We work with a wide range of music venues to livestream performances, and we’re pleased to announce that we’re now collaborating with a long-standing, legendary venue.
The Met is an independent music and theatre venue in Bury, Greater Manchester. Winners of the Music Festival of the Year and Small Music Venue of the Year in the Northern Soul Awards, the venue is well known for its eclectic range of shows and specialist folk music programme.
We’ve partnered up with The Met to broadcast a selection of live folk gigs, starting with Ranagri at the end of April.
We caught up with The Met team to talk about why folk music is so special, and why livestreaming and hybrid gigs are the way forward for arts venues.
The Met has long been a supporter of livestreaming – you’ve recorded shows to be shown in other venues (for example, recording Mercury Machine for a Japanese music conference), and have supported livestreamed shows like the Live from Komedia season.
What was it that inspired you as a venue to champion livestreamed shows?
We’re sure it’s no surprise to hear, but it all came about for us as a response to Covid closures. We’d gone from promoting about 200 shows and welcoming 40,000 ticket holders a year to absolutely nothing, so we needed to find a way to continue to engage with audiences and support artists.
We connected with StreamGM – a streaming platform dedicated to showcasing music and culture in Greater Manchester, which allowed us to continue to put on shows and keep the metaphorical doors open.
We got to livestream events to millions of people worldwide during the pandemic, and our team learned how to use livestreaming equipment. When venues opened again, we were keen to continue to champion livestreaming to reach audiences outside of the local area and those who cannot access our venue.
You’ve got a lot of wonderful folk shows lined up at The Met this year, including Spiers & Boden, Holly Clarke, and Granny’s Attic, as well as, of course, Ranagri. In your opinion, what is it about folk music that strikes such a chord with fans of the genre?
It boils down to the storytelling and the authenticity and vulnerability that come along with it. Folk fans find artists relatable as the genre often carries rich narratives, cultural traditions, and emotional honesty, which allows listeners to connect deeply with not only the music but the performer.
There’s something very genuine about folk music, especially in its most simple form. It’s warm and has an openness to human expression that audiences may not be able to find with other genres.
At a time when it’s more important to support live music than ever, what can people do to help their local music and arts venues thrive?
First things first – buy a ticket (and please, buy it early!)
Secondly, take a risk! Money is tight at the moment, and we completely understand that audiences want to spend their money on tickets for shows they are familiar with. But if you’re thinking of getting a ticket to see something you wouldn’t usually consider, please take the leap, and encourage your friends to do the same.
Not only will you have a great time and discover a brand new artist, but you’re helping emerging and mid-career level artists develop and thrive.
Finally, consider other ways to engage with your local venue. Become a member, make a one-off donation, become a volunteer, or share events across social media.
Remember that engaging with your local venue doesn’t always mean stepping inside of it, as we’re sure Live to your Living Room audiences will agree!
In your opinion, what are the three main reasons why music venues should consider hybrid gigs?
The first reason is that it allows us to reach audiences outside of Bury, particularly those who might not have a venue delivering high-quality events within their local area.
The second reason is that it allows us to reach audiences, both local and from afar, who have accessibility needs, mobility restrictions, or health concerns, and aren’t able to visit us in person.
The third reason is the community engagement aspect. We love how Live to your Living Room does this, with ticket buyers able to communicate with each other before and after a livestreamed event.
What new developments are on the cards for The Met in 2026?
Oooh, lots of things! It’s an exciting time for us at the moment as we’ve just celebrated our 50th birthday – so it’s been a pivotal time of reflection and planning for what the next 50 years will look like.
There’s not a lot we can give away at this stage, but one of our main focuses for 2026 is to grow our artist development strand, in particular, helping young artists at the very early stages of their musical or creative careers.
In terms of performance and programmes, we’re continuing to try new things and are planning to build more of a regular, community-focused programme of daytime and evening events for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Find out more and book your event tickets on The Met website: www.themet.org.uk
Ranagri play The Met on 24 April in a hybrid gig – book your tickets to watch the livestreamed show!