Joy Division Orchestrated at the Royal Albert Hall / Image: magikmoment via YouTube
Peter Hook has confirmed that he will be bringing his ‘Sound of Joy Division Orchestrated’ show to Manchester for the first time later this year.
Back in 2019, the former Joy Division bassist collaborated with Manchester Camerata – a local chamber orchestra – to reimagine the seminal music created by Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and ‘Hooky’ himself in the seventies.
The product was ‘Joy Division Orchestrated’ – a remarkable show which played to packed crowds at Sydney Opera House and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Audiences were described as being “blown away” by the adventurous renditions of classic tracks from Unknown Pleasures and Closer – and now Hook has confirmed he is bringing the project back for 2021.
Best of all, there’s a gig date in Joy Division’s home region scheduled for September.
Hook played in two of the biggest British bands of all time in Joy Division and New Order, but the musician has described the orchestral project “one the most nerve-wracking things” he’s ever done.
“To sell out the Royal Albert Hall before anyone had even heard it was a fantastic compliment it has to be said,” Hook stated.
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“The reaction has been wonderful and this time around I’m looking forward to being able to enjoy it myself. To bring it to Manchester for the first time will be very, very special.”
Musical director Tim Crooks added: “It’s great news that we’ll be bringing this amazing show to The Palladium and The Apollo, two of my favourite ever venues.
“As musicians we’ve all missed being able to perform over the last year, just as fans have missed their favourite gigs.
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“Let’s hope these concerts promise a long-awaited release for everybody there.”
The Sound of Joy Division Orchestrated show will play in London on Friday 10 September, heading up to Manchester the following week on Friday 17 September.
Tickets for both gigs go on sale at 9am on Friday 5 March at 9am.
Follow the ticket link to set a release reminder and purchase tickets when they become available.
Music
James Blunt announces huge Manchester gig on new European arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is heading back out on tour next year, and has announced a massive Manchester gig as part of his run of arena shows.
The singer, perhaps best-known for his iconic 2005 pop ballad ‘You’re Beautiful’, is hitting the road again in 2027.
The newly-announced European tour is in celebration of his new album Airplane Mode, which is set for release this autumn.
James Blunt will kick off his tour in Leeds next spring, before heading over for a night at the almighty Co-op Live in Manchester.
Then he’ll head to more cities including Newcastle, Birmingham and London.
His new album, Airplane Mode, is being released on 6 November and will, according to his press release, be ‘exhilarating’.
James has already released the first single, ‘Tastes Like Summer’, and ‘Weight Of It All’, with 10 more songs to come on the record.
Airplane Mode was recorded with James’ brilliant long-standing live band, who’ll be back on tour with him next year.
Speaking of the new album, and recording in Pig Music Studios, he said: “Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury.”
James Blunt will be at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 3 April, 2027. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 9 September.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
The Manc -
2nd March 2021 
