The show must go on!
UNITED WE STREAM WILL BROADCAST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AROUND THE WORLD EVERY NIGHT
GREATER Manchester’s nightlife is to be live-streamed around the world in a new programme of free performances every night.
Launching later this week, United We Stream will broadcast a diverse blend of entertainment and creativity on one online platform for people to watch at home.
The opening week’s line-up will include DJ sets from Solardo, DJ Paulette and Gareth Brooks, gigs from Slow Readers Club, The Lottery Winners and Twisted Wheel, comedy from Justin Moorhouse, poetry from Tony Walsh, a cooking class from Gary Usher, and appearances from Cath Tyldesley and Faye Brookes.
Performances will all be free to watch but viewers are welcome to make donations. The money raised will go towards a relief fund supporting the region’s night time economy, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak and the resultant closure of venues.
The United We Stream model was pioneered in Berlin by their night tsar Lutz Leichsenring, where it has raised more than £700,000 since launching mid-March.
It is being brought to Manchester by night time economy adviser Sacha Lord, who has been working with counterparts around Europe on the plans, together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) culture team and local and national partners. Warehouse Project and Parklife boss Mr Lord said: “I want to keep our vibrant music and entertainment scene active.
“Over the last few weeks, I have been contacted by many grassroots venues, bar owners, artists and freelancers, and the main thing I’ve heard is how difficult this period is and will be for them. Many of them are in dire financial straits and at risk of never recovering. Together with the GMCA, we have been working hard to create opportunities and hope for these people, and I am delighted to confirm that what started as an idea last week is now about to come to fruition.”
Performances will take place from artists’ homes, gardens and selected host venues around the region, making sure all adhere to government advice around isolating, distancing and infection control.
United We Stream will be live every day from 7pm. Viewers can watch for free but there will also be a donations page they can buy a ‘virtual ticket’ on a pay-as-you-feel basis.
Income from the stream will go directly to a relief fund, with 70 per cent going specifically to support Greater Manchester’s night time economy, including music venues, restaurants, bars, freelancers and cultural organisations who are unable to work or operate their businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The remaining chunk will go to charity, with 8pc going to Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity and 22pc donated to the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Charity.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Supporting our culture and music organisations, venues and artists is so important through this difficult time. We want to be entertained and still be able to see bands and performances, but it’s important to do this within the health and safety guidelines and from our own homes. United We Stream is a great way for us all to be involved in Greater Manchester, helping to support the people and organisations that make Greater Manchester’s music and culture quite so special.” Mr Lord added: “Not only will this potentially help many people who work within our night time economy such as our performers, our artists, our creatives, but I’m delighted that at the same time, Greater Manchester’s homeless, our most vulnerable, are being looked after.”
The M.E.N. and CityLife are proud to support United We Stream as its official media partner. ● To tune in visit unitedwestream. co.uk, where a full schedule will be published each week.