how We started..

United We Stream – Greater Manchester’s Global Stage

United We Stream was the first project of its kind in the UK. Born in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, a small team of five came together with one bold ambition: to take an innovative fundraising idea from Berlin’s club commissioner Lutz Leichsenring, and launch it in Greater Manchester within just ten days. What followed was nine months of relentless creativity, community spirit, and global impact.

Culture at the Core
United We Stream showcased the very best of Greater Manchester’s music, nightlife and culture. From iconic club nights like Homoelectric and Funkademia, to boutique festivals Moovin and Head for the Hills, we gave local talent a platform when doors were shut. Partnerships with Contact Theatre, Brighter Sounds and Manchester Jazz Festival highlighted the depth of the region’s cultural strength.

We produced a powerful Black Lives Matter campaign and used our platform to champion equality, creativity, and togetherness.

Landmark Moments
Highlights included Headstock Festival – a music and mental wellbeing event marking the 30th anniversary of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, with moving performances from New Order, Elbow, Kodaline, Mark Lanegan, and Brandon Flowers of The Killers.

We commemorated the third anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack with a special show featuring Catherine Tyldesley and the Manchester Survivors Choir, followed by an exclusive DJ set from Melanie C.

United We Stream even staged a DJ battle between Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham, with all proceeds going to local charities.

For Manchester Pride, we created a “virtual parade” and a socially distant HIV candlelight vigil, ensuring the traditions of the festival could continue safely. In Wigan, we captured the spirit of its legendary Boxing Day Fancy Dress party, bringing a 42-year tradition online.

And for FAC51 Haçienda’s legendary NYE House Party, we delivered a 24-hour stream with 76 cross-posts around the world, trending number one in the UK on Twitter, and debuting a virtual reality replica of the original Haçienda, built by its own architect.

Global Reach, Local Impact
In just nine months, United We Stream produced 48 original shows, racking up more than 20 million views worldwide – enough to fill Manchester Arena over 1,000 times. But this wasn’t just about numbers; it was about values. We treated local DJs and grassroots venues with the same respect as global superstars, creating an egalitarian space where audiences discovered culture they might never have experienced before.

Supporting Those Who Needed It Most
The project supported over 100 freelancers and cultural organisations through solidarity grants. We also helped 30 charities, including: Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, Manchester Mind, Albert Kennedy Trust, LCR Cares, Eat Well MCR, St John’s Hospice and the GM Mayor’s Charity, which supports rough sleepers.

Legacy
United We Stream cracked the code of livestreaming – creating interactive, memorable cultural moments that reached millions at a time when connection mattered most. It was Greater Manchester’s culture, broadcast to the world, proving that even in the hardest of times, creativity and community can thrive.