We hope you are keeping well, amidst the Covid chaos? Since we went into lockdown, our way of working has taken on a whole new guise, much like our way of life.
As our clients restaurants, hotels, bars and venues all over the world closed their physical doors, the virtual world began live-streaming direct in our homes. Creative, interactive and vital online communities were created to offer some semblance of normality – and a place to escape for many. Our usual weekend outings transformed into a party for one at home, which is now our future for the foreseeable.
We Are Indigo has supported takeover events with Greater Manchester’s leaders in Covid-19 streaming – United We Stream GM, which supports Greater Manchester’s night-time venues and to date has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the people and organisations that make up the region’s music and culture scene.
First-up was the massive virtual 10-hour stay-at-home disco with La Discotheque. The event also saw the return of La Piscothèque – the toilet rave usually held at the club night’s spiritual home of Albert Hall – only this time, the DJs were partying from their own bathrooms at home.
And for the May Bank Holiday weekend, we supported Homo Electric’s STAY HOMO, 12-hour rave. A queer party for all where love was the message, STAY HOMO presented an incredible line-up, including The Black Madonna, Róisín Murphy and Luke Unabomber. We secured a live stream across DJ Mag and an interview with headliner, The Black Madonna, on Lauren Laverne’s show on BBC 6 Music.
We Are Indigo has also been instrumental in supporting The Warehouse Project’s At Home with WHP series, in partnership with agency, The Rest is Noise. Its virtual music event series brings major parties and DJ sets to the homes of ravers around the world. WHP launched the series with Aphex Twin’s full performance from WHP19, at its home at Depot, complete with interactive visuals, all edited by Weirdcore. This saw a cross partnership with Vice UK and a spread of coverage across national and regional media, including The Guardian.
Virtual entertainment is now our future, from cooking classes hosted by acclaimed chefs, wellbeing and workouts through a webcam, to live-streaming from the homes of global musicians and DJs. For those brands looking to create a virtual experience to entertain an audience, we can help amplify the message. We are destination experts – we drive people into places, and now we drive people into the virtual existence. We can support with a structured 360 campaign to drive awareness and attendance, and most importantly ensure its cross promoted on the most relevant digital platforms to reach your audience. For those looking to launch a virtual experience, we are here to help, and chat through any ideas you may have!
We Are Indigo has also supported Events 4 Covid with vital PR, to spread the message on all the good they are doing. Initiated by CityCo and Mustard Media, Events 4 Covid taps into the resources of the events industry – where many thousands of suppliers, service providers and freelancers are out of work. A network of event organisers and suppliers, large and small in North-West, has been created to pool together to assist with requests from the NHS, local government, charities and any other organisations that need support right now to help with any efforts to support the community in the fight against the virus. We have been able to utilise our contacts in the field to assist with some of the requests, including offering a comfortable stay at Hotel Indigo Victoria Station Manchester, for a Doctor in need of some much-needed respite.
Some of the team have also put their skills and time into volunteer work, supporting Open Kitchen – normally Manchester’s one and only waste food catering social enterprise. But during Covid, they have turned their hand to supporting vulnerable people across Manchester with good home-cooked meals, making sure no one goes hungry. Working in partnership with Manchester City Council, Open Kitchen are providing nutritious meals to people who are homeless, people who are elderly, families in poverty, and many more. They are currently sending out over 11,000 meals a week!
During this time, we have refreshed our WE ARE INDIGO Instagram profile, making it a hub for all the amazing quotes we’ve received for our clients, from the media and journalists we work with. What’s next? Over the next few weeks We Are Indigo will be working with our hospitality and destination clients to discuss phased re-opening plans, and strategic comms for the sector; ensuring safety messages are first and foremost.
Look after yourself, we can’t wait to see you one day soon.
Love from We Are Indigo