100 gigs streamed from The Globe to the World

[press release 4 March 2021]

The UK’s first community-owned music venue is about to celebrate its 100th livestream performance on Sunday 14 March.

The Globe in Newcastle upon Tyne, which is run by a co-op committed to live music, has been developing livestreaming during the pandemic. Now it broadcasts 15 events a month including jazz, folk, rock, classical and spoken word. Performers and technicians work in a covid-secure environment to deliver high quality video via YouTube.

Since last May these livestreams have been viewed by thousands of people in the UK, in Europe and in countries across the world. They have also raised nearly £40,000 for musicians and other performers whose incomes have been drastically reduced.

The band playing the 100th livestream is Bossa Trio, an international jazz group who will be travelling from Edinburgh to perform (they have checked their travel arrangements with the police).

Rob Heron, events manager at The Globe, said: “It’s an incredible achievement for this small music bar in Newcastle to have livestreamed 100 gigs when almost all venues are closed. Musicians are delighted to have the opportunity to play here live and make some money. They are all impressed by the quality of the sound and video. We are looking ahead to our 200th livestream.”

When the first lockdown started in March 2020, the co-op that owns The Globe involved its members and supporters in developing a plan for the future. There was a very strong desire to find a way of providing live music as soon as possible and to make the venue safe for performers and audiences. The Globe has been refurbished and redecorated, and new sound, light and video equipment has been installed by a team of volunteers. The Globe was fortunate in accessing funding from Power to Change and the Culture Recovery Fund.

Debra Milne, co-chair of the co-op that owns The Globe, said: “Our livestreaming is very successful and we will certainly continue it after audiences can return to the venue. We are aiming to provide the best of both worlds. The audience seated in the venue gets to see the musicians in an intimate but safe environment, while those who live too far away or who would prefer not to travel receive as close to the live gig experience as can be achieved.”

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NOTE FOR EDITORS
The Globe is owned and run by Jazz.Coop, which is the trading name of Pink Lane Jazz Co-op Ltd, a registered cooperative society. It was bought freehold following a successful community share issue in 2014. The cooperative has over 230 members who elect a board of unpaid directors to manage the business.