Nile Rodgers is set to headline the first of his two shows at Salt and Tar tonight, reprising his special connection to Merseyside. The 73-year-old funk pioneer will play the final two nights of the Bootle festival, bringing the curtain down in style.
Why Scousers love his music
Rodgers regularly performs in the region and spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview in 2024 ahead of a headline show at the M&S Bank Arena. He said: "When I try and analyse it, one way they appreciate it on a primal level. It makes you feel like dancing and singing and grooving. Then they start to comprehend the lyrics, the intellectual level and whatever message we're trying to convey."
He added: "Even though a lot of times it may sound very trite, the reason why I use the phrase deep hidden meaning is because the songs have to mean something to me otherwise I can't write it. I am not smart enough. I do not know how to."
A Scouser saves the day
Rodgers also loves exploring the city centre. He said: "I love it, man. The performance part is very cool but what's really cool, and the thing that's great about Liverpool for me, is when I walk around. I go to the canals and the docks. We don't have anything like that [in America]. I meet people all along the way and they're inviting me into their house for tea. I've never experienced anything like that. The people of Liverpool are just so damn friendly."
He added: "Liverpool has got a different vibe. The Scouser thing is just so cool. I don't know how to explain it, but I just notice that it's different and Liverpool is very special."
This kindness was shown first-hand when he was in the city producing The Zutons' 2024 album, The Big Decider. Struggling to get back to his hotel with his heavy guitar kit after a busy day recording, a man from Liverpool stepped in. Rodgers said: "I was standing in the corner trying to hail a taxi. For some reason my Uber connection was taking too long. And then some dude drove up and said, 'Hey want me to drop you off?' I said ok, cool and we went right down the block."
The driver initially didn't realise who he was helping, but his friend in the passenger seat was gobsmacked when he realised they were in the presence of music royalty. Rodgers said: "What happened was when we got in the car, the other person who got in the car was like, hey do you know who that is. I felt a little bit weird. The guy who was with him was getting all into it."
Salt and Tar festival line-up
Billy Ocean, The Waterboys and The Saw Doctors have played the previous three nights of the Salt and Tar festival, which is taking place in the extended outdoor area at Lock and Quay this year. The Waterboys share a special connection to Liverpool, as their song Whole of the Moon is a Scouse anthem. Frontman Mike Scott said ahead of his Friday gig in Bootle: "I love our connection to Liverpool. Love the city, love the music love the people. Always loved you. One man once told me that we were a real Scally band. This was back in 1989 and it's one of the proudest moments of my life."
