At a fancy-dress party in the early 1980s, one guest stood out among the various heroes and villains of the night: A man in a giant papier-mache head.
The face was shaped like a rugby ball. The eyes were wide and unblinking, resembling a pair of Pacman heads. The hair was painted-on – with a single streak removed to resemble a side parting. The mouth was carved out as a pair of protruding, pillowy lips.
That party crowd – who were both tickled and terrified by what they saw – would be Frank Sidebottom’s first ever audience.
Within months, people were actually paying to see him.
By the nineties, Sidebottom – a whiney, constantly-distracted overgrown child in a badly-fitted suit – had turned into a multi-talented superstar of Timperley: A lead singer, comedian, chat show host, guest speaker and football club founder all rolled into one.
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He left his mark in music, media and print; spending a lot of time performing off-key, localised covers of classic songs (Born In Timperley, Panic On The Streets Of Timperley, Anarchy In Timperley etc.) whilst his other adventures were detailed in cartoons (drawn himself).
When he wasn’t performing on stage or cheering on his football team Timperley Bigshorts (which he created) from the sidelines, Sidebottom could be found frolicking all over Manchester, be it splashing through water fountains on live TV, pestering passers-by, or parading through gardens with the head of Aphex Twin on a stick.
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He appeared at Reading Festival, Wembley, The Cavern Club and pretty much any place in Manchester that had a stage. Sometimes he’d just head out to the pubs and chat nonsense to a half-drunk crowd.
He lived an enigmatic life quite unlike any other character in history – with authors, journalists, filmmakers and fans still poring through his back catalogue to this day.
The man underneath the head was Chris Sievey – a young illustrator, doodler and musician. He’d mocked up the costume on a whim for an evening out, but decided to don the large head more regularly after seeing Sidebottom strike a chord.
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The papier-mache was constantly being refined before eventually being upgraded to fibreglass, and Sievey would always wear a nosepeg tied to a cord around his ears to ensure Sidebottom spoke with a nasal, northern twang.
One person to play with Sidebottom during his heyday was journalist Mark Kermode.
“Everyone who was in Manchester at that period gigged with Frank Sidebottom,” commented the critic.
“Because Frank Sidebottom performed all the time, anywhere and everywhere.”
Starting out as mega-fan for The Freshies (Sievey’s band), Sidebottom slowly turned into a big draw on the gig circuit, which led to him branching out as his own musician, before eventually turning into an interviewer and on-the-ground journalist.
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He became the Manc equivalent of The Naked Cowboy in Times Square; a familiar sight for locals, but someone who perplexed out-of-towners.
Given his Marmite brand of humour, it was always fascinating to see what type of reaction Sidebottom would get from his interview subjects. Celebrity guests on his chat series Frank’s Proper Tele Show would either keel over laughing at the absurdity of it all, or sit squirming in their seats in visible discomfort.
Not that it really mattered who was on the show, anyway. They’d barely get a word in edgeways.
Sidebottom would pepper his guests with inane questions and seemingly lose interest in the answer before the final word fell off his tongue; promptly flopping back into his chair, flailing his limbs in the air, or letting his oval head droop to the ground.
Sometimes, he’d make an inquiry then respond to it himself. On other occasions he’d throw tantrums.
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Sidebottom’s later shows were screened on the now-defunct Channel M for smaller local audiences, and there’d be ridiculous prizes for those who tuned in. He would proudly present items like “out of date food”; “a press pass to get into an event that’s already finished” and “pickled Power Rangers” (toy figures inside pickle jars); promising to mail each gift out to the winner.
As if Sidebottom himself wasn’t peculiar enough, he’d often bring out a cardboard mirror image puppet – Little Frank – who he’d routinely berate.
Anyone meeting Sidebottom would find getting a sensible conversation out of him absolutely impossible. One BBC interviewer, adamant to uncover the truth, once asked him: “What is it you’re trying to do?”
“I’m trying to make some money without me mum finding out,” replied Sidebottom.
But it was supposed to be that way. As his old bandmate Rick Sarko put it: “Frank didn’t want to be exposed as being a normal human being. Which he wasn’t.”
Very few people had Sidebottom figured out. Even now, ten years after his death, speculation surrounding the character remains rife.
Some think he was just a bizarre comic creation built solely as an excuse for Sievey to act daft and score cheap laughs in snooker clubs. But those closest to the man with the big red smile believed it was more complicated than that.
The fact that Sidebottom’s true identity was a mystery for many years was no accident. Sievey had gone to great lengths to keep it that way.
One of the few people who knew the real man during his lifetime was the journalist Jon Ronson, who played alongside Sidebottom in his Oh Blimey Big Band (the criteria for getting into the group was Ronson’s ability to play notes C, F and G successfully).
When Ronson walked backstage for the first time and said hello to “Chris”, a strange silence filled the air. He cautiously corrected the greeting to “Frank”, and only then, did he get a cheery, nasally reply.
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When it came to Sidebottom, Sievey never, ever phoned it in. When that giant head went on, he completely slipped away and let his chaotic character take the reins.
Mick Middles, Sidebottom’s biographer, suggested Sievey was consumed by his creation, calling the transformation into Sidebottom as “unsettling and remarkable”.
It reached a point where Sievey flipping between egos wasn’t entirely voluntary. It just happened.
Ronson remembers that Sievey would sometimes stay in character as Sidebottom for hours after he was done performing – despite there being no audience to play up to.
Andy Hay / Flickr
Sievey and Sidebottom seemed to live very different lives. But occasionally, the lines between them would blur.
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When Sievey was summoned to court for late payments to HMRC, for example, the experience was supposed to scare him straight, but instead it served as inspiration for Sidebottom to write a song about the merits of the taxman.
The footage of him singing “tax is absolutely fantastic” whilst merrily filling in financial forms on a kitchen table in front of an absolutely baffled onlooker is gold.
A restless creative and fun-loving cartoonist, Sievey had little time for the dull seriousness of adulthood, and Sidebottom offered him the perfect outlet for escape.
Still, the pair didn’t always coexist harmoniously.
In Steve Sullivan’s wonderful documentary, “Being Frank”, it’s revealed that Sievey set the costume aside for a period, partly resenting the fact that Sidebottom had become famous when “Chris” had not.
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Sievey spent time away from Sidebottom by working as a designer on animated shows like Pingu and Bob The Builder, but he couldn’t stay mad at his alter ego for long.
After a lengthy absence, he blew the dust off the head and the two reconciled, although the comeback would tragically be cut short.
Sievey was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, and he was found unresponsive on the floor of his flat just weeks later.
He passed away on 21 June 2010 at the age of 54.
Frank Sidebottom & Chris Sievey’s Big Page / Facebook
Despite Sidebottom’s local fame, Sievey died almost penniless, and was left facing a pauper’s funeral until Ronson tweeted the news to followers.
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Within hours, Sievey’s family had a pot overspilling with thousands to give him the kind of send-off he deserved.
Sidebottom has been gone for a decade, but you can still see him today – encased in bronze in his hometown of Timperley; a single thumb raised to greet passers-by.
The Sidebottom statue sculptor, who hailed from Eastern Europe, admitted she’d never seen anyone quite like him when she was recruited to do the work.
Even in death, Sidebottom was still surprising people.
A scheduled memorial was due to take place in Timperley this weekend; ten years to the day since Sidebottom bid farewell. But, like so many other major gatherings in 2020, the meet-up has been scuppered.
You can’t help but wonder what Sidebottom would have made of everything happening today. He’d certainly have had no problem with being locked down in his hometown.
Between his statue’s feet lies a plaque containing a message scrawled in the lower-case cartoonish handwriting style that both Sievey and Sidebottom favoured.
“As long as I gaze on Timperley sunset, I am in paradise,” it reads.
You know he was, he really was.
Feature
Handwritten notes addressed to strangers are being left around Manchester city centre
Georgina Pellant
Handwritten notes penned by a stranger on the other side of the world have been appearing on the streets of Manchester, giving a heartwarming lift to eagle-eyed locals in need of a few kind words.
The letters, all titled ‘Dear Stranger,’ are brimming with kindness and positivity and have been bringing a smile to the faces of passers-by in the city centre over the past few weeks.
Written by author and adopted Manc Jay Ventress, to date the campaign has spread across the globe with letters appearing in the UK, Belgium, Australia, and the United States of America.
His letter writing campaign first began as a coping mechanism at the start of the pandemic, because, as he says himself, “at the time everything felt dark, I was a Brit trapped in Australia, so to brighten up my life I began writing little letters to make a stranger smile to make me smile.”
Three years on, they have been spotted in both Manchester and Leeds – with one person in Manchester even taking the time to post a letter back in response.
Image: Jay the Author
Image: The Manc Group
Jay’s letter, which has been taped to a box on Stevenson Square, advises its readers: “When life turns cold, that’s life’s brutal gift to remind you to open your eyes to the hidden beauty of the world. To grab that hidden beauty and gift it to another stranger who might feel down.”
“If you’re stuck in a job you hate, failing school, lost and lonely living in a big city, it’s the little memories in your day that stand out and make you smile for a second.
“Moments like a stranger smiling at you, somebody opening the door for you, or finding a little letter of encouragement to remind you how special you are.”
The full letter reads: ‘Dear Stranger, sometimes when life feels tough, when everything feels painful, cold, that’s when you wake up.
“You desperately search everywhere and anywhere for a slither of hope. Like right now, look at you!
“You found my secret letter! You’re more observant than most!
“I started writing my letters in Australia, during the pandemic, because at the time everything felt dark, I was a Brit trapped in Australia, so to brighten up my life I began writing little letters to make a stranger smile to make me smile.
“If you’re stuck in a job you hate, failing school, lost nd lonely living in a big city, it’s the little memories in your day that stand out and make you smile for a second.
“Moments like a stranger smiling at you, somebody opening the door for you, or finding a little letter of encouragement to remind you how special you are. When life turns cold, that’s life’s brutal gift to remind you to open your eyes to the hidden beauty of the world. To grab that hidden beauty and gift it to another stranger who might feel down.
“Like you are doing now, if you choose to open your eyes too see, you’ll find so much beauty and if you gift that beauty to another soul, I assure you, life will reward you too.
In response to Jay’s letter, at least one local person has taken it upon themselves to write back to thank him for his efforts.
In a post shared to Jay’s Instagram of different responses from around the world, one like-minded Manc wrote: “Hi! I hope you are well! I saw your note in Manchester today, and I just wanted to share how touching I found it.
“As someone who as also struggled in the past, I keep a long notes list in my phone of ‘moments of unsaid love’ that I witness to remind myself of how much around us goes unnoticed.
“It was so lovely to read something from someone likeminded, and I saw your note just when I needed to be reminded myself. Thank you again, I hope you have a lovely day Jay!”
The 26-year-old letter writer originally hails from Yorkshire, but moved to Manchester as a teenager and worked in the city before deciding to travel the world four years ago.
Courteeners at Heaton Park – setlist, support, stage times and tickets
Daisy Jackson
The time has finally come for Courteeners to take to the stage for their massive summer homecoming gig, back in the fields of Heaton Park.
The Middleton rockers will be taking up the Friday night slot before Parklife kicks off, performing on the festival’s main stage.
The concert will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the band’s seminal debut album St Jude, back in the city where it all began.
Courteeners will be playing through that iconic debut in full, alongside all their biggest hits from their six studio albums.
It’s not the first time Courteeners – fronted by Liam Fray – have performed in Heaton Park. In fact, this is the third time they’ve gigged on this patch of home turf.
St Jude was produced by Stephen Street and spawned anthems including Not Nineteen Forever, What Took You So Long?, and No You Didn’t, No You Don’t.
It recently broke records by reaching number one upon its release, becoming the album with the longest time between release and charting at number one in history – hitting the top spot a staggering 14 years, 9 months and 14 days later.
Speaking about the special St Jude Heaton Park show, Liam Fray said: “They grow up so fast. Can’t believe our darling St. Jude is 15 next year.
Courteeners celebrating their number one album in Mr Thomas’s Chop House. Credit: Instagram @what_liam_saw
“Think it’s time for a celebration and we all know that great things come in threes….The Star Wars Trilogy, Sooty, Sweep & Soo and now, here we are, with the third instalment of ‘Courteeners at Heaton Park’. June 2015. June 2019 and now June 2023 …
“This time, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its release we’ll be playing ST. JUDE (in full) PLUS (of course) THE HITS.
“I can’t think of any better way to celebrate than to make the pilgrimage to Heaton Park with like-minded souls and lose ourselves like it’s 2008. And, because we’re good like that, we’ve remastered the original album.
“GOD BLESS THE BAND. GOD BLESS THE FANS. OMNE TRIUM PERFECTUM.”
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re heading to see Courteeners at Heaton Park.
Who’s supporting Courteeners at Heaton Park?
DMA’s. Credit: Publicity picture
This is massive – there are FOUR acts taking to the Parklife main stage at Heaton Park before Courteeners pop up, creating what’s essentially a mini Manc festival.
First up will be a DJ set from Katie Owen, who’ll get the vibes going from the second the doors open.
Then you can sink your teeth into this lot…
Brooke Combe
Scottish singer-songwriter Brooke Combe will be the first live singer to hit the stage this Friday.
She’s a multi-instrumentalist with a seriously powerful voice, and is tipped for very big things indeed.
The Snuts
Indie rockers and festival favourites The Snuts are next up, showcasing songs from their two studio albums, including their debut W.L. which shot straight to the top of the UK Albums Chart.
They’ve supported huge names over the years, including Kings of Leon, The Kooks, and Louis Tomlinson.
DMA’s
This Aussie three-piece will be back in town this week, showing off music from their latest album How Many Dreams? as well as their three previous records.
Their gigs in Manchester always have an air of a homecoming show about them. It doesn’t really make sense – they’re half-a-globe away from their actual home – but this bunch of Aussies have adopted that very distinctive Manc swagger, down to the waterproof parkas they all wear on stage.
It’s not looking good if you’ve not managed to get tickets so far – Courteeners looks to be completely sold out.
There are a few tickets floating around on resale sites, but make sure you’re buying from a reputable site and not about to get ripped off.
What are the stage times for Courteeners and support acts?
Stage times are always subject to change, but this should be the rough times that you can stick to on Friday night.
Doors open 4pm
DJ Katie Owen – 4pm – 5.30pm
Brooke Combe – 5.30pm – 6pm
The Snuts – 6.20pm – 7pm
DMA’s – 7.30pm – 8.20pm
Courteeners – 9pm – 10.45pm
How do I get to Heaton Park?
Courteeners. Credit: Michael Clement
The area around Heaton Park is expected to be extremely busy for Courteeners, with around 40,000 people descending on the park for the gig.
This is TfGM’s advice if you’re one of them.
Metrolink
A six-minute service will operate pre and post-event to stops near the venue on the Bury line.
Please use Heaton Park for travel to the gig and Bowker Vale for travel post-event.
The last tram to the city centre from Bowker Vale will depart at 1.07am. While, the last tram to Bury from Bowker Vale will depart at 00.21am.
For the safe management of crowds exiting the concert, Heaton Park will close at 9pm on the Friday.
Buses and bus diversions
Due to the road closures and traffic around the site, a number of bus services will be diverted on Friday. Services 66, 90 and 94 will be on diversion all day on Friday, whilst diversions for services 41, 59, 135 and 156 will be implemented from 6pm until 2am.
If you plan on taking the bus, don’t forget that you can search your service and plan your journey on our bus webpage.
For more information about fares on buses in Greater Manchester, visit our Get On Board webpage.
Driving
There is a strictly-enforced residents parking only zone around the Heaton Park area.
All drop-offs and pick-ups will be directed to the Sainsburys car park on Heaton Park Road (postcode for sat navs M9 0QS).
If you have no alternative but to drive to the event, use one of 24 Park and Ride sites on the network and complete your journey by tram to Heaton Park or Bowker Vale.
What’s the expected setlist?
Courteeners have done a couple of warm-up shows before their Heaton Park gig, so we’ve got a bit of an idea of what to expect.
And yes, as mentioned already, you’ll get to hear all of that brilliant St Jude…
Aftershow Kimberley Cavorting Acrylic Kings of the New Road Please Don’t No You Didn’t, No You Don’t Bide Your Time Fallowfield Hillbilly That Kiss Yesterday, Today & Probably Tomorrow How Come Smiths Disco It Must Be Love Are You in Love With a Notion? The 17th Hanging Off Your Cloud Modern Love Not Nineteen Forever What Took You So Long?