#SeeGM - That’s a Wrap!

StreamGM coupled up with The Manc to produce #SeeGM, which began when venues were finally given the long-awaited green light to reopen as normal on July 19.

While reopening may have been the goal, the next challenge (to remain operational) for our live venues was just beginning.

Theatres, nightclubs and grass roots music & comedy venues needed support from the wider community through this time more than ever, and so to make sure were doing our bit to help Greater Manchester culture and nightlife get back on its feet, we teamed up with The Manc to show some serious love and support to these places, with a positive and upbeat digital campaign to shine a spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs, performances and shows in our region.

The aim of the #SeeGM campaign was to inspire residents to revisit their favourite haunts, buy tickets for future events, and safely experience more of the region’s vibrant culture and nightlife.

Speaking on the wealth of content created for the SeeGM campaign over the last eight weeks, Laura Graham – co-founder of StreamGM – said: “For the SeeGM video series, we interviewed different people who curate, promote, perform, or work in these places and ask them about reopening, what safety measures they have in place and why they think Manchester is the best for nightlife and culture.

“We got some real insight, charisma and heartfelt quotes from our interviewees, and this helped to raise awareness and remind people why Manchester is just a cut about the rest.

“Our grassroots venues, nightclubs and performance spaces are helping us heal emotionally from the pandemic through enjoying shared experiences and being able to socialise properly again.”

Touching on the success of the campaign, Laura added: “It’s been ace getting positive feedback from local operators about SeeGM and so good to see people out in these places having a blast and dancing together again.

“A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the campaign for helping make SeeGM so much fun to create.”

Many local operators who were featured in the SeeGM series saw a surge in their social media engagement and increase in awareness of events taking place in their venues.

Dave Foran who owns Lion Den grass roots music venue and bar in the Great Northern on Deansgate said:” Honestly the amount of people who have been into the Den and mentioned seeing the SeeGM video about local music venues and info about events has been really something.

“We were proper chuffed to have been featured in SeeGM . The last 18 months have been a constant worry for me and other business owners like myself. Many times I have thought about closing the bar for good, but I am so glad I didn’t. Lions Den has had plenty of its regulars through the doors and so many new faces have been to see gigs, our live mike nights and comedy special, The Laughienda. Thanks StreamGM and The Manc for giving us a proper Mancunian helping hand.”

The Manc’s Brand Director Anna Gledson said: “Greater Manchester is the city of 24-hour party people,

“We were keen to encourage people to take to social media to post both their happy memories of times spent at gigs, shows and events gone by, as well as share their first experiences of heading ‘out-out’ after 19 July, all while promoting being kind and respectful to staff, other audience members, and partygoers.

“We did this through a dedicated social and editorial content strategy that involved the views and suggestions of our audience of over one million loyal Mancunians across our social media platforms – touching on everything from the best nights out in Greater Manchester, to some of the best arts and culture events to visit this summer.

“We also had the pleasure of speaking to some leading industry figures for the SeeGM video series to get their take on why Greater Manchester’s nightlife and cultural offerings are world-renowned.”

So, what can you keep doing to help our cultural and night-time venues? Well, as the region continues to open up and adapt to the new normal over the next few months, the support of residents will still be as important as ever, so make sure you experience all the region has to offer as safely you possibly can, while respecting staff, surroundings, locals and fellow partygoers – and most of all, keep making Greater Manchester proud.