Following on from band Haim teasing the cover of their new single Take Me Back with Manchester’s Portland Street in the background, a new, interactive map has emerged which shows all the Liverpool locations behind some of the biggest hits. Launched by National Rail, the Musical Routes – Behind the Tracks map contains hundreds of places featured in the songs, music artwork and music videos of Britain’s favourite artists – with dozens of places across Liverpool and the North West featured.
Would you believe us if we told you that big-name artists like Taylor Swift, The Beatles and Pink Floyd have used Liverpool as the backdrop for their music videos? Yeah, neither would we, but it’s true!
According to the Musical Routes map, Locations in Liverpool include the Cunard Building, used as a key location for the music video to I Can See You by Taylor Swift, and Penny Lane, the inspiration behind The Beatles’ 1967 hit of the same name. Other songs such as Don’t Forget Who You Are by Miles Kane are highlighted, where Liverpool’s Rampworx Skatepark and Aintree station feature in the music video.
From stations to stadiums, hotels to high schools, bars to record shops, the stories that connect these Liverpool spots to famous artists are all revealed on the map.
In addition, National Rail has launched a new series of audio guides, narrated by legendary broadcaster Jo Whiley, with contributions from DJ Yinka Bokinni and former All Saint Melanie Blatt. The guides cover key geographical areas of Britain and reveal the links they have with a range of homegrown and international acts – plus how music fans can explore these locations by train.
Manchester of course features again – with an insightful and revealing musical guide to Manchester, Liverpool and the North West. Rail travellers can hear the stories that go behind the record stores, streets and railways that inspired Northern legends from Oasis to the Beatles.
Jo Whiley, DJ and broadcaster said: “Locations in Britain and the railway have been a source of inspiration for music artists for as long as I can remember. There’s no better way to connect with the music and artists you love than going to see the locations that inspired them in person, which is why I’ve worked with the rail industry on a new series of audio guides, and encourage people to use their new interactive map to plan their next musical adventure by train.”
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO at Rail Delivery Group, explained: “With this year marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway we wanted to highlight the role rail has played in inspiring music artists and how it continues to help connect Britons to the people, places and experiences they love. It was great to team up with Jo again on a new series of audio guides, which are now available alongside an interactive map that highlights 200 locations that have inspired some of the nation’s favourite songs, music videos, album artwork and are easily accessible by train.”
You can find the Musical Routes map as well as more on the audio guides here.