Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool’s Steve Rotheram return to the decks for charity DJ battle

The mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region are going head-to-head, but it won’t be in the political arena.

Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram are once again taking to the stage for a charity DJ battle to raise money for the fight against homelessness. The proceedings will be divided between the two city regions. In Greater Manchester, the money will go to A Bed Every Night, the GM Mayor’s Charity’s flagship programme for providing support for rough sleepers, including food and shelter. 

The fundraising event will take place in Liverpool at Camp and Furnace on Friday 2 February. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via the Quay Tickets website.

Joining the two mayors on stage will be M People’s Heather Small, actress Sally Lindsay, BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake, The Farm singer Peter Hooton and singer Rebecca Ferguson. 

This is not the first time the two mayors have got behind the DJ decks. Their last battle took place at Mayfield Depot, home of Warehouse Project, in December 2022, where they were joined by MP Angela Rayner and The Royle Family’s Sue Johnston. Andy Burnham has also previously showed off his selection skills at Ramona back in August 2022. 

The Greater Manchester Mayor 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”

Steve Rotheram 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.”