climbed on stage and threatened to pull the plug if he didn’t play the now famous ‘Alez Alez Alez' chant.
Returning to his love for the city and the opportunities it has offered him, he added: "The people of Liverpool have backed me to the end of the earth. [People come up to me and] show videos of kids playing guitar. It’s amazing.
“I’ll never take it for granted. I would rather lose everything and still have the respect that I have here.”
Get all the latest Eurovision 2023 news straight to your inbox
READ NEXT:
'Don't say nothing' - How Paul Russell faced up to his crimes and did the right thing in the end
Woman falsely claimed £50,000 government loan and only paid back £1,000
Eight suspected dealers named after raids across city
Order your 48-page Eurovision souvenir guide from our online shop
