On Thursday 24th September at 17:00 BST I’ll be joining Sacha Lord (Night Time Economy adviser for Greater Manchester) Rose Marley (CEO Sharp Futures), Karen Gabay (presenter and producer, BBC Radio Manchester and TV producer) in an online discussion chaired by Dr Kirsty Fairclough (School Of Digital Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University and chair of Manchester Jazz Festival) as part of MediaCityUK’s ‘Spotlight On’ series which, in partnership with BBC Digital Cities Virtual, invites well-known experts from the media, creative and digital sectors to share their stories and skills.
MediaCityUK and Badger & Combes presents a panel of music leaders to put the ‘Spotlight On’ how they worked to innovate events and keep Manchester’s music economy, presence and community going throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. Music, clubs and festivals have been streamed online, and the panel will give an insight into how audiences were encouraged to listen and watch.
Have digital platforms benefitted Manchester’s night time economy? This masterclass brings together music creative leaders to explore this issue in-depth.
If you are a musician, DJ, performer, event promoter, festival organiser or music fan who is interested to hear about the challenges and successes of promoting and sharing music online during the pandemic, this is the event for you.
There will be an opportunity for the panel to answer your questions following on from the debate.
You can submit your questions for the panel in advance by emailing hello@mediacityuk.co.uk with your name, the area you work in (or would like to work in) and we will to our best to pose as many of those to panel as possible.
Please visit the MediaCityUK’s SPOTLIGHT ON... Digital Guest Lists: live music and streaming Facebook Event for more details and to join the livestream at 17:00 BST Thursday 24th September.
On Saturday 19th September I had two proper, real life gigs that were set up in a Covid secure and safe way. First was the Golden Dis-Dance Festival at Aynsley Mill in Stoke-on-Trent. This outdoor event in glorious late summer sunshine was extremely well organised and the wonderful and up-for-it crowd, who followed the rules and guidance in place, made for a great atmosphere. You can listen to my DJ set from Stoke via the player and link below.
This Is Graeme Park: Golden Dis-Dance Festival @ Aynsley Mill Stoke-on-Trent 19SEP 2020
As soon as I finished my DJ set at 6pm in Stoke I headed up the M6 to Manchester to DJ at the We Love Manchester event at Viadux Warehouse. This was an indoor event that was very well supported despite the restrictions on the sound level. Not ideal I admit, but there was a very good natured vibe as everyone stuck to their allocated groups at tables and the atmosphere was fairly electric. You can listen to my DJ set from Manchester via the player and link below.
This Is Graeme Park: We Love Manchester @ Viadux Warehouse Manchester 19SEP 2020
Earlier this week the UK government announced a variety of new Covid measures to try and slow the spread of the pandemic. Unfortunately these included all hospitality venues, including bars and restaurants, having to close their doors at 10pm and these measures are likely to last at least for 6 months. This suggests to me that my two gigs from last weekend could well be the last time I get to DJ to an audience for a while. This extremely disappointing and frustrating considering that since the end of August I have been able to take part in a few well organised and Covid safe events. Sadly the new measures means that future events are unlikely.
This will ultimately inflict more damage to the night time economy and live sector which is worth billions to the UK economy but continues to receive little or no financial support from the government unlike other sectors. This is why I’ve been working with the Night Time Industry Association, The Featured Artists Coalition, Forgotten Ltd and Excluded UK and lending my voice their various campaigns to lobby government and politicians to support and enter discussion for performers, musicians, DJS, freelancers, limited company directors, the self-employed and others to be treated fairly and on parity with other sectors. Like the whole of my sector I will be watching the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s statement on Thursday with keen interest.
This is why I am pleased to announce that I am now an official ambassador of the Featured Artists Coalition and will continue to campaign for musicians and performers like myself who have lost out financially throughout the current pandemic.
Finally, don’t forget that I’ve contributed to a new podcast from BBC 5 Live and BBC Sounds called “Ecstasy: The Battle Of Rave”. This wonderful podcast, which is presented by Chris Warburton, is the story of how ecstasy, acid house and illegal raves changed Britain forever. I’m one of the contributors alongside illegal rave organisers, promoters, drug dealers, ravers, DJs, illegal drug manufacturers, criminals, gang members, police officers, customs officers and more . This gripping podcast tells the story of the illegal rave scene of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s and the impact of ecstasy on British culture. Not only does it talk to the people who were there, it also features five superb dramatisations written by Danny Brocklehurst, known for Shameless, The Stranger, Brassic and other dramas, that feature Meera Syal, Ian Hart, Monica Dolan, Adrian Edmondson and David Morrisey.
If you were there you need to listen to this. If you weren’t, then you’ll be amazed at what you missed and learn a lot about a very important movement which had a huge influence on British society. “Ecstasy” The Battle Of Rave” will be available from your favourite podcast provider and is a must-listen for anyone who has raved or wants to know more about an important and influential period of British cultural history.
