Something Barrowed, Something Blue...

Wednesday 23rd September 09
PETER HOOK & SECTION 25 'ROCKING THE BLUE PLAQUES'
Back Door Music Project, Rochdale

Peter Hook and Section 25 join forces to play a special one-off gig in celebration of blue plaques being unveiled on two seminal recording studios in Rochdale; Tractor Sound Studios (which John Peel helped fund with his Dandelion record label after having lived in Rochdale and working in the Townhead Cotton Mill in 1959) and Kenion Street Music Building (Cargo & Suit 16 studios) where Joy Division and The Stones Roses recorded. Hookie only played Rochdale once, in 1980, despite recording there for years so we've been told to expect some Joy Division numbers too! In support, live music from local acts Safety Pins, Tin Griffin, Rhythms of Rochdale and DJ sets from Clint Boon, Martin Coogan (Mock Turtles) and John Robb (Goldblade).

During the day the plaques will be unveiled with Peter Hook, OMD’s Andy McCluskey, members of Autechre, The Inspiral Carpets’s Clint Boon, journalist Mick Middles, Mock Turtles singer Martin Coogan, journalist and Goldblade/Membranes singer John Robb and Dave Fielding of The Chameleons in attendance. There will also be a big screen message from Sheila Ravenscroft and John Peel’s family, plus footage of the myriad bands that recorded in the town.

http://www.rockinrochdale.com/

Saturday 26th Sepetmber 09
INVADA INVASION
Colston Hall, Bristol

Invada – the label run by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow – stages a one-day takeover of Bristol’s newly re-launched Colston Hall. In Barrow’s own words: “The lunatics are taking over the asylum…. There’s going to be lots of amazing noise and interesting things to stare at,” says Barrow, who promises to make the event “like a mini festival.”. It's the climax of a full week of events celebrating the £20m relaunch of the 142-year-old foyer.

Mogwai have been announced as headliners, with further sets from label friends Fuck Buttons and Italian giants Zu and Zun Zun Egui. Representing Invada are Malakai, Joe Volk, Team Brick, Rosie Red Rash, Fuzz Against Junk, Gonga and Thought Forms plus a very special, one-off collaboration between neo-prog heroes Crippled Black Phoenix and Bristol string section The Emerald Ensemble with arrangements by Ben Salisbury and Elizabeth Purnell.

In addition to the live performances there’ll be a high visual element to proceedings with special projections for the main hall acts by AV artist John Minton. The arty aspects will centre around a specially commissioned exhibition presented by Friend & Co, the Bristol-based underground art gallery and creative platform founded by Barrow and Tom Friend.

http://www.myspace.com/invadainvasion