StreamGM & The Manc #SEEGM
StreamGM and The Manc have a plan to show serious love and support for the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs and live-music venues.
We’ve watched musicals from our cars, experienced Zoom parties, solo kitchen discos and seated half-capacity gigs but nothing beats the buzz of a live show and with stage four unlocking delayed but imminent – our venues need us back!
Nightclubs were forced to close 16 months ago, and theatres and live music venues in Greater Manchester have been able to open for short periods for performances, albeit under strict restrictions around capacity, movement, mask wearing and social distancing to keep people safe.
This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the final stage of the roadmap, which will include restrictions on face coverings, the one metre-plus rule, and capacity caps on large-scale events being lifted, is expected on July 19th.
On July 15th The Manc and StreamGM launch SeeGM, a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in Greater Manchester.
Through promotional videos, digital content and interviews with some of Greater Manchester’s most respected operators and cultural figures, SeeGM will inspire residents to revisit their favourite haunts, buy tickets for future events, and safely experience more of the city-region’s vibrant culture and nightlife.
SeeGM will encourage people to post happy memories of times spent at gigs, shows and events on their social media platforms, be kind and respectful to staff, other audience members and partygoers, and share their first experiences of heading ‘out-out’ after July 19th.
While people are being encouraged to get out and support businesses and venues, they are also being asked to think of others while out and take steps to keep each other safe. This includes wearing a face covering if travelling on public transport.
As the region’s premier digital media publishers with an audience of over 1.2 million and currently ranked 10th most engaged news publisher in the U.K, The Manc are well placed to promote Greater Manchester’s venues alongside StreamGM, the region’s multi award winning streaming platform.
Many of Greater Manchester’s best club nights, live music destinations and performance venues were featured by StreamGM’s smash hit United We Stream project, which was founded by a small team in swift response to the first UK lockdown.
Millions of people in Greater Manchester and all over the world supported and reminisced about our local live music venues, club nights and theatres through the live fundraising programmes on United We Stream in 2020.
This week the cultural streaming platform live-stream Un-Convention - an independent music industry conference held at the O2 Ritz Manchester, with speakers from iconic bands: Radiohead, Happy Mondays and Mogwai.
Viewers all over the world will be watching the two day in-person event, with exclusive speaker sessions around modern music management, the future of live-streaming and how to build a better music industry.
StreamGM are also the official streaming partners for Manchester International Festival, broadcasting their two week festival square programme into peoples’ homes across the globe.
On Saturday July 10th StreamGM collaborate with MIF to live-stream renowned mancunian LGBTQI+ ‘dark discotek’ club night Homoelectric live from festival square 9-2am.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “People across Greater Manchester have sacrificed so much over the past year or so and I know how much people are looking forward to getting back out properly and enjoying the likes of live music, theatre and our nightlife.
“Our night-time economy has suffered significantly over this time, with businesses often unable to open at all and now we can all start doing our bit to support these important cultural venues.
“Buy tickets, make a booking, just tell a friend – it all makes a massive difference.
“Like many of you, I am excited to get back out and get back enjoying myself but, coronavirus is still out there so please think of others and keep each other safe. For example, if you are travelling by public transport, especially if it is busy, wear a face covering.”
Renowned DJ and FAC51 The Hacienda resident, Graeme Park said: "I'm so excited about getting back to playing live again to full dancefloors after over a year of livestreams and the occasional socially distanced gig with very limited numbers.
“Live events are hugely important for the mental health of both performers and audiences alike,.
“Connecting with people at varied and inclusive DJ gigs, music gigs, theatre productions and festivals is crucial to everyone's well being, our local culture and of course, both the local and national economies.
“I hope that SeeGM inspires everyone to look forward to dancing together again and experience the live performances that are part of the very fabric of our society."
Marie-Claire Daly, co-founder of StreamGM continued: “We’re thrilled to be working with The Manc on this campaign highlighting the very best Greater Manchester has to offer.”
“The StreamGM team came together in 2020 through a shared love of live music and performance. And we, as much as anyone, can’t wait to get back to enjoying proper live events.
“While streaming has undoubtedly opened up new audiences for Greater Manchester talent, locally and around the world, now is the time for us to support and buy tickets for the live performances in the venues we’ve all missed so much.
“In the future, we see live and streamed events sitting together, side by side, increasing access and audiences to amazing talent but for that to happen we need to support our venues now.
“Don’t forget though that these places and events need audiences to attend safely so we can continue to minimise infection so they don’t have to close their doors. So book in advance. Do your track and trace. Be kind and respectful to staff and other audience members and partygoers and remember that we’re still living with covid.”
Anna Gledson, Brand Director of The Manc said: “The Manc are made up to collaborate with Stream GM on such an important campaign.
“We have already partnered with StreamGM on a number of their fantastic digital events throughout the lockdown of 2020, where they kept spirits high for venues, performers and of course their virtual audiences.
“SeeGM is a super fun project to amplify marketing and messaging for the many music venues, comedy clubs, nightclubs and all of our region’s other incredible and iconic cultural experiences with reopening.
“Greater Manchester is the city of 24 hour party people. These places need people to truly come alive, and we hope with everyone’s support our region’s venues will be thriving again very, very soon.”
