Elbow team up with Co-op Live arena to help grassroots Manchester venues

Bury band Elbow has partnered with Manchester’s Co-op Live arena to help grassroots venues in the city.

Funds for new equipment at a range of small venues in the city have been donated as part of the initiative.

The scheme has been ‘curated’ by Northern Quarter venue Night & Day Café, which has strong links to the band from before they were signed to a record label.

Venues that will benefit from the funds include Matt and Phreds, Aatma, SOUP, Peer Hat, and The Castle Hotel.

Elbow singer Guy Garvey said: “When [Co-op Live] 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, added: “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.”