Renowned DJ and university lecturer helps recreate superclub online to raise funds for charity

A renowned DJ and senior university lecturer has helped re-create one of the world’s most loved clubs online in front of millions of viewers and raise money for charity at the same time.

Graeme Park, who lectures on Wrexham Glyndwr University’s creative media courses, was among an all-star lineup who helped Manchester streaming site United We Stream GM to put on an all-day Hacienda stream.

The session brought together DJs from around the world who played at the world-renowned superclub to stream sets directly into the living rooms of clubbers currently remaining at home due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Hacienda session – which streamed throughout Easter Saturday – helped to raise money for charities working across Manchester’s nightlife sector and beyond and has proved so successful a second event is already planned for early May.

It is one of several charity fundraisers which Graeme has lent his DJ skills to during the pandemic – as he adapts his sets to help keep people entertained while they stay at home to save lives.

Speaking after the event, he said: “These are difficult times for many in the entertainment industry – for sound engineers, DJs, singers, musicians and more. With everyone – quite correctly – staying home and following government guidance, there are no live events – and that means, for many, there is no income coming in.

“The live music industry is one which is worth billions annually – but, like many other industries across the UK, it is on hold during the current pandemic.

“For established DJs like me and many of my colleagues, that means we are using creative media technology – of the kind I teach in my role at Glyndwr – to take what we do online, by streaming our performances and sets. All kinds of performers are taking their work online – and their audiences are responding as a result.

“That doesn’t disguise the fact that these are tough times for everyone. It’s why I’ve been working with initiatives like United We Stream GM, or charities like Nordoff Robbins, and doing my bit to lend a hand to those in my industry who need it.

“It was great to see more than 1.6 million people watch The Haçienda House Party online- and we raised a small fortune through donations for NHS and night time economy charities.

“I am confident we will get through this current crisis – and I can’t wait to see people back on the UK’s dance floors.”

A further Hacienda United We Stream event has been announced Saturday, May 9 – with guests set to be unveiled soon. For more information about the initiative, visit: https://unitedwestream.co.uk/

Graeme has described the impact which the current pandemic is currently having on the live music industry in a dedicated video for the university, in which he notes how the current lockdown restrictions affect both his industry – and him directly.