A new documentary celebrating the incredible people and places who make up Greater Manchester’s contemporary music scene will be premiered this Friday via global streaming platform United We Stream.
Filmed over the course of the last 18 months, Manchester Music Then and Now: Music Worth Fighting For was produced by Marketing Manchester and initially set out to showcase the strength and diversity of Greater Manchester’s current music scene, then adapted to reflect upon what’s at stake for the sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The film will be free to view on United We Stream Greater Manchester at 8pm on Friday 18 December but Marketing Manchester is encouraging “pay what you feel” donations to charities that support people affected by the pandemic. Donations can be made to #OneGM or WeMakeEvents’ fundraiser for BackUp, which supports people who in the Entertainment Technology Industry. The film will also be available to see via visitmanchester.com after the premiere.
Thirty years on from Madchester, Music Worth Fighting For features interviews and insights from individuals emphasising how Manchester music is stronger than ever, with more diversity, better venues, and a new generation of talent continuing the story.
It features a stellar cast of famous faces and places from the Manchester music scene, including A Certain Ratio, Blossoms, Courteeners, New Order/Joy Division, Happy Mondays, Lottery Winners, Manchester Collective, Working Men’s Club and Elbow, alongside emerging talent including Yemi Bolitawa, Valve and DJ Olli Ryder, son of Shaun Ryder.
It also hears from industry professionals including technicians, photographers, band bookers, tour guides and promoters (Jay Taylor, Sacha Lord, Jenna G, Paul Husband, Rose Gill, Oliver Wilson) and the many venues and festivals (Night & Day, Manchester Jazz festival, Parklife) that attract many thousands of visitors to Greater Manchester each year.
The film details the extraordinary resilience of the response to the pandemic in Manchester, with acts providing online performances and United We Stream attracting millions of viewers worldwide for events featuring Manchester artists.
Sheona Southern, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester is known around the world for music and we’re excited to have made a film celebrating the many people and places that make us famous.
“Alongside people working across the leisure, hospitality and visitor economy, the live music scene has arguably been hit harder than any other by the pandemic. This film highlights the strength of spirit that surrounds Manchester music as we look forward to a time when visitors can return to our brilliant venues.”
Sacha Lord, Night-time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester added: “This film hears from many of the people who make Manchester music the envy of the world. It’s been an incredibly difficult time for people working in the sector and it’s brilliant to be able to celebrate the strength of spirit and resilience that has been so evident.
“With signs that an end to the pandemic might now be in sight, I won’t be alone in looking forward to being able to return to see brilliant live music in Manchester.”
