FAC51 The Hacienda and United We Stream last week hosted the biggest ever New Year’s Eve house party in the world.
The incredible twenty-four hour live streamed event saw millions tuning in from all corners of the planet, to celebrate, and bring to an end to what has been an incredibly challenging year.
Haçienda Twenty-Four Hour House Party NYE amassed a global audience of over four million people, who enjoyed The Haçienda’s stunning line up of DJ’s, performers and even a full orchestra with the globally renowned, Hacienda Classical.
The show was totally free to watch, but donations welcome, and raised an impressive £115,000 for specially chosen good causes. The marathon show is a fitting finale for multi-award winning United We Stream GM, as the Manchester based cultural broadcasting project has now finished.
Naturally, the lion’s share of the audience hailed from The Hacienda and United We Stream GM’s home city: Greater Manchester.
The show trended no.2 in the UK on Twitter for hours leading up to midnight, with hundreds of thousands of excited people posting pictures and videos of their household celebrations, and countless comments filled with gratitude and nostalgia as they partied their way into 2021.
The Haçienda 24 Hour House Party NYE and previous Haçienda streams were all curated and co-produced by Haçienda manager, Paul Fletcher and produced live from the Met Theatre in Bury, Greater Manchester.
In total United We Stream GM has raised an incredible £583,000 in nine months for 30 good causes, and has given ‘United We Stream’ solidarity grants to 130 night time economy and hospitality freelancers and businesses, who were struggling to support themselves during the first lockdown.
The programming was rich in diversity and genres, curating events with unsigned artists alongside global headline acts. A variety of under-represented voices and cultural groups were also showcased, including a ‘Summer Prom’ to raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues in young people, ‘Breathe’, a stream curated by and exclusively featuring BAME talent and Manchester Pride, a three-day virtual festival broadcast for the LGBTQI community.
Production and fundraising have now ceased; however research is already underway to convert the platform into a sustainable model to support the regions vast cultural sector, showcasing breakthrough talent across the world.
The experience and relationships formed during United We Stream’s audacious nine-month run will support the delivery of the Greater Manchester Cultural and Night Time Recovery plan.
The £115,000 raised will be split between The Mayor of Greater Manchester’s new campaign, oneGM, Save The Children UK, Peace Meal in Hulme and The Frankie Knuckles Foundation.
All DJ’s and performers involved generously gave their time and talents gratis to the event, to help raise as much money as possible for these good causes.
Andy Burnham, who posted numerous tweets on his personal Twitter account throughout the live event enthused: “Other cities spend £££ trying to outdo each other with firework displays on New Year’s Eve.
“Greater Manchester raises £££ for people who are homeless by entertaining the world to a 24-hour party from FAC51 The Hacienda. I love this place. Still doing things differently. #ProudMayor.”
Peter Hook said: “It was wonderful that the event on New Year’s Eve was so successful and I am glad that we are starting the New Year on such a positive note. Let’s hope this year goes from strength to strength and the next time we meet will be in person.”
The Haçienda resident DJ Graeme Park played 90’s house anthem classic ‘Better Days’ as Big Ben chimed at midnight, said: “I’m extremely proud to have been part of a project that was watched by millions and raised so much money for people affected by this horrible pandemic.
“It was an absolute joy to be able to perform another exclusive Hacienda Classical set and a privilege to see in 2021 whilst DJing at the coveted midnight slot. It’s been an honour to be a part of the amazing work that FAC51 The Hacienda and United We Stream GM has carried out throughout 2020 which has quite rightly received incredible feedback.”
DJ Paulette concluded: “What an honour, a thrill and an absolute joy to be a part of the FAC51 The Haçienda show. I’ve never played to so many people in an empty room and it is crazy thinking about how many lives, homes, eyes, ears and hearts my messages of love, positivity, support, recognition and music have touched – including mine.
“So much work went into this production before anyone played a record, so big ups to everyone on the team behind the scenes and in front of the camera for creating such a beautiful 24-hours viewing.
“Happy New Year to all – to better and brighter days ahead!”
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Donations can still be made here…
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All photos courtesy of Katie Hall
