Exclusive new star-studded footage to be broadcast Sunday 31 May 6:00 pm on MIF LIVE
Music fans are in for a treat this weekend with the broadcasting of an exclusive Sunday 'Special' showing an as-it-happened round-up of what Greater Manchester's amazing mass doorstep singalong, 'Together In One Voice', looked like across the whole 500 square miles of the city region.
The night saw local people throw open their windows and take to their doorsteps and balconies to join in with the joyous mass singalong that was supported by a host of top musical talent.
Thousands followed the star-studded one-off event last Thursday (28 May) via live-stream on MIF Live, Manchester International Festival's YouTube channel, and a simultaneous broadcast on BBC Radio Manchester.
A call-out for people to send in pictures and videos of themselves taking part, for possible inclusion in the Sunday night special, saw hundreds of videos and pictures being submitted overnight.
Footage was received from people right across Greater Manchester - all hoping they might make the final cut. Inclusion means the chance to star alongside contributions from the likes of Liam Gallagher, Mark Owen, Emeli Sande, Tom Walker and Tim Booth of James.
Sunday's show will premiere at 6:00 pm on MIF LIVE - amplified across various YouTube playlists.
It features additional footage from iconic Manchester band New Order, actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, poet Mike Garry, musician Aziz Ibrahim, and artists Yemi Bolatiwa, KSR, Berry Blacc, The Lottery Winners, and Jenna G - all adding their voices to the broadcast special that highlights the breadth and diversity of music and communities in Greater Manchester.
The footage shot by all those across the 500 square mile city region who took to their balconies and doorsteps to sing their hearts out on Thursday night, will be mixed in for Sunday's broadcast with stunning drone-shots and filmed on-street highlights from Bolton, Salford, and central Manchester - all shot in lockdown conditions under the late evening sun.
For anyone who managed to miss out on the doorstep sing-a-long, whether they are in Manchester, Manhattan, or Melbourne - no panic! They can tune in wherever they are on Sunday and enjoy the messages and well-wishes from the stars who took part. Centre-stage however will be the people of Greater Manchester, many of whom have contributed their amazing voices and fantastic musical talents.
Rose Marley, Event Director, said: "This is what Greater Manchester is all about - community, music, and looking after each other. Sunday's edit will showcase Greater Manchester at its best."
John McGrath, Artistic Director, Manchester International Festival, said: “The community spirit seen across Manchester with Together In One Voice was genuinely moving. Don’t miss Sunday’s 6pm show re-living the whole experience - with footage taken from streets across Greater Manchester and some fantastic guest appearances.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Something special happened on the doorsteps of Greater Manchester this week - it was about friendship, connection, and hope for the future. Hearing the city streets filled with music and voices and humour again after so long was just wonderful and showed the true spirit of our communities."
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "The act of singing together is so powerful. The night was something else, an amazing event of a kind that only Greater Manchester can do.”
Thousands of people across Greater Manchester took to their doorsteps and windows to take part in the event.
Registered Nurse Angela Hutton from Boothstown said: "What a fantastic night we had listening to @togetherMCR! As a road and a community we've come together weekly and supported each other and all our neighbours. We practiced all the songs and sang along with the rehearsals in advance, and the night ended with us all listening to the concert through speakers on the street, joining in singing and dancing, followed by the weekly clap for keyworkers. We've had new sets of neighbours on the street in the last year, and half of us didn't know each other before this. But now we feel like old friends and there's a real sense of community."
Beverley Shepherd's grandson took part in the event. She said: "He has really enjoyed getting involved with the singing, he's found singing has given him confidence, opportunities and a new purpose. He's been able to find motivation during lockdown by focusing his mind on music and it's taken his mind off the current situation. He really wanted to get involved with the event, to share in the experience and to feel valued."
Together In One Voice was delivered by social entrepreneur Rose Marley and Manchester International Festival, alongside Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and supported by Co-op.