Manchester’s nightlife came to an end when performance venues closed down along with theatres, cinemas and other institutions two months ago.
But the party has continued online via United We Stream – a nightly free streaming of live bands, DJs, singers and performers, live every day from 7pm (donations accepted).
The shows are streamed from a specially-created studio on the stage of The Met, Bury.
Manchester’s Contact theatre joins the mix on May 31 with a night of the city’s best poets and spoken-word artists, hosted by Reece Williams and headlined by Keisha Thompson, with an appearance by Tony “Longfella” Walsh, whose emotional reading of his poem This is the Place – a tribute to the Manchester Arena victims – added extra heart to a special vigil in their honour three years ago this month. The trio will be joined by at least 10 other city-based poets.
Donation contributions provide aid for the city’s entertainment venues, bars and restaurants and artists during the COVID-19 pandemic.