On the evening of June 22, 2025, the vibrant atmosphere at Liverpool's On The Waterfront Festival was abruptly shattered when Lionel Duke, the 58-year-old drummer for British band The Christians, collapsed on stage just two songs into their set. The incident, which occurred at the iconic Liverpool Pier Head, forced the festival to halt temporarily, leaving thousands of fans in stunned silence as emergency medical teams rushed to the scene.
The Christians, a band with deep roots in Liverpool and a celebrated history dating back to the 1980s, were performing on the last night of the four-day music extravaganza. The festival, founded in 2021, has quickly become a highlight of the city's cultural calendar, drawing tens of thousands of attendees each year. This year’s lineup included notable headliners such as The Wombats, The Wolfe Tones, Cream Classical Ibiza, and the Grammy-winning Sting, who was scheduled to close the event.
As the band played, an alarming moment unfolded when Lionel Duke suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest on stage. Lead singer Garry Christian immediately shouted for medical assistance, his voice filled with urgency and concern. Medics swiftly responded, performing four rounds of CPR in a tense and emotional effort to save Duke’s life. To maintain privacy and manage the crowd, a black screen was erected around the drummer, while a large LED display reassured the audience: "We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can."
Emma Roberts, the band's manager and wife of Garry Christian, later provided a heartfelt update. Speaking to the crowd and media, she revealed that Duke had undergone a lifesaving operation and was currently in an induced coma at Broadgreen Hospital. "We’re really hoping he is going to make it," she said, describing the harrowing moments when he initially had no pulse but was revived. "He goes swimming every day, and he used to be a bouncer, so he does loads of exercise... we are all just really shocked and very upset," Roberts added. She also shared that Duke’s 21-year-old son was by his bedside, underscoring the personal toll on the family and band.
Fans and fellow musicians alike were deeply moved by the incident. The Christians had earlier expressed their gratitude on social media to the "phenomenal team of medics" who acted swiftly to assist Duke. The band’s spirit remained strong despite the trauma, reportedly encouraging Sting to proceed with his headline performance later that evening.
When Sting, the former Police frontman, took to the stage to close the festival, he addressed the crowd with a somber yet hopeful message. "The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him," he said, dedicating his final song, "How Fragile We Are," to Duke. This marked Sting’s first performance in Liverpool since 1979, and he expressed his affection for the city, calling it "the most historic music city in the world for obvious reasons." He also reflected on Liverpool’s resemblance to his hometown of Wallsend, North Tyneside, adding a personal touch to the emotional night.
The Christians’ history is as rich as their music. Formed in 1985 by Garry Christian and his brothers Roger and Russell, the band rose to prominence with their self-titled debut album, which reached number two on the UK charts and became the highest-selling debut album for Island Records at the time. Roger Christian passed away in 1998 after battling a brain tumour, and Russell left the band in 2005. Despite these challenges, The Christians have continued to perform and connect with fans, their music resonating across generations.
On The Waterfront Festival, which began just four years ago, has quickly established itself as a major cultural event in Liverpool, celebrating the city’s musical heritage and vibrant arts scene. Last year, the festival attracted 45,000 attendees, a testament to its growing popularity. This year’s lineup showcased a diverse range of artists, with The Christians and Sting providing standout performances, even as the day was overshadowed by the medical emergency.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from fans, fellow musicians, and the local community. The swift response of the medical teams at the festival was widely praised, with Roberts saying, "I couldn't believe how good they were. There were so many medics on stage really quickly." The event also highlighted the unpredictability and fragility of live performances, where moments of joy can suddenly turn into scenes of crisis.
As of now, no further updates on Lionel Duke’s condition have been released publicly. The band, festival organizers, and fans remain hopeful for his recovery. The night’s events serve as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the music and the resilience of those who create it.
