In summer 2020 when everything was a bit grim with the coronavirus lockdown, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Mayor of the Liverpool City-Region Steve Rotheram dared each other to face off in a charity DJ battle where each would choose music from their own city-regions from the 1960s until today.
It was the musical event we didn’t know we needed. Smiles were smiled. Beers were drunk. Money was raised for charity. Headlines around the world were written.
These people were watching…
“The mayors have already been taunting each other about their regions' respective musical heritage, with Mr Rotherham lauding Liverpool's global fame as the home of The Beatles.
However, Mr Burnham countered: "Let's face it, if we had excluded music from the 1960s there would be no contest.”
— BBC News
“In contrast to the current political unrest happening Stateside, two mayors in the U.K. are engaging in a bit of playful competition for a good cause this weekend.”
— Billboard
“Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham will do battle against Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram on June 13, with their efforts shown on the United We Stream website.”
— NME
“Competition aside, music unites both city-regions and the United We Stream show promises to be an amazing celebration of North West culture. We hope it will bring people together at a difficult time and raise funds for important causes at both ends of the M62.”