Greater Manchester's United We Stream to wind down next month

A live streaming gig platform has announced it will be winding down its weekend shows from next month
Catherine Tyldesley has featured on the streaming serviceCatherine Tyldesley has featured on the streaming service
Catherine Tyldesley has featured on the streaming service

Greater Manchester's United We Stream was initially launched to help raise funds for those who are unable to work or operate during the Covid-19 pandemic

But from June 7 it will wind down to focus efforts on rebuilding the night-time economy.

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The project has raised over £382,000 since its launch on April 3.

Weekly shows will be replaced by one-off exclusive events and efforts will be refocused on distributing the funds to businesses suffering from the lockdown.

The platform will convert to an online stage for upcoming Greater Manchester talent. Acts will be able to upload showcases to the platform and view legacy content and benefit from a recording studio in Spinningfields, donated by Allied London.

Since launching United We Stream has reached 14 million people, who have tuned in to watch music acts such as Paul Oakenfold and Roger Sanchez.

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Greater Manchester's night time economy adviser Sacha Lord said: “Today we announce that we are winding down United We Stream to focus our efforts on rebuilding the sector.”

“When United We Stream was launched, we weren’t sure anyone would watch it, let alone donate. Yet the public has helped raise over £382,000 in just under two months, and for that I, and all the businesses who will benefit from these funds, are eternally grateful.

“The night time economy is one of the biggest sectors for employment in Greater Manchester and has been hit hardest by the pandemic. To see our community come together to support these businesses is humbling and demonstrates the unmatched community spirit of our city-region.”

“The platform will now echo this spirit of togetherness and go on to provide a free space for disadvantaged musicians and artists across Greater Manchester. I’m sure that by providing a platform for unsigned talent that we will go on to discover more of the household names that our region is so famous for.”

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He added: “As we wind down, I’d like to thank all the artists who have performed to date and given their time completely free of charge, and all the people behind the scenes who have worked endless hours to pull this together.”

Applications for the United We Stream Solidarity Fund are still open on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website for those affected by the crisis.

To be eligible, applicants must be an individual or freelancer working in the cultural or night time economy sector in Greater Manchester. They could also be applying on behalf of a local music venue, bar, restaurant or cultural organisation. The funding must be used to help them adapt to social distancing and lockdown measures related to Covid-19.

The initiative has also seen corporate support and donations from Live Nation, size?, musicMagpie, Parlophone Records, ShinDigger Brewing, OVG Group, Twitter, Pannone Corporate LLP and Ancoats General Store.

Donations to United We Stream can still be made by texting UWS 70660 for a £5 donation.