Over 1.5 million people streamed The Hacienda House Party to raise money for night time economy

Between 12 noon and midnight on Saturday, The Hacienda hosted over 1.5 million views for the inaugural The Hacienda House Party, a live online club and conversation event that broadcasted some of the biggest legends in house music history.

In typical Hacienda style, the website crashed right away – before the proverbial doors even opened – and the all important donation page was down for a damned two hours.

Virgin have never had as much traffic trying to donate at once. In a way, that’s good…but when it’s back up, please donate! Manchester has just broken another record. Meanwhile enjoy the party https://t.co/0YgDfFNWNf #UnitedWeStreamGM #TheHacienda #StayHome

— Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) April 11, 2020

Once initial hiccups had rendered though, the day was off to a flyer with views as high as over 80K people all watching/listening at one time and #UnitedWeStreamGM was in the top five trends in the UK.

People were encouraged to dance donate and stay at home while a collection of the finest DJ’s who have frequented FAC51 came together electronically to channel the indomitable spirit of the club in aid of Manchester’s creative community and charities at this time of crisis.

American house legends Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez and David Morales headlined the bill giving up their time to play exclusively from the States. They joined The Hacienda’s own Graeme Park, Jon Dasilva, Tom Wainwright and K Klass (Live PA) who played their sets from a special lockdown studio somewhere in Greater Manchester.

Midway through the broadcast, in an An Audience With Peter Hook, Shaun Ryder & Graeme Park, the trio shared their histories and gigs together with John Robb and took questions from the live audience.

“I went out in 79 and didn’t get back until 2001,” said Shaun Ryder.

The Hacienda’s first ever Stay-At-Home-Rave, broadcasted by United We Stream Greater Manchester, was all to raise vital funds for Greater Manchester’s night time economy, creative and cultural organisations, Nordoff Robbins and The Greater Manchester’s Mayor’s Charity.

Please. Do your bit https://t.co/0YgDfFNWNf @StreamGm #TheHacienda #UnitedWeStreamGM #StayHome pic.twitter.com/8Aonwv9MzH

— Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) April 11, 2020

The channel is also used for positive public service announcements such as reinforcing the #StayHome message to support the NHS and emergency services, and other essential messaging regarding safety and social distancing.

Viewers were encouraged to donate via the website, with all proceeds of the stream going directly to a relief fund, with 8% of funds raised donated to Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity and 22% donated to the Mayor Of Greater Manchester’s Charity, meaning 70% of all funding generated will go to support Greater Manchester’s night time economy music venues, restaurants, bars, freelancers and cultural organisations who are unable to work or operate their businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Done. Thank you to everyone in front and behind the camera. Over 1.3 million views and we raised a fortune. Not least thank you to @AndyBurnhamGM for allowing us to do this. Same again tomorrow? #TheHacienda #24HourPartyPeople #UnitedWeStreamGM #StayHome

— Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) April 11, 2020

Thanks for watching safely from your own home.

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