When the world stopped,
our team was born
Our team was first formed back in Spring 2020 when we were brought together to create United We Stream, Greater Manchester's rapid response to COVID-19 - to raise money for good causes, and entertain people during the multiple lockdowns of 2020.
From the fledgling first show on April 3rd, 2020 to the epic 24-hour finale party on New Years’ Eve with FAC 51 The Hacienda, United We Stream produced 308 hours of live content for 48 shows that amassed more than 20 million views, raised £583,000 for local good causes, cultural organisations and charities, and provided both a platform and creative outlet for 400+ artists and cultural organisations.
We created something phenomenal in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances, and developed a very ‘mancunian’ platform that people loved and trusted locally, nationally and internationally.
As the U.K. started to emerge very slowly from the pandemic, we realised the positive and powerful extent of the United We Stream legacy and decided to take the very best of the project and move forward, as a high-quality, ethical, not-for-profit streaming service, with its feet planted firmly within the best city in the world!
StreamGM is quite simply,
dedicated to Greater Manchester music and culture.
meet the team
Marie-Claire Daly
Principal culture lead at Greater Manchester Combined Authority and an original member of the United We Stream GM Team. With a strong focus on policy and business development, Marie-Claire has more than 20 years valuable experience in the cultural sector and has worked in theatres, museums, galleries, festivals and venues across Greater Manchester.
Marie-Claire has significant experience in cultural strategy and policy development, with a focus on fair pay for artists, talent and skills development and diversity, developed through work at Arts Council England, Manchester City Council, and more recently at GMCA.
laura graham
From the start of United We Stream through to the development and management of StreamGM, Laura Graham, MD of LG Publicity, has led all communications, press and branding.
She manages the narrative of all our communications, with focus on genuine engagement with our audiences and partners.
Laura also produces StreamGM’s indie music series Spill The Sound, and grassroots livestreamed clubbing series, MainRoom.
An award winning publicist and former journalist with links to some of the best artistic talent and media contacts in Greater Manchester and beyond, Laura helps StreamGM create an overarching narrative that supports and clearly communicates the diversity of our artists and partners.
Joe Heys
Joe Heys is a Senior Policy Officer within the GMCA Culture and Night Time Economy team. Having joined the team earlier this year, Joe has admired the work of StreamGM from afar and is absolutely thrilled to be part of the team.
Joe also DJs under the name ‘Fries With That’, and has played at a number of venues across the city and at Parklife Festival, mixing everything from old-school disco and soul to the latest cutting-edge underground sounds. He will program and produce some of StreamGM’s upcoming partnership events with The Yard, as well as providing some background tunes at StreamGM towers.
JC Monaghan
JC Monaghan is an artist, photographer and skilled digital producer.
A founder member of United We Stream GM, James brings detailed technical knowledge, artistic vision and an understanding of various social media platforms and how to maximise their impact.
A senior content producer at Greater Manchester Combined Authority with specialisms in still and motion work, short-form content, motion control and time-lapse photography, James bridges the gap between content creation and online engagement, providing artistic vision, technical support and maximising the impact of StreamGM’s output.
gareth williams
As GMCA lead for night-time economy, Gareth was a founder member of United We Stream and brings with him a wealth of expertise in developing and delivering policy that supports the night time and creative industries to thrive.
A former director at Hive Urban Farms, Gareth has significant experience in business start ups that use tech solutions to tackle societal issues and brings his passion for music, across all genres to StreamGM, playing a key role in programming and artist liaison for the platform.
Rebecca Swarray
Rebecca Swarray AKA DJ Mix-Stress is a firm favourite on the Manchester music scene, pleasing audiences and ears with her soulful and uplifting sets. She enjoys monthly residences at various northern venues and both Gaydio & Reform Radio where she champions new and upcoming DJs and producers. Rebecca is also founder and curator of Manchester based events and arts collective, RebeccaNeverBecky and Co-founder of queer DJ Collective, Queer Latifah.
Rebecca works with the GMCA Night Time Economy & Creative, Culture Team as a Senior Policy Officer. She is also a curator and programmer within StreamGM, cultivating partnerships with grass root clubbing events as part of MainRoom - StreamGM's underground clubbing series .