Watch as Greater Manchester residents and music stars unite in one voice

Thousands of people from across Greater Manchester took to their doorsteps and balconies yesterday evening to take part in mass singalong Together in One Voice.

The singalong was accompanied by a specially-arranged soundtrack, streamed on the night for people to join in via MIF LIVE (Manchester International Festival’s online channel), featuring performances by virtual choirs and musicians from across Greater Manchester which had been specially recorded during lockdown.

Liam Gallagher, Mark Owen of Take That, James’ Tim Booth, Emeli Sande, Mike Pickering from M People, Tom Walker, Denise Johnson, Liam Fray from The Courteeners and Aitch, all appeared on screen on the night, via the live stream, to introduce the public’s renditions of their songs.

The playlist of songs, which was also broadcast live on BBC Radio Manchester, continued with Martha and the Vandellas’ Dancing In The Streets, Emeli Sande’sYou Are Not Alone, Tom Walker’s Leave A Light On, James’ Sit Down, and M People’s Search for The Hero.

Following an intermission for what may have been the final Clap for Carers, it finished with Wonderwall by Oasis, introduced by Liam Gallagher, who said: “Hello Manchester, I hear you’re having a bit of a singalong tonight. Well I’m here to introduce the mother of all singalongs, the one and only Wonderwall. Turn it up!”

Other stars who also gave messages of support ahead of the singing included Coronation Street actors Jennie McAlpine, Simon Gregson and Julia Goulding, DJ and musician Clint Boon, Rowetta and Shaun Ryder from the Happy Mondays, Mani from the Stone Roses, and bands including Blossoms and The Lottery Winners.

“The act of singing together is so powerful,” said Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. “Tonight was something else, an amazing event of a kind that only Greater Manchester can do.”

Footage of the doorstep singalong was captured by drones, street cameras and residents and will be broadcast together with interviews with artists and participants on Sunday 31st May at 6pm on MIF Live.