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Windsor Gets Set For Joe Strummer Inspired Festival

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5th October 2007

Windsor Gets Set For Joe Strummer Inspired Festival

A weekend of new music and arts presented by Strummerville: The Joe Strummer Foundation For New Music is to take place from October 19. Taking place at the Windsor Arst Centre, the Riot On The Radiofestival will celebrate music, film, art and spoken word by artists inspired by the late Clash man Joe Strummer. Highlights of the weekend include Spiritualized's Sean Cook's project The Flies and a Rock'n'Roots night DJ'ed by Andy Weatherall and DJ Scratchy. The opening night party includes a screening of recent acclaimed biopic Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten. The weekend will also be a platform for new artists to perform, as festival director Sascha Evans says:"This festival is not just a celebration of Joe’s life but a celebration of artists, established and new, who have been inspired by him. Riot on the Radio is about giving emerging artists a platform to perform alongside more experienced ones." Strummerville is a registered charity aiming to create opportunities for aspiring musicians. For more information check out the charity's website here: www.Strummerville.com.

A weekend of new music and arts presented by Strummerville: The Joe Strummer Foundation For New Music is to take place from October 19.

Taking place at the Windsor Arst Centre, the Riot On The Radiofestival will celebrate music, film, art and spoken word by artists inspired by the late Clash man Joe Strummer.

Highlights of the weekend include Spiritualized‘s Sean Cook’s project The Flies and a Rock’n’Roots night DJ’ed by Andy Weatherall and DJ Scratchy.

The opening night party includes a screening of recent acclaimed biopic Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten.

The weekend will also be a platform for new artists to perform, as festival director Sascha Evans says:”This festival is not just a celebration of Joe’s life but a celebration of artists, established and new, who have been inspired by him. Riot on the Radio is about giving emerging artists a platform to perform alongside more experienced ones.”

Strummerville is a registered charity aiming to create opportunities for aspiring musicians. For more information check out the charity’s website here: www.Strummerville.com.

Control

Film
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5th October 2007

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DIR: ANTON CORBIJN | ST: SAM RILEY, SAMANTHA MORTON, ALEXANDRA MARIA LARA Anton Corbijn’s Control is not, strictly speaking, a rock biopic. Nor is it anything like the history of Joy Division as it appeared in Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People, with its knockabout comic-strip history of Factory Records. Rather, this is an intimate portrait of the band’s singer Ian Curtis, who hanged himself on May 18, 1980, aged 23. Beyond that, Control is a sober contemplation of the dreams and fantasies that come as part of the package with a rock career, often wrecking the people that cherish them most. Based on Touching From A Distance, the memoir by the singer’s widow Deborah Curtis – played here by Samantha Morton – Corbijn’s film traces how a sensitive young man with poetic dreams got trapped in the divide between the person he wanted to be and the realities of a humdrum existence of work and marriage. In this story, singing in a band – even one as exalted and innovative as Joy Division – isn’t a glorified fantasy, but an altogether mundane occupation that brings its own pressures. Yet at the same time, Control magnificently evokes the intensity of Joy Division on stage and on record, and reminds you that Curtis was one of the most mesmerising performers that the British music scene ever produced. It’s an unusually realistic-feeling film, too, and not just in the way that the four young actors cast as Joy Division, and playing their own instruments, catch the band’s sound and stance. Sam Riley is a dead ringer for Curtis, down to the stare and the windmilling elbows on stage. Most importantly, his performance doesn’t play into the myth of the rock star as an otherworldly figure, too big or too intensely alive for the world. Curtis comes across as an intelligent but vulnerable and somewhat gauche young man, totally out of his depth when faced with adulthood. The film opens in Macclesfield in 1973, with pale teenage dreamer Curtis in love with glam rock, striking Iggy poses in his bedroom mirror. He has a distinct literary bent, too: his bedroom is stacked with Burroughs and Ballard paperbacks and files for his poetry, songs and planned novels. He’s a lover rather than a geeky loner: meeting his mate’s girlfriend Deborah, he quotes Wordsworth at her, and she’s hooked. They marry, but before long, his literary and musical dreams are brought down to earth by the day job at the Employment Exchange, and eventually the pram in the hall. When punk happens, Curtis and his friends form Warsaw, then Joy Division. They meet manager Rob Gretton (a scene-stealingly abrasive Toby Kebbell), sign to the new label set up by local TV presenter Tony Wilson (Craig Parkinson, less clownish than Steve Coogan in the Winterbottom film), and record the Unknown Pleasures album. But while Joy Division is going places, Curtis’ own life falls apart. He’s diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed a punishing regime of medication. He becomes increasingly estranged from Deborah and starts an affair with Annik Honoré (Alexandra Maria Lara), a Belgian fanzine writer who represents all the exotic European ‘otherness’ that he yearns for. Corbijn was one of the leading NME photographers in the late-’70s, who made a major contribution to the look and image of Joy Division. He’s recaptured some of that feel in this black-and-white film – beautifully shot by Martin Ruhe – but he’s also captured an era of British life that now looks oddly distant. There’s neither glamour in the film, nor fake grim-up-North dourness, but a profound sense of the everyday that the inexperienced Curtis couldn’t quite handle. Control is a trenchant, intelligent exercise in stripping away the many myths surrounding both Curtis and the music world generally. But it’s also a film that Joy Division and New Order fans will relish, even though some of the characterisations aren’t all that flattering: James Anthony Pearson, as Bernard Sumner, comes across as a callow geek, and Joe Anderson’s Hooky is a study in terse belligerence. There’s also a terrific cameo by John Cooper Clarke, barking out his “Evidently Chicken Town” with the same wiry urgency as ever. Whether or not this film is strictly accurate about Curtis’ life and death, it certainly has the ring of intimacy. It also gives a sensitive account of what it’s like to be the woman left out of the picture when the boys go pursuing dreams. Though hers is essentially a supporting role, Samantha Morton is extremely affecting as Deborah. With the recent death of Tony Wilson making it even more poignant, Control is one of the best films about music made in a long time. JONATHAN ROMNEY

DIR: ANTON CORBIJN | ST: SAM RILEY, SAMANTHA MORTON, ALEXANDRA MARIA LARA

Anton Corbijn’s Control is not, strictly speaking, a rock biopic. Nor is it anything like the history of Joy Division as it appeared in Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People, with its knockabout comic-strip history of Factory Records. Rather, this is an intimate portrait of the band’s singer Ian Curtis, who hanged himself on May 18, 1980, aged 23. Beyond that, Control is a sober contemplation of the dreams and fantasies that come as part of the package with a rock career, often wrecking the people that cherish them most.

Based on Touching From A Distance, the memoir by the singer’s widow Deborah Curtis – played here by Samantha Morton – Corbijn’s film traces how a sensitive young man with poetic dreams got trapped in the divide between the person he wanted to be and the realities of a humdrum existence of work and marriage. In this story, singing in a band – even one as exalted and innovative as Joy Division – isn’t a glorified fantasy, but an altogether mundane occupation that brings its own pressures. Yet at the same time, Control magnificently evokes the intensity of Joy Division on stage and on record, and reminds you that Curtis was one of the most mesmerising performers that the British music scene ever produced.

It’s an unusually realistic-feeling film, too, and not just in the way that the four young actors cast as Joy Division, and playing their own instruments, catch the band’s sound and stance. Sam Riley is a dead ringer for Curtis, down to the stare and the windmilling elbows on stage. Most importantly, his performance doesn’t play into the myth of the rock star as an otherworldly figure, too big or too intensely alive for the world. Curtis comes across as an intelligent but vulnerable and somewhat gauche young man, totally out of his depth when faced with adulthood.

The film opens in Macclesfield in 1973, with pale teenage dreamer Curtis in love with glam rock, striking Iggy poses in his bedroom mirror. He has a distinct literary bent, too: his bedroom is stacked with Burroughs and Ballard paperbacks and files for his poetry, songs and planned novels. He’s a lover rather than a geeky loner: meeting his mate’s girlfriend Deborah, he quotes Wordsworth at her, and she’s hooked. They marry, but before long, his literary and musical dreams are brought down to earth by the day job at the Employment Exchange, and eventually the pram in the hall.

When punk happens, Curtis and his friends form Warsaw, then Joy Division. They meet manager Rob Gretton (a scene-stealingly abrasive Toby Kebbell), sign to the new label set up by local TV presenter Tony Wilson (Craig Parkinson, less clownish than Steve Coogan in the Winterbottom film), and record the Unknown Pleasures album. But while Joy Division is going places, Curtis’ own life falls apart. He’s diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed a punishing regime of medication. He becomes increasingly estranged from Deborah and starts an affair with Annik Honoré (Alexandra Maria Lara), a Belgian fanzine writer who represents all the exotic European ‘otherness’ that he yearns for.

Corbijn was one of the leading NME photographers in the late-’70s, who made a major contribution to the look and image of Joy Division. He’s recaptured some of that feel in this black-and-white film – beautifully shot by Martin Ruhe – but he’s also captured an era of British life that now looks oddly distant. There’s neither glamour in the film, nor fake grim-up-North dourness, but a profound sense of the everyday that the inexperienced Curtis couldn’t quite handle. Control is a trenchant, intelligent exercise in stripping away the many myths surrounding both Curtis and the music world generally.

But it’s also a film that Joy Division and New Order fans will relish, even though some of the characterisations aren’t all that flattering: James Anthony Pearson, as Bernard Sumner, comes across as a callow geek, and Joe Anderson’s Hooky is a study in terse belligerence. There’s also a terrific cameo by John Cooper Clarke, barking out his “Evidently Chicken Town” with the same wiry urgency as ever.

Whether or not this film is strictly accurate about Curtis’ life and death, it certainly has the ring of intimacy. It also gives a sensitive account of what it’s like to be the woman left out of the picture when the boys go pursuing dreams. Though hers is essentially a supporting role, Samantha Morton is extremely affecting as Deborah. With the recent death of Tony Wilson making it even more poignant, Control is one of the best films about music made in a long time.

JONATHAN ROMNEY

Up Close & Personal: Sam Riley

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Q&A with Sam Riley, who plays Ian Curtis in the Anton Corbijn directed Joy Division biopic Control UNCUT: When was the first time you heard the name Ian Curtis? SAM RILEY: I was 18, just starting with my band 10,000 Things, playing a pub in Leeds. Under our name on the wall it said, “Ian Curtis fronts The Rolling Stones”. Someone explained to me: “Y’know, the ones who did ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’.” So I immediately borrowed a copy of Unknown Pleasures and played “Transmission” in the car a lot – yeah, the most obvious track! But it’s probably an advantage that Ian wasn’t one of my idols. Now, obviously, I love Joy Division. But it would have meant added pressure. I have a lot of respect for him, not necessarily reverence. It’s a delicate balance. I definitely didn’t try to play him as an icon. Most young men aren’t particularly charming, and he wasn’t an ideal husband or father. The same goes for New Order – I don’t blame them for not really spotting his problems. Young guys tend to ignore one another beneath the surface. As it’s based on [Ian’s wife] Deborah Curtis’ book, hopefully it’s fair. He was a flawed individual. I can relate to that. Who can’t? So how did you land the part? When my band were offered a deal, I told my agent I hated acting! I’d had one line as Mark E Smith in 24-Hour Party People, which was cut, after I’d auditioned as Stephen Morris! Anyway, after three years my band got dropped. I was working in a warehouse back in Leeds. Acting had to better than that, and by coincidence Anton was looking for someone like... me. Did you impersonate Curtis? Well, while I was waiting I saw the guy auditioning before me go past the window dancing and shaking like Ian. I thought, ‘Fuck’. So I ran downstairs to the toilet and practised the dance in the mirror. Anton tied an iPod to my arm and said, “Can I see you move?” I’d read that the likes of Jude Law were up for this, so thought I had no chance. Then they rang me on my 26th birthday – January 8, same birthday as Elvis and Bowie, which as a kid I thought might “mean” something – to tell me that I’d got it. How anxious are you and Anton about the reaction to the film from Joy Division fans? They’re sceptical before seeing it, I can understand that. When they announced I’d got the part, I went on a Joy Division online forum, which was pretty stupid of me. It was all: “What the fuck? Who is this? Doesn’t look anything like him! He’s a singer in a shit band! Is he American? Why didn’t they get Christopher Eccleston?” While I knew I couldn’t please everybody, this was the best opportunity anyone had ever given me, and I wasn’t about to turn it down out of risk of upsetting people. Ian is precious to people, almost like a saint, and they don’t want to see somebody come in and ruin it. But I knew Anton wouldn’t follow the usual formula: it’s a film about a young man, not a rock star. Even icons go to the toilet! New Order love it. Bernard Sumner’s advice to me was: “Have fun, we did.” If illusions get shattered, that’s real life. The live performances are very powerful. Wasn’t the original plan to mime? Yes, but we’d rehearsed so hard, we were desperate to play. It’d be more convincing that way. OK I don’t have the exact voice, or moves, but we’re trying to get the essence of this band, not an identikit. We weren’t just a bunch of poncey actors clocking in. We were also lucky that Joy Division were never the tightest band live! When I first heard the bootlegs I couldn’t believe it. I’m sure Bernard’s playing a different song from Hooky most of the time! Some of the extras had come all the way from America. One guy in the front row says, “Are you Ian?” Which is a weird question anyway. He glares at me: “This’d better be fucking good.” Another guy lifts his shirt and he’s got Ian’s face tattooed, life-size, across his chest. No pressure, then. I was terrified. But we wanted to show them we were taking it seriously. As far as we were concerned, during takes, we were Joy Division up there. How did you deal with the more harrowing scenes within the Curtis marriage? Thank God Samantha Morton was there for both me and Anton: neither of us knew how to approach rehearsals at first, but she brought such experience and dedication, and was lovely. INTERVIEW by CHRIS ROBERTS

Q&A with Sam Riley, who plays Ian Curtis in the Anton Corbijn directed Joy Division biopic Control

UNCUT: When was the first time you heard the name Ian Curtis?

SAM RILEY: I was 18, just starting with my band 10,000 Things, playing a pub in Leeds. Under our name on the wall it said, “Ian Curtis fronts The Rolling Stones”. Someone explained to me: “Y’know, the ones who did ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’.” So I immediately borrowed a copy of Unknown Pleasures and played “Transmission” in the car a lot – yeah, the most obvious track!

But it’s probably an advantage that Ian wasn’t one of my idols. Now, obviously, I love Joy Division. But it would have meant added pressure. I have a lot of respect for him, not necessarily reverence. It’s a delicate balance. I definitely didn’t try to play him as an icon.

Most young men aren’t particularly charming, and he wasn’t an ideal husband or father. The same goes for New Order – I don’t blame them for not really spotting his problems. Young guys tend to ignore one another beneath the surface.

As it’s based on [Ian’s wife] Deborah Curtis’ book, hopefully it’s fair.

He was a flawed individual. I can relate to that. Who can’t?

So how did you land the part?

When my band were offered a deal, I told my agent I hated acting! I’d had one line as Mark E Smith in 24-Hour Party People, which was cut, after I’d auditioned as Stephen Morris! Anyway, after three years my band got dropped. I was working in a warehouse back in Leeds. Acting had to better than that, and by coincidence Anton was looking for someone like… me.

Did you impersonate Curtis?

Well, while I was waiting I saw the guy auditioning before me go past the window dancing and shaking like Ian. I thought, ‘Fuck’. So I ran downstairs to the toilet and practised the dance in the mirror. Anton tied an iPod to my arm and said, “Can I see you move?” I’d read that the likes of Jude Law were up for this, so thought I had no chance. Then they rang me on my 26th birthday – January 8, same birthday as Elvis and Bowie, which as a kid I thought might “mean” something – to tell me that I’d got it.

How anxious are you and Anton about the reaction to the film from Joy Division fans?

They’re sceptical before seeing it, I can understand that. When they announced I’d got the part, I went on a Joy Division online forum, which was pretty stupid of me. It was all: “What the fuck? Who is this? Doesn’t look anything like him! He’s a singer in a shit band! Is he American? Why didn’t they get Christopher Eccleston?”

While I knew I couldn’t please everybody, this was the best opportunity anyone had ever given me, and I wasn’t about to turn it down out of risk of upsetting people. Ian is precious to people, almost like a saint, and they don’t want to see somebody come in and ruin it. But I knew Anton wouldn’t follow the usual formula: it’s a film about a young man, not a rock star. Even icons go to the toilet! New Order love it. Bernard Sumner’s advice to me was: “Have fun, we did.” If illusions get shattered, that’s real life.

The live performances are very powerful. Wasn’t the original plan to mime?

Yes, but we’d rehearsed so hard, we were desperate to play. It’d be

more convincing that way. OK I don’t have the exact voice, or moves, but we’re trying to get the essence of this band, not an identikit. We weren’t just a bunch of poncey actors clocking in. We were also lucky that Joy Division were never the tightest band live! When I first heard the bootlegs I couldn’t believe it. I’m sure Bernard’s playing a different song from Hooky most of the time! Some of the extras had come all the way from America.

One guy in the front row says, “Are you Ian?” Which is a weird question anyway. He glares at me: “This’d better be fucking good.” Another guy lifts his shirt and he’s got Ian’s face tattooed, life-size, across his chest. No pressure, then. I was terrified. But we wanted to show them we were taking it seriously. As far as we were concerned, during takes, we were Joy Division up there.

How did you deal with the more harrowing scenes within the Curtis marriage?

Thank God Samantha Morton was there for both me and Anton: neither of us knew how to approach rehearsals at first, but she brought such experience and dedication, and was lovely.

INTERVIEW by CHRIS ROBERTS

Day Watch

Film
Reviews

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DIR: TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV | ST: KONSTANTIN KHABENSKY 2004’s Night Watch proved that Putin’s homeland was more than just a fertile breeding ground for pure, stately and often boringly excellent movies. Timur Bekmambetov’s action fantasy – with vampires in Red Square and shape-shifters on the streets of Moscow – was a punk-rock riot compared to the po-faced pace of his miserabilist peers. In a world composed of Light and Dark Others – supernaturally gifted humans working for the police forces of good and not so good – Light seer Anton (Konstantin Khabensky) was separated from his estranged son, whose latent Otherness could, it was warned, bloom in adulthood to destroy mankind. Thus Day Watch offers more bedlam and comes jam-packed with spectacle, where Anton is back working with Night Watch, unaware that he’s being framed for the murder of a Dark Other. Anton goes undercover, swapping bodies with his sidekick Olga, a former owl (yes, you read that right), while Dark supremo Zavulon is hosting a party for Anton’s son, to which all jaded evildoers are invited… Though bristling with kinetic energy, Day Watch comes as something of a disappointment. It feels too polished, and while the narrative comes to a neat and surprisingly satisfying close, it lacks the rough-and-ready salvo – and the power – of the original. DAMON WISE

DIR: TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV | ST: KONSTANTIN KHABENSKY

2004’s Night Watch proved that Putin’s homeland was more than just a fertile breeding ground for pure, stately and often boringly excellent movies. Timur Bekmambetov’s action fantasy – with vampires in Red Square and shape-shifters on the streets of Moscow – was a punk-rock riot compared to the po-faced pace of his miserabilist peers.

In a world composed of Light and Dark Others – supernaturally gifted humans working for the police forces of good and not so good – Light seer Anton (Konstantin Khabensky) was separated from his estranged son, whose latent Otherness could, it was warned, bloom in adulthood to destroy mankind. Thus Day Watch offers more bedlam and comes jam-packed with spectacle, where Anton is back working with Night Watch, unaware that he’s being framed for the murder of a Dark Other.

Anton goes undercover, swapping bodies with his sidekick Olga, a former owl (yes, you read that right), while Dark supremo Zavulon is hosting a party for Anton’s son, to which all jaded evildoers are invited…

Though bristling with kinetic energy, Day Watch comes as something of a disappointment. It feels too polished, and while the narrative comes to a neat and surprisingly satisfying close, it lacks the rough-and-ready salvo – and the power – of the original.

DAMON WISE

Verve Add Extra Date To UK Tour

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5th October 2007

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The Verve have added an extra Manchester date to their forthcoming UK tour, after the original date sold out in just two minutes. The new date will now take place at Manchester Central on December 21. The band comprising original band members Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Jones and Pete Sailsbury will now play five shows in December - starting at London's 02 Arena on December 13. More information about the band's comeback shows and to join the mailing list, click here for www.theverve.tv. The band are now playing the following dates: Glasgow Academy (November 2,3) Blackpool Empress Ballroom (5,6) London Roundhouse (8,9) London O2 Arena (December 13) Glasgow SECC (15) Belfast Odyssey Arena (17) Manchester Central (20, 21) Pic credit: Dean Chalkley

The Verve have added an extra Manchester date to their forthcoming UK tour, after the original date sold out in just two minutes.

The new date will now take place at Manchester Central on December 21.

The band comprising original band members Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Jones and Pete Sailsbury will now play five shows in December – starting at London’s 02 Arena on December 13.

More information about the band’s comeback shows and to join the mailing list, click here for www.theverve.tv.

The band are now playing the following dates:

Glasgow Academy (November 2,3)

Blackpool Empress Ballroom (5,6)

London Roundhouse (8,9)

London O2 Arena (December 13)

Glasgow SECC (15)

Belfast Odyssey Arena (17)

Manchester Central (20, 21)

Pic credit: Dean Chalkley

UNCUT’s Worst Gigs! – Online Exclusive

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5th October 2007

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In last month's UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs. Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen - including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie - with rare photos from the shows too. We're also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there! ***** FURNITURE Sale Polivalenta, Bucharest, Rumania April 2, 1988 Chris Roberts: Ceaucescu’s still in power. The Rumanians haven’t seen a British band live since The Boomtown Rats, seven years earlier. In a venue the size of Wembley Arena (where Ceaucescu has his rallying speeches), Furniture, brought here as “cultural exchange” by the British Council, play songs such as “Brilliant Mind”. This was the hit they had before Stiff Records collapsed and the band’s career momentum was thwarted by a three-year court wrangle. Here, no exaggeration, Beatle-mania is re-enacted. Yet there is to be no standing: it’s the law. So singer Jim Irvin announces that if everybody doesn’t stand, the band will stop playing. In the balconies, those furthest away from party officials stand. Emboldened, those on ground level start dancing. The police wade in and begin hitting people over the head. I am wandering around to soak in all this culture. Two guys the size of trucks lift me up by the underarms, carry me awhile, then hurl me outside on the concrete. Irate, I tell them I’m a British journalist. They pick me up again, lug me outside the perimeter, and dump me harder, their eyes saying much. I learn what fear is. Really, it shouldn’t have surprised us. From arrival we have been shadowed by men in overcoats from Cold War Movie central casting. We leave the hotel, they follow. We cross the road from the dumpling shop to the condensed milk store, they follow. As “press”, I am under surveillance 24/7. At least I’m not the photographer, who finds that carrying a camera is like waving an Uzi. On the last day, we get the hell out of Dodge and visit Dracula’s Castle, for relaxation, drinking so hard and fast that we throw up in Transylvania. People tell me Bucharest has changed since. I’ll take their word. ***** plus WERE YOU THERE? Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have. Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we've published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue!

In last month’s UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs.

Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen – including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie – with rare photos from the shows too.

We’re also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there!

*****

FURNITURE

Sale Polivalenta, Bucharest, Rumania

April 2, 1988

Chris Roberts:

Ceaucescu’s still in power. The Rumanians haven’t seen a British band live since The Boomtown Rats, seven years earlier. In a venue the size of Wembley Arena (where Ceaucescu has his rallying speeches), Furniture, brought here as “cultural exchange” by the British Council, play songs such as “Brilliant Mind”. This was the hit they had before Stiff Records collapsed and the band’s career momentum was thwarted by a three-year court wrangle. Here, no exaggeration, Beatle-mania is re-enacted. Yet there is to be no standing: it’s the law. So singer Jim Irvin announces that if everybody doesn’t stand, the band will stop playing. In the balconies, those furthest away from party officials stand. Emboldened, those on ground level start dancing. The police wade in and begin hitting people over the head.

I am wandering around to soak in all this culture. Two guys the size of trucks lift me up by the underarms, carry me awhile, then hurl me outside on the concrete. Irate, I tell them I’m a British journalist. They pick me up again, lug me outside the perimeter, and dump me harder, their eyes saying much. I learn what fear is.

Really, it shouldn’t have surprised us. From arrival we have been shadowed by men in overcoats from Cold War Movie central casting. We leave the hotel, they follow. We cross the road from the dumpling shop to the condensed milk store, they follow. As “press”, I am under surveillance 24/7. At least I’m not the photographer, who finds that carrying a camera is like waving an Uzi. On the last day, we get the hell out of Dodge and visit Dracula’s Castle, for relaxation, drinking so hard and fast that we throw up in Transylvania. People tell me Bucharest has changed since. I’ll take their word.

*****

plus WERE YOU THERE?

Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have.

Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we’ve published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue!

Nirvana’s Unplugged To Get Official DVD Release

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5th October 2007

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Nirvana’s Unplugged To Get Official DVD Release

Nirvana are set to officially release their MTV Unplugged show from 1993 on DVD next month. According to the Nirvana Club fansite, record label Universal plan to release the DVD worldwide on November 19, and in the US and Canada on the 20th. The gig has only previously been available on VHS and Japanese Import DVD. The new Unplugged release will feature two tracks not broadcast in the show from November 18, 1993 - 'Oh Me' and 'Something In The Way'. The DVD will also come with a behind-the-scenes documentary with extended band interviews as well as four tracks recoreded during the pre-show rehearsals at Sony Music Studios. The full tracklisting is: 'About A Girl' 'Come As You Are' 'Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam' 'The Man Who Sold The World' 'Pennyroyal Tea' 'Dumb' 'Polly' 'On A Plain' 'Something In The Way' 'Plateau' 'Oh Me' 'Lake Of Fire' 'All Apologies' 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night'

Nirvana are set to officially release their MTV Unplugged show from 1993 on DVD next month.

According to the Nirvana Club fansite, record label Universal plan to release the DVD worldwide on November 19, and in the US and Canada on the 20th.

The gig has only previously been available on VHS and Japanese Import DVD.

The new Unplugged release will feature two tracks not broadcast in the show from November 18, 1993 – ‘Oh Me’ and ‘Something In The Way’.

The DVD will also come with a behind-the-scenes documentary with extended band interviews as well as four tracks recoreded during the pre-show rehearsals at Sony Music Studios.

The full tracklisting is:

‘About A Girl’

‘Come As You Are’

‘Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam’

‘The Man Who Sold The World’

‘Pennyroyal Tea’

‘Dumb’

‘Polly’

‘On A Plain’

‘Something In The Way’

‘Plateau’

‘Oh Me’

‘Lake Of Fire’

‘All Apologies’

‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’

Bloc Party Added To Electric Proms Bill

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5th October 2007

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Bloc Party have been announced as the latest headline addition for this month's BBC Electric Proms. They will play October 27 at the Roundhouse, supported by Mercury Prize nominees Maps. The same night also sees Breed 77 and Amplifier rock Camden's Barfly. Razorlight's Johnny Borrell is also now appearing for the Electric Proms' finale headed up by Ray Davies on October 28. The former Kinks songwriter will be showcasing material from his second solo album 'Working Man's Cafe' which is due for release the following day as well as classic hits from The Kinks' canon including the brilliant 'The Kinks are the Village Preservation Society'. Other artists previously confirmed to perform at the five day music event include Paul McCartney, Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson and Siouxsie Sioux. More artists are still to be confirmed for the eight venue festival, but the line-up announced so far is: Wednesday, 24th October - The Roundhouse: Mark Ronson and the BBC Concert Orchestra and guests The Coral Editors Blanche Charlie Louvin Sigur Rós John Peel Night at the Electric Ballroom: Siouxsie Sioux Agaskodo Teliverek Thursday, 25th October - The Roundhouse: Paul McCartney SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS with Jamie Cullum Hadouken The Enemy The Chemical Brothers Justice Tribute to Lal Waterson Friday, 26th October - The Roundhouse Kaiser Chiefs via David Arnold Reverend and The Makers Cold War Kids The Metros Daler Mehndi and The Wolfmen Bishi Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford, Ellery Eskelin and Simon H Fell Saturday, 27th October - Roundhouse Bloc Party Maps Saturday, 27th October - Barfly Breed 77 Amplifier Saturday, 27th October - Jazz Cafe Kano presents London Town Craig David Ghetto Sunday, 28th October - The Roundhouse: Ray Davies with The Crouch End Chorus and special guests Johnny Borrell Duke Special Ben Westbeech Estelle There will also be a BBC Electric Proms film programme showing films such as Daft Punk's Electroma, The Flaming Lips' UFOs At The Zoo and the brand new uncovered film of Bob Dylan Live At The Newport Festival. For details of all Electric Proms performances and to buy tickets, go to www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms here

Bloc Party have been announced as the latest headline addition for this month’s BBC Electric Proms.

They will play October 27 at the Roundhouse, supported by Mercury Prize nominees Maps.

The same night also sees Breed 77 and Amplifier rock Camden’s Barfly.

Razorlight‘s Johnny Borrell is also now appearing for the Electric Proms’ finale headed up by Ray Davies on October 28.

The former Kinks songwriter will be showcasing material from his second solo album ‘Working Man’s Cafe’ which is due for release the following day as well as classic hits from The Kinks’ canon including the brilliant ‘The Kinks are the Village Preservation Society‘.

Other artists previously confirmed to perform at the five day music event include Paul McCartney, Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson and Siouxsie Sioux.

More artists are still to be confirmed for the eight venue festival, but the line-up announced so far is:

Wednesday, 24th October – The Roundhouse:

Mark Ronson and the BBC Concert Orchestra and guests

The Coral

Editors

Blanche

Charlie Louvin

Sigur Rós

John Peel Night at the Electric Ballroom:

Siouxsie Sioux

Agaskodo Teliverek

Thursday, 25th October – The Roundhouse:

Paul McCartney

SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS with Jamie Cullum

Hadouken

The Enemy

The Chemical Brothers

Justice

Tribute to Lal Waterson

Friday, 26th October – The Roundhouse

Kaiser Chiefs via David Arnold

Reverend and The Makers

Cold War Kids

The Metros

Daler Mehndi and The Wolfmen

Bishi

Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford, Ellery Eskelin and Simon H Fell

Saturday, 27th October – Roundhouse

Bloc Party

Maps

Saturday, 27th October – Barfly

Breed 77

Amplifier

Saturday, 27th October – Jazz Cafe

Kano presents London Town

Craig David

Ghetto

Sunday, 28th October – The Roundhouse:

Ray Davies with The Crouch End Chorus and special guests

Johnny Borrell

Duke Special

Ben Westbeech

Estelle

There will also be a BBC Electric Proms film programme showing films such as Daft Punk’s Electroma, The Flaming Lips’ UFOs At The Zoo and the brand new uncovered film of Bob Dylan Live At The Newport Festival.

For details of all Electric Proms performances and to buy tickets, go to www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms here

CUT of The Day: Joe Strummer Does Junior Murvin

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4th October 2007

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CUT of The Day: Joe Strummer Does Junior Murvin

Today, check out this video of live footage filmed at The Bridgewater Palace on November 17, 2002. Joe Strummer playing with his band the Mescalero's play a much changed rendition of Junior Murvin's great record 'Police And Thieves'. The same concert also saw Strummer and band cover The Stooges '1969'. Check out the brilliant five minute clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFsUqXoh1Vw

Today, check out this video of live footage filmed at The Bridgewater Palace on November 17, 2002.

Joe Strummer playing with his band the Mescalero‘s play a much changed rendition of Junior Murvin‘s great record ‘Police And Thieves’.

The same concert also saw Strummer and band cover The Stooges ‘1969’.

Check out the brilliant five minute clip here:

Inspiral Carpets Return!

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4th October 2007

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The Inspiral Carpets have announced a series of tour dates for next Spring. The band who completed a sold-out comeback tour earlier this year will now play again, starting in Glasgow on March 7. One of the original trio of successful madchester bands (the others being Stone Roses and Happy Mondays - the Inspirals achieved success between 1989 and 1994, earning 13 Top 40 singles with the likes of ‘Joe’, ‘Saturn 5’ and 'This Is How It Feels.’ The Inspiral Carpets will play the following live dates: Glasgow ABC (March 7) Oxford Academy (8) Sheffield Leadmill (9) Northants Roadmender (10) Frome Cheese and Grain (12) Notts Rescue Rooms (13) Manchester Academy (14) London Shepherd’s Bush Empire (15)

The Inspiral Carpets have announced a series of tour dates for next Spring.

The band who completed a sold-out comeback tour earlier this year will now play again, starting in Glasgow on March 7.

One of the original trio of successful madchester bands (the others being Stone Roses and Happy Mondays – the Inspirals achieved success between 1989 and 1994, earning 13 Top 40 singles with the likes of ‘Joe’, ‘Saturn 5’ and ‘This Is How It Feels.’

The Inspiral Carpets will play the following live dates:

Glasgow ABC (March 7)

Oxford Academy (8)

Sheffield Leadmill (9)

Northants Roadmender (10)

Frome Cheese and Grain (12)

Notts Rescue Rooms (13)

Manchester Academy (14)

London Shepherd’s Bush Empire (15)

UNCUT Worst Gigs! – Online Exclusive

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4th October 2007

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In last month's UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs. Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen - including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie - with rare photos from the shows too. We're also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there! ***** George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars Shepherds Bush Empire, London Winter 2000 John Lewis: I had seen the latest incarnation of George Clinton's travelling Funkadelic circus at the 1996 Phoenix Festival, playing in the pouring rain in front of a huge crowd, and had a fantastic time. Grown men in nappies! A six-foot-six black bass player in a wedding dress! A backing singer sporting an enormous elephant trunk! Ha ha! It was also the heaviest funk band I'd ever seen at the time so, several years later when they visited London, myself and a large gang of friends turned up en masse to relive the experience. Unfortunately it was, from beginning to end, sheer torture. The visual gags seemed a bit tiresome, the liquid funk replaced by a tiresome brand of plodding metal. Then there were the dreary song introductions, the torturously extended versions of songs that weren't that good to start with, and the utterly excruciating guitar solos that went on and on and on. You'd take a piss, come back and he'd still be widdling away, you disappear for 15 minutes to get in a round, you come back and the guitarist's still just warming up, you nip out and write a few postcodes and return to find that he's still bloody chundering away, hitting the highest notes on his fretboard, hunched over the speaker stack while wanking the tremolo arm. Jesus Christ. I left half-way through a particularly interminable solo (just as it was entering its 12th minute, yes I did time it) and found that I'd missed the last tube home. I've never quite forgiven George Clinton since. ***** plus WERE YOU THERE? Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have. Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we've published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue!

In last month’s UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs.

Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen – including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie – with rare photos from the shows too.

We’re also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there!

*****

George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars

Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Winter 2000

John Lewis:

I had seen the latest incarnation of George Clinton‘s travelling Funkadelic circus at the 1996 Phoenix Festival, playing in the pouring rain in front of a huge crowd, and had a fantastic time. Grown men in nappies! A six-foot-six black bass player in a wedding dress! A backing singer sporting an enormous elephant trunk! Ha ha! It was also the heaviest funk band I’d ever seen at the time so, several years later when they visited London, myself and a large gang of friends turned up en masse to relive the experience.

Unfortunately it was, from beginning to end, sheer torture. The visual gags seemed a bit tiresome, the liquid funk replaced by a tiresome brand of plodding metal. Then there were the dreary song introductions, the torturously extended versions of songs that weren’t that good to start with, and the utterly excruciating guitar solos that went on and on and on. You’d take a piss, come back and he’d still be widdling away, you disappear for 15 minutes to get in a round, you come back and the guitarist’s still just warming up, you nip out and write a few postcodes and return to find that he’s still bloody chundering away, hitting the highest notes on his fretboard, hunched over the speaker stack while wanking the tremolo arm. Jesus Christ. I left half-way through a particularly interminable solo (just as it was entering its 12th minute, yes I did time it) and found that I’d missed the last tube home. I’ve never quite forgiven George Clinton since.

*****

plus WERE YOU THERE?

Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have.

Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we’ve published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue!

Chris Rea Announces UK Comeback Tour

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4th October 2007

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Chris Rea has surprisingly announced a mammoth UK comeback tour, to take place next Spring. The singer/guitarist is back from 'early retirement' with a newly formed quintet, The Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes - and has prepared over 20 new songs in homage to iconic 60s blues music. Rea and his band will kick off the UK shows in Cardiff on March 13 - and the stint will also include a show at London's Royal Albert Hall. Serious illness which initially caused the singer to announce he would have to quit music two years ago has not stopped him from creating a new, looser, way of performing on stage - hence the quintet's formation. Rea said in a statement: “I love being on tour. That’s the best job in the world, if only I had a different body. My state of health can deteriorate any moment, however, which is why I simply had to find a different way of working.” In the past two years, the guitarist has written a new guitar book called 'The Return of The Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes' - dedicated to early 60s guitar - and also including 20 brand new songs, and a new album is due for release this December. Rea says of the bluesy tributes to his idol BB King: “That is the music that I have always wanted to play: real, genuine guitar music”. The band members are: Robert Ahwai (guitar), Neil Drinkwater (keyboards), Colin Hodgkinson (bass) and Martin Ditcham (drums). The band's full tour dates are as follows: Cardiff, St Davids Hall (March 13) Plymouth Pavilions (14) Bristol Colston Hall (16) Brighton Centre (17) Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (19) Edinbugh Playhouse (20) Birmingham Symphony Hall (23) Bournemouth BIC (24) Nottingham Centre (27) London Royal Albert Hall (28) Manchester Apollo (26) Oxford New Theatre (30) Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (31) Newcastle City Hall (April 2) Sheffield City Hall (5) Harrogate International Centre (6) Pic credit: PA Photos

Chris Rea has surprisingly announced a mammoth UK comeback tour, to take place next Spring.

The singer/guitarist is back from ‘early retirement’ with a newly formed quintet, The Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes – and has prepared over 20 new songs in homage to iconic 60s blues music.

Rea and his band will kick off the UK shows in Cardiff on March 13 – and the stint will also include a show at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Serious illness which initially caused the singer to announce he would have to quit music two years ago has not stopped him from creating a new, looser, way of performing on stage – hence the quintet’s formation.

Rea said in a statement: “I love being on tour. That’s the best job in the world, if only I had a different body. My state of health can deteriorate any moment, however, which is why I simply had to find a different way of working.”

In the past two years, the guitarist has written a new guitar book called ‘The Return of The Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes’ – dedicated to early 60s guitar – and also including 20 brand new songs, and a new album is due for release this December.

Rea says of the bluesy tributes to his idol BB King: “That is the music that I have always wanted to play: real, genuine guitar music”.

The band members are: Robert Ahwai (guitar), Neil Drinkwater (keyboards), Colin Hodgkinson (bass) and Martin Ditcham (drums).

The band’s full tour dates are as follows:

Cardiff, St Davids Hall (March 13)

Plymouth Pavilions (14)

Bristol Colston Hall (16)

Brighton Centre (17)

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (19)

Edinbugh Playhouse (20)

Birmingham Symphony Hall (23)

Bournemouth BIC (24)

Nottingham Centre (27)

London Royal Albert Hall (28)

Manchester Apollo (26)

Oxford New Theatre (30)

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (31)

Newcastle City Hall (April 2)

Sheffield City Hall (5)

Harrogate International Centre (6)

Pic credit: PA Photos

Radiohead Album Gets Proper Release Date

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4th October 2007

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Radiohead Album Gets Proper Release Date

Radiohead managers Bryce Edge and Chris Hufford have revealed that the band’s new studio album, In Rainbows, will be available to buy in record shops from January, two months earlier than previous speculation. Speaking on Radio 4’s Today Programme this morning (October 4) about the decision to release In Rainbows as a digital download on October 10, Edge and Hufford confirmed that the record will be available in shops from January – quashing rumours it would in fact appear in March. At the time of In Rainbows download release, the band will still not be in a contract with any record label, they finished their EMI contract obligations with the release of 2003's Hail To The Thief. Hutton has now also confirmed that Radiohead definitely expect to sign a new record deal “within the next seven days”. He said: "We've got about seven days to sort it out. We tend to fly by the seat of our pants. The band think they [are] incredibly proud of this record and feel that it deserves to be brought into the mass marketplace. That's why we need a record company who have that infrastructure to deliver the CD." Responding to the previous announcement, that fans would be able to 'name their price' for their copy of the new album, Edge said that the band had faith people would not just download the album for free. "We're prepared to take a risk," he explained. "If your music is great, people will then pay for it." Hutton added: "The wonderful [thing] is that the consumer can decide how much a download is worth. I'm not sure how much just a digital download is worth. I'm not sure 79p - the iTunes price - is the right price." A 'discbox' with the double album on 12" vinyl and an extra CD is also available for £40. You can pre-order the digital download of In Rainbows from www.inrainbows.com Check back to www.uncut.co.uk for updates as they happen. Pic credit: PA Photos

Radiohead managers Bryce Edge and Chris Hufford have revealed that the band’s new studio album, In Rainbows, will be available to buy in record shops from January, two months earlier than previous speculation.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today Programme this morning (October 4) about the decision to release In Rainbows as a digital download on October 10, Edge and Hufford confirmed that the record will be available in shops from January – quashing rumours it would in fact appear in March.

At the time of In Rainbows download release, the band will still not be in a contract with any record label, they finished their EMI contract obligations with the release of 2003’s Hail To The Thief.

Hutton has now also confirmed that Radiohead definitely expect to sign a new record deal “within the next seven days”.

He said: “We’ve got about seven days to sort it out. We tend to fly by the seat of our pants. The band think they [are] incredibly proud of this record and feel that it deserves to be brought into the mass marketplace. That’s why we need a record company who have that infrastructure to deliver the CD.”

Responding to the previous announcement, that fans would be able to ‘name their price’ for their copy of the new album, Edge said that the band had faith people would not just download the album for free.

“We’re prepared to take a risk,” he explained. “If your music is great, people will then pay for it.”

Hutton added: “The wonderful [thing] is that the consumer can decide how much a download is worth. I’m not sure how much just a digital download is worth. I’m not sure 79p – the iTunes price – is the right price.”

A ‘discbox’ with the double album on 12″ vinyl and an extra CD is also available for £40.

You can pre-order the digital download of In Rainbows from www.inrainbows.com

Check back to www.uncut.co.uk for updates as they happen.

Pic credit: PA Photos

The Uncut Playlist

John Mulvey

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4th October 2007

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Could be a long day, since we've just embarked on the first CD of Miles Davis' "Complete On The Corner Sessions". Not sure we're going to make it through all six in a row, but a good start to the day. Here, though, is what we played yesterday. As usual, I can't pretend we're unequivocally behind every record on the list, but God, that Springsteen album gets better and better. 1. Om - Pilgrimage (Southern Lord) 2. Bruce Springsteen - Magic (Columbia) 3. Blood Red Shoes - I Wish I Was Someone Better (V2) 4. VietNam - VietNam (Kemado) 5. Two Friends - Two Friends (Motown) 6. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Music From The Motion Picture The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (Mute) 7. Sightings - Through The Panama (Load) 9. Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof (Abeano) 10. Abdel Hadi Halo & The El Gusto Orchestra Of Algiers - S/T (Honest Jon's) 11. Neil Young - Chrome Dreams II (Reprise) 12. Vernon Elliott - Ivor The Engine & Pogle's Wood (Trunk) 13. John Fahey - Fare Forward Voyager (Soldier's Choice) (Vanguard)

Could be a long day, since we’ve just embarked on the first CD of Miles Davis’ “Complete On The Corner Sessions”. Not sure we’re going to make it through all six in a row, but a good start to the day. Here, though, is what we played yesterday. As usual, I can’t pretend we’re unequivocally behind every record on the list, but God, that Springsteen album gets better and better.

Continue

Win Led Zeppelin Knebworth and Bath Festival Souvenirs!

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3rd October 2007

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Win Led Zeppelin Knebworth and Bath Festival Souvenirs!

The world has seemingly gone crazy for Led Zeppelin, the legendary rock band - who in case you haven't heard, are reforming after 27 years to play a solitary one-night-only show in London next month. Whether you've been lucky enough to bag yourself a pair of tickets or not, Uncut.co.uk is rather pleased to be able to offer you a fantastic set of Led Zeppelin prizes! Teaming up with Rockmusicmemorabilia.com - run by the people who originally promoted the band's UK shows - we have 3 sets of souvenirs from Led Zeppelin's shows at the Bath Festival in 1969 and 1970 and Knebworth in 1979 to give away! Each set comprises 4 different replica t-shirts, made to the same design as the originals that were sold at the festivals, as well as replica 'crew' t-shirts. Each winner will also get a special Led Zeppelin commemorative set, which comprise the ticket, flyers and programmes from: *1969 Bath Festival (which featured Led Zeppelin fourth on the bill, as well as Fleetwood Mac, Ten Years After) *1970 Bath Festival (Headlined by Led Zeppelin, and also starring Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Jefferson Airplane, Johnny Winter, Steppenwolf,The Byrds, Santana, Hot Tuna, Dr John) *1979 Knebworth Festival with Led Zeppelin, New Barbarians, Todd Rundgren, Fairport Convention *12 photos from the Knebworth festival *A book by Freddy Bannister entitled There Must Be A Better Way that deals with all the problems promoting from the late fifties until 1979 *a DVD entitled Spirit of Knebworth... To win a set of all of the above, simply go to the competition here. This competition closes on October 30. All of the above items are available to buy from Rockmusicmemorabilia.com - the commemorative sets retail at 59.99 and the t-shirts at 11.95. Pic credit: Rex

The world has seemingly gone crazy for Led Zeppelin, the legendary rock band – who in case you haven’t heard, are reforming after 27 years to play a solitary one-night-only show in London next month.

Whether you’ve been lucky enough to bag yourself a pair of tickets or not, Uncut.co.uk is rather pleased to be able to offer you a fantastic set of Led Zeppelin prizes!

Teaming up with Rockmusicmemorabilia.com – run by the people who originally promoted the band’s UK shows – we have 3 sets of souvenirs from Led Zeppelin’s shows at the Bath Festival in 1969 and 1970 and Knebworth in 1979 to give away!

Each set comprises 4 different replica t-shirts, made to the same design as the originals that were sold at the festivals, as well as replica ‘crew’ t-shirts.

Each winner will also get a special Led Zeppelin commemorative set, which comprise the ticket, flyers and programmes from:

*1969 Bath Festival (which featured Led Zeppelin fourth on the bill, as well as Fleetwood Mac, Ten Years After)

*1970 Bath Festival (Headlined by Led Zeppelin, and also starring Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Jefferson Airplane, Johnny Winter, Steppenwolf,The Byrds, Santana, Hot Tuna, Dr John)

*1979 Knebworth Festival with Led Zeppelin, New Barbarians, Todd Rundgren, Fairport Convention

*12 photos from the Knebworth festival

*A book by Freddy Bannister entitled There Must Be A Better Way that deals with all the problems promoting from the late fifties until 1979

*a DVD entitled Spirit of Knebworth…

To win a set of all of the above, simply go to the competition here.

This competition closes on October 30.

All of the above items are available to buy from Rockmusicmemorabilia.com – the commemorative sets retail at 59.99 and the t-shirts at 11.95.

Pic credit: Rex

Windsor Gets Set For Joe Strummer Inspired Festival

Control

Up Close & Personal: Sam Riley

Day Watch

Verve Add Extra Date To UK Tour

UNCUT’s Worst Gigs! – Online Exclusive

Nirvana’s Unplugged To Get Official DVD Release

Bloc Party Added To Electric Proms Bill

CUT of The Day: Joe Strummer Does Junior Murvin

Inspiral Carpets Return!

UNCUT Worst Gigs! – Online Exclusive

Chris Rea Announces UK Comeback Tour

Radiohead Album Gets Proper Release Date

The Uncut Playlist

Win Led Zeppelin Knebworth and Bath Festival Souvenirs!

Even more on that ‘new’ Dylan album – plus ‘tracklisting’

CUT of the Day: Check Out Hendrix Do Sgt Pepper

Morrissey Cancels Hollywood Shows

UNCUT’s Worst Gigs! Online Exclusives

The Who Inspire 60s Mod Clothing Range

SHOP UNCUT

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