Sorry for the slight delay, but it has taken me 24 hours to decompress after the epochal gig I was fortunate to attend here in Manchester on June 4.
Many of you have been patiently waiting for my “review” – so here goes.
The event was at the Manchester Academy on the Univetsity Of Manchester campus.
It was a wall of devotees from the get- go. I got my merch but it was hard work with only two persons handling the sales.
The opener was BUZZCOCKS. They promoted the June 4, 1976 gig and just released a new LP as STEVE DIGGLE forges ahead without PETE SHELLEY. We were back near the merch table for their 18 song set. The view was crap (see below) and the sound not great.
They played many of their classic tunes including “What Do I Get”, “Boredom”, “Orgasm Addict” and their most well- known song- “Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Should’t’ve)”. See the video below.
(SONG 1671)
I enjoyed the set, but it was a bit long for what we knew was coming.
[Ed. Note- rex was on his feet at the gig without a break for 5 hours.]
At the shiftover, my pal ELLIOT (DANSE SOCIETY, BFG and WEAVEWORLD) and I worked our way closer to the stage. [Ed. Note- rex hadn’t travelled 5818 kilometres not to go the last 118 feet or so.]
As was appropriate, PETER opened the gig relating his experience seeing the SEX PISTOLS on June 4, 1976. When he saw them that night he was inspired to get a bass guitar the next day. He thought that the Pistols were “shit” and he thought “I can do that.”
Here is the rousing cover version of “Anarchy In The UK” as the opener.
(SONG 1672)
And so we were off on an unparalleled musical journey.
Here is my signed setlist to save you the suspense.
I will share a couple of the innumerable highlights.
The JOY DIVISION set ended, as I hoped it would because HOOKY had legendary Mancunian vocalist ROWETTA on to sing “Atmosphere.”It was the first time I had seen her perform this live with HOOKY. It is one of the greatest tracks ever. As well, for me, it was petsonal because on November 15, 2018 in Wroclaw, Poland, Peter dedicated his performance of this track in memory of my father, GEORGE E. KING, who had just passed away. Kinda gave me a lump in the throat watching Rowetta sing this classic.
(SONG 1673)
By the way, I was demoted from reprising my 2019 bit singing of the rap course on “World In Motion” by the original singer, legendary footballer, JOHN BARNES! I didn’t take it personally.
Here are a few of the songs from the evening that I could pull from YouTube.
A snippet of “Shadowplay”
(SONG 1674)
My fave song ever- “Transmission.”
(SONG 1675)
The first NEW ORDER track HOOK wrote- “Dreams Never End”-
(SONG 1676)
A rousing version of
“Age Of Consent” by NEW ORDER-
(SONG 1677)
The MONACO gem “What Do You Want From Me?”
(SONG 1678)
A snippet of the transition track- “Ceremony”. That is, it was wtitten by JOY DIVISION and the first NEW ORDER single.
(SONG 1679)
And finally, after an amazing 3 hours and 34 songs from HOOK’S career (with just one 5 min break after 13 songs) HOOKY dedicated is set closer “Love Will Tear Us Apart” to IAN CURTIS.
HOOK dedicated it to IAN CURTIS. He stated CURTIS is responsible for what has become Manchester.
In his excellent book, “Manchester Unspun )How a city got high on music)” author ANDY SPINOZA writes that when he came to Manchester is 1979, the city was “sliding into the dustbin of history.” The impact this music has had on this city and the world cannot be forgotten.
Here are some of the poignant CURTIS lyrics:
Why is the bedroom so cold// Turned away on your side// Is my timing that flawed// Our respect run so dry?//.,.
You cry out in your sleep// All my failings exposed// And there’s a taste in my mouth as desperation takes hold…
(SONG 1680)
What a career! What an inspiration to so many of us.
HOOK was so spent after the gig he was literally speechless. I got to say just a few words to him.
An evening I will never forget…
I hope you enjoyed this review.
PLAY LOUD OR PERISH
June 6, 2026
underground365 
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