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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One giant house party – Ne-Yo and Akon at Co-op Live, Manchester
Hollie Wells
‘So Sick’ of seeing pilates and matcha; when all you need is a messy naughties night out? Iconic duo Ne-Yo and Akon can, apparently, take you there.
Imagine the best house party of the 2010s with 20,000 of your favourite guests on perfect form, and you know what Co-op Live has been like for the last two nights for R&B royalty Ne-Yo and Akon.
Hosting a collaborative catalogue of bangers from both the stars, the atmosphere was buzzing with nostalgia and a readiness to have the ‘Time of Our Lives.’
Not only were we treated to two icons, they shared the stage with amazingly talented dancers, performing on the ground and in the sky, and perfectly embodying the showmanship of Ne-Yo and AKON and amplifying the party atmosphere.
It feels like there are endless group numbers, and if that wasn’t enough, these dancers start hanging on aerial silks from the rafters of Co-op Live by one foot and dropping into the splits on Ne-Yo’s lap. Casual.
This is a night for screaming timeless heartbreak anthems like ‘Angel’ and ‘Lonely’, throwing some ‘Dangerous’ dance moves, and throwing your arms around your best pal while copious amounts of confetti fall over you.
Not only did we get the classics, the packed audience of party people were presented with a dance-battle style compilation of tunes that the singer-songwriters were involved with.
And of course, they had a plethora of perfect numbers, including Rhianna’s ‘Hate that I Love You’, Gwen Stefani’s ‘The Sweet Escape’ and Beyoncé’s ‘Irreplaceable.’ A triad of divas, and these songs never get old.
With a running time of two hours and forty minutes, it is clear that these two are not short on hits.
Needing an interval at a gig is a flex and I would confidently say this Manchester crowd would have parted all night long, particularly the three lucky ladies who were called on stage to two-step with Ne-Yo. The office wont believe that on Monday.
If you’re craving a time-hop to 2010 and a setlist with zero flops, you’re in safe hands with Ne-Yo and Akon.
Rare picture of David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport unearthed
Danny Jones
A rare picture taken from the night of the late, great David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport has been unearthed by a local whilst digging through his loft.
Imagine having that kind of history just squirrelled away in an attic…
As revealed by Stockport Music Story, after being supplied with the image by David Maynard, the snap was shared more than half a century on from the much-mythologised moment in Greater Manchester music history.
In fact, it was put on display and posted on social media quite literally 56 years to the day since Bowie played his only Stopfordian set on 27 April, 1970.
Maynard himself is featured in the newly discovered photograph (second from the left) and was one of the select and lucky few who were in the room for that very special show.
Organised by a group of teens on behalf of the Stockport Schools’ Students’ Union, the performance took place at the long-gone Poco a Poco music venue and club over in Heaton Chapel.
The storied space hosted many big names over the years – Gerry Marsden, Freddie Starr, Hank Marvin and more – but sadly closed in May of 1987 following a fire.
It went on to become the popular Hinds Head pub, which still serves punters to this day, but once had the honour of hosting a true artistic great and British icon.
For anyone wondering, this is indeed the same night on which David Robert Jones (yes, that’s Bowie‘s full birth name) missed his train home and had to sleep on the railway platform.
Here’s a BBC segment covering the tale back on its 55th anniversary in April 2025.
It may be a small and somewhat curious claim to fame, but native love the legend of it all nonetheless.
As for the other individuals pictured alongside him, Stockport Music Story (SMS) said: “The names of the people we know are David Maynard (2nd left), Roz Wood (3rd left), David Bowie, Bill Frost (2nd right), Stewart Rigby (right).”
They go on to add: “It would be amazing to find out who the other people in the photograph are and what they remember from that night.” We sincerely hope they do.
You can now see the plaque up close and personal at Stockport Station for yourselves and as for SMS’s growing archive of the region’s creative culture, you can find out tonnes more about other pieces of SK heritage right HERE.
Hannah Starkie -
19th October 2020 
