Pre-COVID, Beatstream was a Manchester-based digital streaming service that exclusively streamed gigs live from venues directly to your phone or browser.
Since first launching the app in 2014, they’ve been all about supporting local music and venues.
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That’s one thing that hasn’t changed. Bringing musically likeminded people together remains their thing.
During lockdown, the Beatstream team organised some exclusive live performances from Manchester legends Clint Boon and Graeme Park that were broadcast online via the service. But with very little happening in terms of live music right now, they’ve had no choice but to diversify.
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Fast-forward a few months and Beatstream are launching a brand new programme for all types of artists.
Helen Fish, founder and CEO of Beatstream, told The Manc AUDIO how the company has invested in technology enabling artists to stream ticketed performances from their own homes or studios.
“We are in the process of launching the Beatstream affiliates programme,” said Helen.
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“It will be a team of industry professionals using their network to recruit artists of any level and host ticketed virtual events on the Beatstream platform.”
Sounds ideal, right? And as an added bonus – you can earn money whilst you’re at it.
“It’s a risk-free way for artists to be able to earn some extra money or create a whole new income stream altogether,” said Helen.
“With lots of industry professionals out of work at the moment and venues closed, it really is a great opportunity.
“It’s zero cost to host an event. The person organising the event earns a revenue, the artists performing earns revenue and the more gigs we can host on the platform, the bigger the difference we can make to the industry by giving it a chance of survival until the venues reopen and life becomes a little more normal.”
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Livestreams and online festivals were all over the internet during lockdown.
Of course, nothing beats that crowd atmosphere or competes with that thumping bass in your chest. But if this is the best we can get, make ours a double.
With so much uncertainty around an impending second lockdown, we might have to entertain the idea of experiencing music from our sofa once again soon.
Helen hopes that once venues start to reopen, the usual Beatstream service can resume. But in the meantime, this will provide not only a new way to experience our favourite music, but also a means for artists to continue to earn a living.
Events are expected to start from November 1, so get involved asap. For more information, email the team at [email protected].
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Embrace announce intimate live show in beloved Bury music venue
Danny Jones
British alternative veterans Embrace have announced another intimate show here in Greater Manchester, only this time it’s over in Bury at a stunning small-cap arts venue.
It’s not often you get to see such a long-standing band play outside of the city centre so far into their career, especially in gorgeous grassroots spaces like this one.
A fellow Northern outfit, they’ve often been lumped in with that ‘post-Britpop’ era of music, and plenty throw around the so-called ‘dad rock’ label, but honestly, we couldn’t care either way: they remain among the UK’s perennially underappreciated underdogs that never get old, as far as we’re concerned.
Revealing a handful of new live dates for their album launch this summer, they’ll be making just two appearances in the North West on the run.
Writing in the post, the group said: “We’ve lined up a run of exclusive UK dates in venues that are some of the smallest we’ve played in years. It’s going to be special, but capacity is extremely limited.”
As you can see, besides the Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool, the only other place in this region where they’re set to play for this mini tour is The Met over in Bury.
One of the most beautiful gig spots, not just in the town but in all the 10 boroughs, for our money, the room only holds around 400 standing and roughly 250 seats.
For seasoned artists like this lot, who are more used to playing big festival stages and big domestic headline tours – which they’re also doing later this year – it’s sure to be a special night.
Toasting the release of their ninth studio LP, Avalanche, this spin-off on the tried and tested in-store format wouldn’t be possible without the help of local record store, Wax and Beans, who are promoting and hosting the show.
But we can’t lie, there’s something about the idea of seeing them decades on from when they first tightly-packed out crowds of this size.
If you want to be part of the Embrace album launch tour, you can get ready to grab your tickets at 10am this Friday, 27 March, right HERE. And speaking of great record shops…
Niall Horan is heading back to Manchester with a massive arena show just announced
Daisy Jackson
Niall Horan will be back in Manchester this year on a huge newly-announced European arena tour.
The former One Direction star (and chart-topper in his own right) has just announced his Dinner Party Live On Tour tour.
The tour comes in support of his upcoming fourth solo studio album, Dinner Party, which promises to be ‘cinematic and organic’.
Niall Horan will be performing at the Co-op Live in Manchester this September, along with gigs in other UK cities including Sheffield, Glasgow, and Newcastle.
He’ll then head right across Europe, playing music from his multi-Platinum-selling songbook.
Niall first shot to fame as one-fifth of One Direction, but has one of the group’s strongest solo careers, with three chart-topping albums and massive hits like Slow Hands, Heaven, and Our Song.
Niall Horan is heading back to Manchester with a massive arena show just announced
He’s also worked on some exciting collaborations with the likes of Anne-Marie, and most recently Myles Smith.
£1 from every ticket sold for Niall Horan’s Dinner Party tour will be donated to the LIVE Trust, which is dedicated to protecting, expanding, and supporting grassroots music across the UK.
Niall Horan will be at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Friday 25 September.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Thursday 2 April HERE.