Northern mayors to go head-to-head in charity DJ battle follow-up in Liverpool

MAYORS Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram are set to face off against each other in a massive DJ Battle fundraiser in Liverpool.

The pair will be taking to the decks on Friday 2 February 2024 at Camp and Furnace, as Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region go head-to-head in a good-natured music battle, all for a worthy cause.

The charity event will be somewhat of a round three re-match for the pair, with their first clash taking place online during pandemic and an award-winning follow-up in Manchester in December 2022 raising over £25,000.

Proceeds from the night will be distributed between the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester charities, with all funds supporting initiatives to tackle homelessness and end the need for rough sleeping. In the Liverpool City Region, proceeds will be directed to homeless charities across the area through Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside. In Greater Manchester, the money will support A Bed Every Night, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s flagship ongoing programme to provide emergency wrap-around support to those rough sleeping, offering guaranteed food and shelter.

Tickets for the February fixture are set to be released soon, with people urged to follow the charities’ and the Mayors’ social media accounts to be the first to know.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“I’ve long said that our region is the undisputed home on British music and I’m looking forward to going head-to-head with Andy to settle this debate once and for all. Best of all, this year’s contest is on home soil!

“Despite all the light-hearted jokes we make about regional tribalism, we were absolutely blown away by the support and generosity of everyone who got behind last year’s DJ battle and donated to such a cause that’s very close to all our hearts. Afterall, the measure of any decent society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens – and we’re showing that the North West will always stand united in support of those who need it most.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:

“We’re coming back but this time we’re heading over to Liverpool. I was so proud of what we achieved with our DJ Battle last year, using the power of music and friendly rivalry to unite behind one powerful message, that homelessness has no place in Greater Manchester. It’s going to be bigger and better this time round, as we spread the fundraising and ramp up the noise over in Liverpool.”

Last year’s celebration at Manchester’s Mayfield Depot saw Rowetta, Nihal Arthanayake, Stanley Chow and Clint Boon show up for Manchester, whilst Team Liverpool boasted Peter Reid, Ian McCulloch, The Farm, and actress Sue Johnston. It famously saw Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner MP swap the despatch box for the decks, with a now viral clip of her spinning N-Trance’s ‘Set You Free’.

It’s all part of a concerted and creative effort to tackle the challenge of homelessness across the region. The current financial crisis is seeing communities facing increasingly tough challenges.

The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Chairty remain resolute that they can address the challenges against increasing adversity, with campaigns, events and challenges that have to date raised millions.

Tim Heatley, Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, said:

“The last DJ battle was epic. It ramped up the friendly rivalry between the two city regions and saw the Mayors and region’s cheerleaders all giving up their time for a common goal. Music has the power to unite communities and these head-to-heads have shown the willingness of music-lovers to put their hand in their pockets, support a worthy cause and have a great night in the while doing so. We’re getting warned up for Liverpool and can’t wait to bring the party to the city.”

Rae Brooke, Chief Executive of Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside, said:

“We’re so pleased to be working with Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for DJ Battle round 2! It was clearly such a great night last time, and the funds raised were phenomenal. This year, it will be even better and I’m delighted that we can be part of it.”

Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s A Bed Every Night has helped tackle homelessness across the region ever since its peak in 2017. Since 2020 it’s helped nearly 6,000 people, with 2,910 people supported in the last year alone. Currently, there are 658 people in A Bed Every Night who would otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping.

In the Liverpool City Region, Mayor Rotheram is piloting a pioneering new approach to tackling homelessness. Housing First which has helped hundreds of local people out of homelessness and into a home of their own, with 90% sustaining their tenancy. This is alongside the region’s Assertive Outreach Service which has supported hundreds of people who were rough sleeping or at risk of doing so, helping them into temporary accommodation and providing support around physical and mental health.

Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside distributes funds to charities and community groups in the Liverpool City Region. Their knowledge of the sector allows them to find and reach charities in their community, including lesser-known charities operating at a grass-roots level; ensuring charitable awards create lasting change.