One Good Thing in 2015: Jane Weaver, Laura Robertson & Walter Meierjohann

If you had to list just one thing you’re looking forward to this year, what would it be? We ask some of the north’s cultural movers and shakers.

To mark the launch of our Cultural Calendar 2015, we asked some of our favourite people to tell us the one thing they were looking forward to most this year. This time, it’s the turn of singer-songwriter Jane Weaver, co-founder of The Double Negative Laura Robertson, and Artistic Director of Theatre for HOME, Walter Meierjohann.

Jane Weaver: The 1960s at the Whitworth

I live in Marple so day trips into Manchester for pleasure are unfortunately less frequent these days – but that said, I’ll definitely be making a date for the reopening of the Whitworth. The 1960s, one of the gallery’s ten opening exhibitions, particularly caught my attention; I’m a fan of Bridget Riley’s work in particular. As an important British female artist she had a huge influence on the musical environment that I grew up with, providing the visual impetus for record labels like Vertigo and bands like Faust. It’s always good, and perhaps vital, to see Op Art exhibited in the flesh too. Jane Weaver is a singer-songwriter and runs the record label, Bird.

Laura Roberston: LIV-BCN

I’m really looking forward to LIV-BCN – a tiny, independent festival happening in Liverpool (July) and Barcelona (June). Think Primavera Sound spliced with Liverpool Sound City, Designival and Lunya: an eclectic, spicy mix of independent music, design, illustration and gastronomy. This year’s programme is still a secret, but we do know that a dedicated exhibition, screenings, specialist drinks and extended gig line-up is planned over multiple venues. If last year’s vermouth-soaked party is anything to go by LIV-BCN is going to be a blast. See you at the front. Laura Robertson is the co-founder of The Double Negative.

Walter Meierjohann: Autumn. Winter. Spring.

I am very much looking forward to seeing the development of Autumn. Winter. Spring by Manchester company Quarantine in 2015. This is an ongoing process, and no dates are announced for 2015 – but it follows on from their hugely successful show Summer which premiered in June last year. I think they are doing fantastic work! All four parts will be presented in 2016. Walter Meierjohann is the Artistic Director for Theatre for HOME.