Manchester’s music scene isn’t going anywhere, and with our beloved grassroots venues struggling more than ever, the city’s most iconic names are lending a helping hand. Almost a year since their acclaimed inaugural performance at the UK’s largest live entertainment arena, elbow have teamed up with Manchester’s Co-op Live to gift a combination of sound equipment to a selection of iconic grassroots music venues in the city’s renowned Northern Quarter.
Donated by Co-op Live to further improve the city’s vibrant music scene, the funds will see Manchester’s Night & Day Café, Matt and Phreds, Aatma, SOUP, Peer Hat, and The Castle Hotel benefit from the band’s ties to the East Manchester arena; celebrated for its world-leading sound and having been publicly lauded by the likes of Liam Gallagher, Take That’s Gary Barlow, Eagles’ Don Henley, and Trivium’s Matt Heafy.
Curated by Night & Day Café, the donations bring together elbow’s prestigious career as one of Manchester’s most celebrated artists with Co-op Live’s commitment to supporting new music across the city. Together, they celebrate the ongoing legacy of the Northern Quarter in cementing the North West’s legacy as a global music powerhouse. The funds will be used to purchase a combination of new PA equipment, instruments, and backline technology, dependent on individual requirements by the venues.
Speaking of the initiative, elbow frontperson Guy Garvey said: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded. When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter, and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Jennifer Smithson, owner of Night & Day Café, adds: “Live music is a careful ecosystem, and everyone has an important role to play. It’s wonderful to see Co-op Live recognise the local and national impact of venues such as ours, and we are thankful to elbow for working with the arena to help strengthen what we are offering to artists and fans coming through our doors.
“Manchester has always been famous for our sound, and we are delighted to come together to extend our legacy in 2025 and beyond.”
The donation to mark elbow’s opening performance back in May 2024 forms part of Co-op Live’s commitment to people and planet, and arrives in addition to the donation of at least £1m annually to the Co-op Foundation, Co-op Live’s official charity partner and the charitable arm of naming rights partner, Co-op.
Alongside donating sound equipment to grassroots venues with elbow, Co-op Live has also recently donated to further artist led initiatives including Happy Doggo as selected by Liam Gallagher, and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
You can find out more about the initiative and get in contact to help here.