Manchester festival announces Christmas show to help the homeless
- After All festival announces Christmas show with profits going to Musicians Against Homelessness.
- Government data shows rough sleeping on the rise.
- Gig on December 22nd will feature former Stone Roses support act
A Manchester-based festival has announced a Christmas show with all of the profits going to a homeless charity.
The After All Christmas party began as an idea for an assignment at BIMM Manchester in 2018. Owen Meikle-Williams, founder of After All budgeted and planned his first music festival, which became the first edition of After All. Since the first gig in 2019, After All has gone from strength to strength.
The After All Christmas party on the December 22nd at the Castle Hotel, will feature a performance from Chris Bridgett. Chris, formerly of Cold Water Swimmers and G.O.D. will be supported by Marbellas and Intelligence of Plants.
Owen said: “I never had to deal with homelessness as a kid, but I see people on the street. I think, if just a little bit of money from musicians can go towards homelessness”
“It may not make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. but if we can do a tiny bit to help, isn’t it worth it.”
The announcement of the gig came just days after the comments of former home secretary Suella Braverman stating many people are rough sleeping as a lifestyle choice.
Government data estimates a total of 2,893 people were sleeping rough on a single night, showing a rise of 446 people from March 2023.
In response the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “homelessness is the end product of systemic failures in our housing market, not a lifestyle choice.”
‘After all that’s happened, let music bring us together.’
Owen Meikle-Williams, After All founder
In 2017, Owen said: “after all that’s happened, let music bring us together,” and he hopes this message is received in his efforts against homelessness.