Here are 7 excellent reasons I am travelling to Manchester next week to see 76/26//50 at The Manchester Academy.
The concept of this gig is brilliant. It is occurring on the 50th anniversary of the now legendary gig when 20 year old PETER HOOK attended at the Lesser Free Trade Hall with about 40 others. A number of those present became music luminaries. An up and coming punk band outfit fronted by PETE SHELLEY and HOWARD DEVOTO named BUZZCOCKS promoted featuring the SEX PISTOLS. HOOK was so inspired that he borrowed £35 the next day from family and bought his first bass guitar. That gig changed his life forever and impacted the lives of many others in the years that followed. Performing a career spanning gig celebrating 50 years in the music business (with BUZZCOCKS opening) is, as is often the case with Hook, genius.
Here is a YouTube piece on the 1976 gig.
Friendship
Through a quirk of fate I got to meet, spend the evening in his DJ booth and become friends with PETER in 2009 when he came to Windsor’s Boom Boom Room to do a DJ set. Travelling to this gig to honour the person I consider the most distinctive bass player in the history of indie music is both a privilege and an acknowledgement of what HOOK has meant to me. (Come visit my chambers to see some of the evidence.)
It will also be my first chance to shake Peter’s hand since JOY DIVISION/ NEW ORDER were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.
More Friendship
While I am travelling alone, I will be attending the gig with my great pals Mike and Lisa from B.F.G. They borrowed the drum machine used to record “Blue Monday” to record their goth/dance masterpiece “Amelia.” (More on them soon.)
Manchester
Firstly, it is the UK. Enough said.
As well, other than a glorious day in Manchester last July 11, I have not been to Manchester despite it being my favourite city. I look forward to checking it out.
Buzzcocks
It will only be the second time I have seen the BUZZCOCKS live. I am still gutted by the passing of founder and lead singer PETE SHELLEY.
I am looking to get a signed copy of their new LP- “Attitude Adjustment.”
I am secretly hoping original member HOWARD DEVOTO (Buzzcocks, Magazine. Solo, Luxuria, ShelleyDevoto) makes an appearance.)
I Read It In A Book
While I am a veracious reader, never get to reading anymore. Good novels consume me and I stay up even later than when I do writing these posts. I am looking at a stack of unread books before making my selection. I will advise.
Carpe Diem
While I consider myself lucky to be able to get to this 50 party, I assume that neither Hook or I will be around for the 100 party.
Music by HOOK outfits Warsaw, Joy Division*, New Order, Revenge, Monaco, Freebass, Peter Hook & The Light music will be played at this gig. I have to be there…
Here is “7 Reasons” by Hook’s band REVENGE to cue up the magic.
More to follow on this Odyssey. (a gwilliamrex odyssey, not James Joyce though.)
(*All time favourite band.)
SPOTIFY-
https://open.spotify.com/track/79C7jQkyhbSWhDXCV7xmwS?si=TGaqI3ULQAS7RdIsJt8PJw
(SONG 1662)
PLAY LOUD OR PERISH
5/28/2026
LydonAnyone?
underground365 
Leave a comment