jan 15 2008 opening (2)

THEY were never going to please all of the people all of the time. The Culture Opening ceremonies take a bit of a pasting today.

First in line is Scouse rapper RiUvEn who performed on Saturday night.

Greg Murphy describes is a 'huge blunder.'

'Four months after Rhys Jones' murder, tell me how does a rapper boasting about "gonna f**** kill someone" and car crime - the whole rap-menu basically - get a major ticket to highlight the city's culture?

'The broadcast of this "artist" on BBC2 Sunday night made us a laughing stock.'

Come on then, Nige;l Jamieson and Jayne Casey, opening ceremony producers. Come on the Culture Company. Why did you let this young man loose on the world?

Greg wasn't the only one to get stuck into the rapper. We took several calls at the Echo and I've heard the same feedback from pals.

The Echo Arena itself though seems to be a starring act, Tony Ellis praises the wheelchair access while Alan says the arena is 'just fantastic'.

Alan though, tears into Friday's event, calling it a terrible anti-climax and syas there were no 'I was there' moments.

What do you think?

...