Welcome To The Yard

To celebrate StreamGM’s exciting new partnership with The Yard Mcr, StreamGM is hosting an exclusive housewarming event that can be streamed into living rooms all over the world.

‘Welcome to The Yard’ on Thursday December 7th will celebrate the creative partnership between StreamGM & The Yard Mcr.

Headlined by 6 Music’s newly crowned ‘Artist of the Year’ Antony Szmierek, and supported by The Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Artist of the Month The KTNA, this promises to be a night to remember.

On headlining Welcome To The Yard, Antony said: “I’m so happy to be rounding off a pretty mental year at home and for a cause close to my heart. Manchester is a city of poets and dancers and we’re intending to bring both of those qualities to StreamGM’s event at The Yard and beyond in December. See ya there, hitchhikers!”

Although invite only, people will be able to watch the party unfold with a livestream live and direct from The Yard Mcr stunning atrium via  www.streamgm.co.uk & our social channels.

And as StreamGM are an ongoing supporter of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, guests will be asked for donations to help support local people who are homeless this winter.

‘Welcome to The Yard’ is a VIP industry event to celebrate the creative partnership between StreamGM & The Yard Mcr: the cultural, hidden gem beating in the heart of Cheetham Hill.

Founder of The Yard Mcr – Mark Hamburger explained: “The Yard Mcr is thrilled to have joined forces with StreamGM, providing an excellent platform for showcasing local talent.

“Welcome to The Yard features the remarkable Antony Szmierek and the KTNA’s as headline acts. Witnessing such outstanding talent in an intimate setting promises to be a rare treat for our guests. Antony is a prime example of the future of Manchester music. He is homegrown talent and has earned his success through hard graft, dedication, and exceptional music.

“The co-production of live events, music, and culturally themed streamed series with StreamGM in 2024 signifies a pivotal move for The Yard Mcr, aiming to propel the Cheetham Hill area towards becoming the epicentre of Manchester's music culture.”

Antony Szmierek

Antony’s meteoric rise to fame in 2023 has been testament to his drive and talent. Named by 6 Music as one of their ten Artists of the Year alongside globally renowned acts such as Blur, Christine & The Queens and Nia Archives this title solidifies his stake as THE one to watch in 2024.

A spoken word and indie hip hop artist born and bred in Hyde, Greater Manchester; Antony has disrupted the industry with his poetic lyrics, flashing-light feelings and late-night philosophies.

His début album Giving Up for Beginners (2021) drew comparisons to Mike Skinner's work as The Streets. This year he released a number of singles and the EP: Poems To Dance To.

Hailed by Lauren Laverne as "the best thing I've heard all year" and dubbed "Mike Skinner mixed with John Cooper-Clarke" - his more recent music: Dance Better, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Fallacy, Rock in a Calm Place, The Words To Auld Lang Syne, and current catchy track How Did You Get Here? has enjoyed on the coveted 6 Music A list, as well as regularly hitting Radio 1’s B-list.

Antony’s talent is documenting incredibly specific details from his life, and others. He makes music that tells stories and makes people laugh and reflect on life. Having spent time working as a SEN teacher in Manchester throughout his twenties, he’s learned the value of “communities, people and empathy.”

With an ever growing army of fans gained from his non-stop 2023 festival circuit (Glastonbury, Leeds, Lost Festival, Moovin, Blue Dot, Spendour, down the Rabbit Hole and Truck Fest to name but a few!) Antony has a sell out national tour to enjoy during November, and his biggest headline gigs to date in Manchester (New Century Hall) and London (Lafayette) in April 2024.

He won critical acclaim for his TV performance on the iconic Later with Jools Holland show on BBC2 in October, and support continues to pour in from the likes of Greg James, Jack Saunders, Craig Charles, Steve Lamacq, Natalie Everemone, Mary Anne Hobbs and Chris Hawkins.

Supporting Antony are The KTNA - who wear their hearts on their sleeves and channel an unapologetically strong, northern spirit into their craft. Twin sisters born in Kenya, raised and residing in Manchester, Hope and Millie Katana weave their candid lyrics and stunningly butter smooth vocals around unique ‘cosmic soul’ music which never fails to be noticed.

Recently picked by Andy Burnham as his ‘Mayor’s Artist of the Month’ with airtime on BBC Radio Manchester and sell out gig at Band on the Wall this Summer, The KTNA have a big 2024 ahead.

On the decks and no stranger to StreamGM will be Jade Li. A superstar DJ in the making she recently played Factory International and Baltic Weekender, supported Dance System, and has played alongside some heavyweights in the scene such as Sally C, Dan Shake, Sophia Kourtesis, Ross From Friends, Maurice Fulton and rising star TSHA.

Jade first DJ’d on StreamGM in 2022 at the She’s In Control at Freight Island takeover. Her mixing skills and infectious house music set went down a storm and got everyone dancing (in the rain!)

She is a regular on the Manchester scene, having played for the iconic: Homoelectric. She also promotes a club night (Plastic Dreams) and has welcomed local guest Hidden Spheres and ALiA (Belgium) to the decks.

Joe Heys, StreamGM’s lead programmer of Welcome to The Yard, who will also be DJing on the night under the pseudonym Fries With That, concluded: “Greater Manchester’s music scene has shaped and moulded me as a person. Those formative years dancing in basements and car parks to some of the most exciting and forward looking music since I first arrived here as a student in 2013 have made me the person I am today. As a result, it is now such an honour to be given the opportunity by StreamGM to showcase the next generation of Greater Manchester’s world beating music scene.”

StreamGM joined forces with The Yard Mcr ( a former victorian school on Bent Street in Cheetham Hill) to produce live-streamed shows about their flourishing, creative community, and develop and broadcast new content such as musical skits, diverse club nights, podcast recordings and creative conversations. 

Harnessing The Yard Mcr’s ongoing relationship with streaming tech company EMEA Blackmagic Design, this alliance with StreamGM encapsulates The Yard’s hive of creativity, and the talented people who bring life to the historical building. 

Welcome To The Yard premiers on StreamGM at 19.00 on December 7th 2023 - for more information about our livestreaming please drop us a line on contact@streamgm.co.uk