Local musicians can take half-price taxis home after their gigs in Manchester, thanks to a new partnership between GigPig and Uber.
The three-month pilot scheme, which has drawn support from Night Time Economy Adviser (and boss of Parklife and Warehouse Project) Sacha Lord, has been created to help late-night workers get home safely.
It follows on from the Get Me Home Safely campaign, which called for safe, affordable transport home, backed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
That campaign initiated by Unite Union said that those who work late at night shouldn’t need to dip into their earnings just to get home at the end of the day.
The GigPig and Uber partnership will be available to all artists registered on the GigPig platform in the city, offering 50% off rides home when performing at gigs that finish after 11pm.
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It’s hoped it will save them thousands of pounds in transport costs.
Live music marketing platform GigPig has partnered with more than 750 artists and facilitated hundreds of gigs int he city each week.
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A three-month pilot scheme offering local musicians half price transport home after late-night gigs is being launched in Manchester, thanks to a partnership between live music marketplace GigPig and Uber.
Two Manchester-based DJs have thrown their support behind the partnership. Joe Roche said: “Currently cash flow and cost issues for our sector are being felt across the board, and it’s nice to see GigPig identifying the issue and helping beyond the traditional means.
“This initiative addresses an all too familiar concern. There’s nothing worse than being on your feet for up to 14 hours on a Saturday doing consecutive gigs if you’ve got invoices which hadn’t been cleared beforehand – the walk home is completely out of the question and your bank balance is in bits. “
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DJ Fry Ups, who secured a residency at Box in Deansgate via GigPig, added: “The majority of my gigs finish after 11pm, so I welcome this initiative. Not only will it help reduce costs but it’s also fantastic to know that myself and other artists will be able to get home via a trusted mode of transport afterwards.
“Safety and affordability are key considerations for me when taking on any gig and I know can be barriers for many others. I hope it’s the catalyst for more artists feeling confident to book even more gigs in the city.”
Michael Forster, CEO of GigPig, said: “At GigPig we support artists all the way. We know safety is a top concern for many artists and we’re pleased to be able to play our part in helping them access safe and affordable transport options home. The nature of gigging means that artists are often out late at night and we’re committed to implementing ways to support them to feel safe when travelling.
Incredible feedback from @djeeanmathews in response to our partnership with @Uber.
“Manchester has a vibrant night time economy which is dependent on artists performing in a variety of venues – footfall in bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs are all boosted by live music. We are sure this pilot partnership will be well received by the artists who are doing a brilliant job entertaining audiences across the city.”
Andrew Brem, General Manager, Uber UK said: “We are delighted to be partnering with GigPig to help its music artists get home after late night concerts and gigs. Safety is a top priority for Uber, and with millions of trips happening regularly on our platform across the UK, we want to help everyone, no matter where they are going, get home at the touch of a button.”
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Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, added: “Manchester has recently been crowned the UK’s Capital of Nightlife, by the Sunday Times. We’ve always been proud of our music scene and the city is known for it, globally.
“I’m delighted to support the incredible initiative and partnership between GigPig and Uber. We need to support our up and coming artists, to which the expense of travel can be a barrier. This initiative will pave the way for the next generation of artists.”
The GigPig platform, which gives artists free access to find, play and get paid for gigs in venues of all sizes across the UK, represents more than 3,000 live music performers and more than 750 in Manchester alone.
If the pilot scheme in Manchester is successful, it will be rolled out to all 12 major cities where GigPig operates across the UK.
Featured image: Unsplash
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The Script announced as latest Co-op Live act as they head back to Manchester
Danny Jones
Irish rock pop band The Script have been confirmed as the latest artists set to play Co-op Live arena as they prepare to make their Manchester return later this year.
Announcing the Co-op Live gig as part of their upcoming Satellite world tour, in support of their new album which is set to drop in just a few months’ time, the noughties and 2010s hit-makers will be coming to Manchester’s newest venue this fall.
With the trio having not long lost their lead guitarist and best mate Mark Sheehan during their run of Greatest Hits shows, this will be the first full tour they are set to play without him in the lineup.
Having gone back and regrouped, made a new record and now dropped their latest single ‘Both Ways’ at the same time on Friday morning, it’s full speed ahead for the boys with a massive world tour now on the horizon, including 20 European dates.
After being reduced to just two of the original found members, frontman Danny O’Donoghue and drummer Glen Power, the Dubliners have since doubled, inviting bassist Ben Sargeant and guitarist Ben Weaver to join the band earlier this month. They’re also still out on tour with pop legend Pink.
Their new album, Satellite, will mark their seventh studio LP and the first material released as a four-piece and is scheduled for release on 16 August, promising to deliver a whole new energy from the band.
Taking inspiration from the likes of The Black Eyed Peas and Bruno Mars, bassist Glen admitted that the sound “maybe not what people might expect from us but we’re The Script, and now we have something to prove: that there’s life and light after the darkness. It’s why we’re coming fast and strong with that one.”
Lead singer Danny added: “The album cover is silhouettes of me, Glen and Ben Sargeant, our bassist, who’s been with us from the beginning. Then we have a hooded silhouette, because the air of Mark is still there.
“He always will be, but it’s also giving a tip of the hat to the future. It’ll never be the same Script. We’re just trying to get on and do what it is that we all feel is the next right thing to do and that’s to keep making more great music.”
As for the show itself, The Script arrive at Co-op Live on 30 November – the final show of their UK leg and over two years since their last visit to Manchester at the AO Arena.
For those looking to grab tickets, fans who pre-order Satellites from the band’s official store before5pm on Tuesday, 21 May will receive access to an exclusive pre-sale for tickets for the UK and Irelandtour dates.
Pre-sale opens at9:30am on Wednesday, 22 May and general admission tickets go live at the same time on Friday, 24 May. You can grab yours HERE.
We’ve had the luxury of popping along to the brand-new arena a few times now and we have to say, it didn’t disappoint.
Black Keys at Co-op Live, Manchester – huge venue’s first taste of the blues
Charlie Watkinson
As a huge Black Keys fan, when I found out they were set to be the first band to grace the stage at Co-op Live, I just knew I had to be there.
Of course, it didn’t turn out that way.
After numerous cancellations and rescheduling, Elbow managed to nab the first spot, with the Black Keys taking to the stage the following night instead (several weeks later than their original show date).
Let me tell you though – they did not disappoint.
Having been one of the starry-eyed fans at Elbow the previous night, and been properly impressed by the sound quality inside the massive new Manchester venue, the thought of hearing Dan Auerbach’s epic bluesy riffs had me beyond excited.
Entering the stage playing the heavy-hitting I Got Mine, followed by one of their most well-known tracks, Gold on the Ceiling, it was evident we were in for a great show.
I have to admit, though, as a die-hard Black Keys fan, I couldn’t ignore how static the crowd was throughout the whole performance.
It almost seemed like the room was filled with people who didn’t know their songs, perhaps due to rescheduling and Co-op Live dishing out tickets to say ‘sorry for the inconvenience’?
The quiet stillness of the crowd did a great disservice to the electrifying talent on stage. Luckily, this didn’t matter too much.
Closing with their most popular song, Lonely Boy, I almost forgot how still the crowd had been as I watched the entire stadium howling, “DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH – DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH.”
Although I wanted more from the crowd, all in all, the Black Keys played a setlist fit for a super fan and gave Co-Op Live its first taste of the blues.
I just wished the audience had been Howlin’ for You all night, not so Tighten Up’… As you were.