Louder Than Words Festival in partnership with Omnibus Press
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NOVEMBER
The genre-based literary Festival celebrating words – oral, written and published - associated with the music industry. Authors, artists, poets, performers, lyrics and lyricists, journalists, DJs, bloggers and publishers of music and popular culture
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www.louderthanwordsfest.com
Welcome Really? Year four already? What a treat it is to welcome everyone back to The Palace Hotel for a great weekend of Words, Music, Literature and Conversation! Since last November - and following a serious amount of financial investment - The Palace Hotel has undergone a full programme of refurbishment in every corner and across every floor, ensuring we’re hosting our Festival fun in prestigious places right across the footprint. Similarly, we too have welcomed back sponsors and supporters, ensuring we continue to bring quality and refreshment to our programme while ensuring we consolidate and build upon recurring refrains and returning contributors as well as new and established audiences. Once again our programme is packed with some of the greatest established names in the business alongside new, inspired and inspiring writers and performers. From biographies to poetry, punk to electronica, musicians to journalists and those who are just intrigued to join us, we guarantee something for everyone. Our workshops and panel discussions embrace hot topics and hot tips, our ‘in conversations’ dig deep to treat our ears with insider stories beyond the print, plus we’ve got readings, acoustic sets, performances, slams and our annual Wilko Johnson Writing Award. What’s not to like? Zoe Howe, our Louder Luminary, returns with her debut novel, Shine On Marquee Moon; our Poet in Residence, Patricia Snake, will be with us to help select who should follow in her footsteps and our competitions include opportunities for anyone and everyone aged 12 to 102! It’s also a huge privilege to continue to have Omnibus Press – the world’s largest specialist publisher of music-related books – as our title sponsor. This is a much valued relationship and it’s terrific to have David Barraclough and the Omnibus team with us for the weekend. Many thanks also for your
support, advice, recommendations and contributions in the months that precede the Festival. Likewise, it’s wonderful to welcome back Rocks Back Pages and Bloomsbury Press with sincere thanks for their support for our now annual Wilko Johnson Writing Award and to Little, Brown who have also supplied prizes for this year’s award. Many thanks also to our great friends Route On-Line who work with us throughout the year and to Beazleys who are our Festival insurers. Special thanks must also go to Arts Council England for their continued trust, support and encouragement. All of our partners and sponsors are detailed in this programme and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all in writing and invite readers to now turn pages and see who you are! Without you, none of this would be possible! So, on behalf of the wider Louder Than Words Team – John Robb, Simon Morrison, Melanie Smith our Official Photographer, Emily Marsden, all of our volunteers and our legal partners Shoosmiths Solicitors – I’d like to thank everyone who’s reading this introduction, everyone who has contributed to getting us here and everyone who’s already thinking of joining us in 2017! Here’s to a great weekend! Dr Jill Adam Festival Director Creator and Curator of Louder Than Words Festival.
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or the third year running Omnibus is honoured to be the primary sponsor of Louder Than Words. The last two years have been fantastic events and picking highlights seems an impossible task. But just from last year I loved hearing Paul Anderson talk about mods, Rick Buckler discuss his career with The Jam, Zoe Howe detailing the life of Lee Brilleaux, Jemima Dury’s memories of her Dad, Richard Ball’s fascinating talk on Stiff Records, Joel McIver’s discussion of metal culture and… well, the list really does seem endless and that’s before I try recalling the late night music conversations in the bar. And amazingly, this year’s line-up looks even stronger than ever. Omnibus would certainly like to thank Jill and all her team for putting in so much work to ensure the festival runs smoothly. They make it look effortless and do it with such enthusiasm. Thanks to their endeavours, Louder Than Words has rapidly become a much-loved fixture in the year’s music calendar and is most definitely one of my favourite weekends. But then who could resist the opportunity to talk music with friends old and new for three days? And I just know you’re all going to enjoy another amazing weekend. That’s enough - I can’t wait to get started! David Barraclough, Managing Editor.
ARE PROUD TO SPONSOR
WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT OUR CELEBRATED AUTHORS ARE HERE AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL
MICHAEL SPENCER JONES DARYL EASLEA • DEREK RIDGERS PATRICK HUMPHRIES • NICK SOULSBY KRISTIN HERSH • WOLFGANG FLÜR MICK MIDDLES • JOEL MCIVER ZOË HOWE • THUNDER • RUDI ESCH
OMNIBUSPRESS.COM TWITTER.COM/OMNIBUSPRESS FACEBOOK.COM/OMNIBUSPRESS AUDIOBOOM.COM/OMNIBUS
SPONSORS FOR 2016: LOUDER THAN WORDS FESTIVAL
We would like to acknowledge all those who work with us to ensure the success of Louder Than Words, especially our sponsors and partners who believe in what we are doing, our vibe and our ethos.
ANIFF AKINOLA
MIKE BENNETT
Aniff Akinola, renowned vocalist, writer, producer and ex-label owner, was founding member of cult Manchester hip-hop outfit ‘Chapter and the Verse’, co-writer of a Guy Called Gerald’s classic house anthem ‘Voodoo Ray’, co-writer of Kirsty MacColl’s hit ‘Walking Down Madison’ and general co-conspirator of such 90’s electronic luminaries as The Orb, Steve Hillage and The Beloved. He was also co-writer of Ian Browns ‘Set my Baby Free’ and one half of Backyard Dog - who wrote the top 20 hit ‘Baddest Ruffest’ which went on to become the Coca Cola World Cup theme and feature in Ali Gs ‘In The House’ and ‘Bend It Like Beckham’. He also works under the moniker of ‘The Ironweed Project’.
Mike Bennett has written for Rik Mayall, Frankie Howerd, Phil Cool, Bobby Davro, The Muppets and Children’s ITV as well as many West End Plays . As a record producer and writer his credits include ELP, The Specials, Toyah, Andy Rourke, The Fall and Ian Brown for whom he co -wrote Golden Gaze.
The Ironweed Project is just one of his current projects which is described as a mash up of blues, drum n bass and electronica, and presently his song ‘Get A Little Dirty’ is the theme of TV drama ‘Rescue Special Ops’. The song ‘Get On The Floor’ by The Ironweed Project was included in the Hollywood blockbuster ‘How To Lose Friends And Alienate People’. More recently under his own name Aniff Akinola featured as performer as a co-writer on TCTS ‘Coupe De Ville’ on Chase and Status’ MTA Records. The track was A listed on Radio 1Xtra. Aniff also does occasional lectures and conference speaking and is still producing and writing for up and coming artist both locally and internationally.
RICHARD BOON Richard Boon moved to Manchester in the summer of 1976 to work with the fledgling Buzzcocks, releasing their ‘Spiral Scratch’ EP on his New Hormones label in January 1977 and probably mis-managing their career until their split. New Hormones continued to release material from several Manchester artists. In 1983, he moved to London, as Rough Trade Records production manager and, later, editor of RT Distribution’s monthly trade/consumer magazine, ‘The Catalogue,’ until 1991 when the RT Group collapsed. Living in Stoke Newington, he wrote for the neighbourhood free quarterly, ‘N16,’ and continues to write occasionally, while working in his local library. A key player in the Stoke Newington Literary Festival (billed as ‘The World’s Coolest Librarian’), his ‘Juke Box Fury’ event has become one of its cult favourites.
MATT BOURNE Matt Bourne has spent the majority of his adult life working with music and publishing.
Having started work at Our Price Records (working alongside another notable Louder regular), after a few years he decided it was time to get a proper job and joined the Music Club International record label. Since then he has been involved with book publishing on a number of levels, most notably as Sales Director of Omnibus Press, helping to develop the collaboration between them and Louder Than Words. Matt now works for Better World Books, a for-profit socially minded business that collects and sells books online, to date generating more than £18 million for literacy and globally donating over 20 million books.
JANE BRADLEY Jane Bradley is a fiction writer and editor whose short stories have appeared in print and online around the globe. Her first full-length play, The Curse, debuted in Manchester in March 2016, and was supported by Arts Council England. Jane has been longlisted for the 2016 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, a Young Enigma Award, and selected as one of Nokia’s fifty Remarkable Women. Jane is the founder and director of For Books’ Sake, the charitable organisation championing writing by women, and the editor of short story collections Short Stack (2012), Derby Shorts (2013), Tongue in Cheek (2015) and (RE)Sisters (2016). She delivers creative writing workshops to women across the UK, and her journalism has been published by The Guardian, Red, Bitch, Mslexia and more.
PETE BROWN Pete Brown is a British author, journalist, blogger and broadcaster specialising in food and drink, especially the fun parts like beer and cider. His broad, fresh approach takes in social history, cultural commentary, travel writing, personal discovery and natural history, and his words are always delivered with the warmth and wit you’d expect from a great night down the pub. He writes for newspapers and magazines around the world and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Food Programme. He was named British Beer Writer of the Year in 2009 and 2012, and Fortnum and Mason Online Drinks Writer of the Year in 2015. He blogs at petebrown.net, and is as obsessed by music as he is beer.
MATTHEW COLLIN Matthew Collin is the author of Altered State, the original history of acid house and the rave scene in Britain, as well as several other criticallyacclaimed books about music, dance culture and political activism. His latest book, Pop Grenade, is an adrenalin-charged collection of reportage that celebrates the power of music as a force for change. Based on first-hand reporting from raves, riots and rebellions, it explores how music has been used as a weapon in struggles for liberation and attempts to create temporary paradises. From Berlin’s anarchic techno scene after the fall of the Wall to outlaw sound systems in wartime Bosnia, from Moscow during the crackdown
on Pussy Riot to New York in the militant early years of hip-hop, Pop Grenade tells the extraordinary stories of some of the world’s most audacious musical freedom fighters, disco visionaries and rock’n’roll rebels with a cause. Irvine Welsh described Pop Grenade as “an amazing collection of tales of inspirational courage and madness from the front line of popular culture”. Matthew has worked as a foreign correspondent for the BBC, Al Jazeera and Agence France-Presse, and as editor for The Big Issue, i-D magazine, the Time Out website and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. His other books are This is Serbia Calling and The Time of the Rebels. He is currently finishing a new book on global dance music culture.
STUART COSGROVE Stuart Cosgrove is a BAFTA awardwinning television executive with Channel 4. He was a fanzine writer on the northern soul scene and worked for the music paper Echoes before becoming media editor with the NME. In 2005 he was named Broadcaster of the Year in the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards. Stuart joins our Louder roster as author of both Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul, the story of Motown, the break-up of The Supremes and the damaging disputes at the heart of the most successful African-American music label ever and Young Soul Rebels, his compelling and intimate story of Northern Soul.
RALPH DARTFORD Ralph Dartford hails from Basildon, Essex and is founder member of highly acclaimed spoken word collective ‘A Firm of Poets’. He writes and performs narrative poems from the heart. Sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet, sometimes as sad as a lost dog. Ralph has been published in The Guardian, Stirring Magazine (US), Pulp Faction, Exterminating Angel Press (US) and LondonTerritories. His first Collection, ‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’was published by Ossett Observer Presents in July 2013. Ralph’s new poetic project, ’Recovery Songs’ is an exploration into transformation. Each poem is inspired by a specific piece of music that has had a profound effect on his life. From Joni Mitchell to the Hot 8 Brass Band, and from The Clash to Judy Garland and The Jam. These poems will make you think about what poetry actually is. You may even start writing yourself!
DR MIKE DINES Dr Mike Dines is Programme Leader for the BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, Portsmouth and a leading member of the Punk Scholars network.
DARYL EASLEA Daryl Easlea’s musical knowledge has been learnt over a lifetime: from working in record shops across Essex as a young teen, to being a staffer
at Record Collector magazine and then moving on to become the head of Motown catalogue in the UK at Universal. DJ, compere, and consultant to record companies, his books explore his favourite loves; great pop eccentrics, populist African-American music and prog rock (he has written biographies of Chic, Sparks, Peter Gabriel and Michael Jackson). His writing can be found in Mojo, Record Collector, Prog, Bass Guitar, bbc.co.uk and many more. He also compiles and annotates CDs. Aside from regular BBC Essex appearances, his radio broadcasting can be heard on www. sfob.co.uk; he has DJ’ed at festivals such as Village Green, V and the Big Chill, and at locations as varied as the Tate Modern Turbine Hall and the croisette at Cannes. He can also be seen in the BBC4 documentaries Tubular Bells: The Mike Oldfield Story and Nile Rodgers: The Hitmaker.
RUDI ESCH Rudi Esch (born August 1966, Düsseldorf) has played an active part in the Düsseldorf music scene for more than thirty years. In 1987 he formed a band together with Klaus Dinger, formerly the front man with NEU! and La Dusseldorf. Since 1988 Esch has played bass guitar for electronic rock band Die Krupps. He works as an author and music consultant and put out the oral account of Düsseldorfs most influential bands, including Kraftwerk, NEU!, DAF, Die Krupps and many more. ELECTRI_CITY uncovers the myths and reality of the bands emerging from the artistic backdrop of a wealthy west-German postmodern city. Just like Memphis and Rock’n’Roll, Düsseldorf is regarded as the Mecca for electronic music.
BOB FOLLEN Bob is a West Yorkshire-based Artist and trained Model Maker. Bob Art Models was founded in January 2014. Bob’s wares have been sold through local independent shops, markets and online. He has also undertaken numerous exhibitions and workshops. Bob will be creating an exclusive line of Limited Edition cards, prints and originals based on the LTWF 2016 programme. The official BobArtModels shop called #TheGrotto is housed inside Todmorden Indoor Market. It’s manned solely by Bob. So it’s a chance to meet the maker, and hear the context behind all the handmade, pieces on show.
WOLFGANG FLUR Wolfgang Flur (born 17 July 1947) is a German musician, best known as a member of the electronic band Kraftwerk from 1973 to 1987, playing electronic percussion. Flür also wrote his autobiography “Ich war ein Roboter” (English version: I Was a Robot), published in 2000. The autobiography includes his youth, early career as a musician, and his activity within Kraftwerk. Wolfgang Flur’s current stage performances show videos and rare images from his Kraftwerk years. Wolfgang sees himself as a music presenter with historical electronic background. Having written the foreword to Rudi Esch’s ELECTRI_CITY book, Wolfgang accompanies Rudi on readings throughout the UK to show videos and present the oral history of their hometown.
CHRIS GOLLON Chris Gollon is an established name in British painting. He has exhibited in St Paul’s Cathedral with Bill Viola and has works in major public collections including the British Museum. He exhibited with Yoko Ono, David Bowie and Gavin Turk in ROOT, a crossover exhibition of contemporary music and art created by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, at Chisenhale Gallery, London. Gollon was featured on Alan Yentob’s BBC1 programme ‘Imagine’ and the latest book on his life and work ‘Chris Gollon: Humanity in Art’, by art historian Tamsin Pickeral, was endorsed by Bill Bryson OBE and published in 2010. He was also made First Artist in Residence and Fellow of The Institute of Advanced Study (2009), Durham University. In 2015, his national touring exhibition to English cathedrals ‘Incarnation, Mary & Women from the Bible’ attracted much critical acclaim. Chris Gollon has a lifelong interest in music, was a friend of The Skids and enjoys the company of musicians. Song lyrics very often lead to exciting new imagery and collaborations, as with his current artistic response to the songs on Eleanor McEvoy’s new album, which gives the title to his new series of paintings: Naked Music.
KRISTIN HERSH Kristin Hersh is a songwriter, guitarist, mother and founder of the seminal art rock band Throwing Muses. Over three decades she has also performed as a solo artist and leader of 50FootWave, released dozens of critically acclaimed albums, and written her memoirs, “Rat Girl,”
“Paradoxical Undressing” and “Don’t Suck, Don’t Die.” Kristin currently lives in New England, New Orleans and on the road. Kristin joins Louder Than Words Festival on Saturday 12th November, 2pm, for a special in conversation that will also include readings, music and audience question and answer. Kristin’s new CD “Wyatt At The Coyote” comes in a deluxe package, housed in a hardcover book containing fiction written by Kristin.
BARNEY HOSKYNS Barney Hoskyns is the editorial director of Rock’s Backpages, the online library of pop writing and journalism. He is the author of, among other books, Hotel California (2006), the Tom Waits biography Lowside of the Road (2009) and Trampled Under Foot, an oral history of Led Zeppelin (2012). Small Town Talk, his history of the music scene in Woodstock between 1963 and 1986, was published by Faber and Da Capo in March 2016 receiving well deserved critical acclaim.
ZOE HOWE Zoë Howe’s debut novel, Shine On, Marquee Moon (Matador, September 2016) was shortlisted for the Virginia Prize For Fiction 2016. Previous books include Lee Brilleaux: Rock ’n’ Roll Gentleman, Barbed Wire Kisses - The Jesus and Mary Chain Story, Wilko Johnson - Looking Back At Me, Stevie Nicks - Visions, Dreams and Rumours andTypical Girls? The Story Of The Slits. When not writing, Zoë can often be found making an incredible racket
on the drums, making collages and dawdling about on the beach. She’s also Louder’s Lumniary - a position bestowed in recognition of her writing, journalism, music and overall contribution to our mad, eclectic world - we’re delighted! Novel info: Shine On, Marquee Moon, a rock ‘n’ roll love story tinged with satire, celebrates the extremes of life in the music business and challenges the myth of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll with plenty of wry humour, strong characters and sharp dialogue along the way. Howe’s debut exposes the hilarious and often bizarre reality of life on and off the road, where the most unlikely people become family, and ‘friends’ aren’t always who they appear to be. Never mind chick lit. This is rock chick lit. (For boys as well as girls). Shine On, Marquee Moon (Matador, September 2016) was shortlisted for the Virginia Prize For Fiction 2016.
PATRICK HUMPHRIES Patrick Humphries began his writing career as a “hip young gunslinger” on New Musical Express back when you had to buy it. Since then he has gone on to write definitive biographies of Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, Richard Thompson and Lonnie Donegan. He has also written acclaimed biographies of Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon - some of whom he has even met. When writers used to get paid, he contributed to The Times, Vox magazine, The Guardian and Mojo. As a pop historian, he was a regular on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 2. Now he sits at home telling anyone who will listen “That Bob Dylan brushed against me at as press conference in 1986…”
STEVE IGNORANT Steve Ignorant is a singer/songwriter and artist, who together with kindred spirit Penny Rimbaud, established the extremely influential DIY anarchopunk band CRASS. It existed from 1977 to 1984 and released classics like ‘Stations Of The Crass’, ‘The Feeding Of The 5000’ and ‘Christ The Album’. Their music was uncompromising and anarchistic but always extremely well thought out. As a result, their albums still sound fiercely relevant. After the demise of that band, Steve found himself with idle hands. The timing was perfect for those hands to slip into the glove-puppet characters of the ‘Dominion of Fancy’ otherwise known as ‘Punch’s Opera’. He performed the traditional Punch and Judy show using the name Professor Ignorant. His autobiography ‘The Rest Is Propaganda’ was first published in 2010. The revised version is now available from Steve’s own publishing company Dimlo Productions. Steve is currently busy writing new songs and touring with his band Slice Of Life. A far cry from the aggression of Crass, nevertheless compelling with powerful songs delivered in an acoustic style. Both personal and universal, Slice of Life present ruminations from the bar stool honed on the late-night walk home. They supported kindred-spirits Sleaford Mods to capacity crowds at venues such as London’s Forum and performed at the Rebellion, Wickerman and KISMIF festivals. In so doing, the band have won over many new fans and rekindled the interest of many an older punk rocker.
CHRIS JAM Wordsmith is one of the Manchesters most exciting poetry performance projects for young people. Wordsmith believes the Arts can be creatively transformative as well as educational and entertaining. The Wordsmith takes its inspiration from slam poetry; adapting this format for schools in order to facilitate growth, empowerment, equality of opportunity and freedom of selfexpression. Wordsmith is thrilled to be hosting a straight up slam featuring some of the soul watering talent we have encountered and assisted in their growth as orators and performers. Building on our successful collaborations in 2014 and 2015, this year we’re joined by young poets from Wordsmith’s feeder organisation Young Identity as well as aspiring poets from both sides of the Pennines, ready to go head to head in our very own War of the Roses Poetry Slam. If the opportunity to win quality music literature isn’t enough, the opportunity to become Louder Than Words’ poet in residence in 2017 will surely whet appetites! Hosted by Wordsmith co-director Chris Jam.
MARTIN JAMES Martin was a music journalist for over twenty years, during which time he has trawled the darkened recesses of
the world’s dingiest clubs in search of the perfect beat. Martin is the author of several critically acclaimed, globally published and occasionally best selling books. Martin’s acclaimed ‘State of Bass: Jungle – The Story So Far’ sells for £150 on Ebay… he doesn’t own a copy. In 2008 Martin was awarded a PhD for his work on dance music genre in the music press. In 2013 he became Professor of Music Industries at Southampton Solent University. Martin failed all of his ‘O’ levels except for Art. Martin has been represented by both the French media and government (!) as being the man who invented the French Touch thanks to his premiere features and reviews of the mid to late 90s French dance scene, documented in his book ‘French Connections – from discotheque to discovery’. Martin has been punched by Goldie and kidnapped by an unknown DJ in Italy. He also once swam across crocodile infested waters in Indonesia, got stoned senseless with Cypress Hill in Amsterdam and played Resident Evil with Ice T in Hollywood. He’s also travelled the world with The Prodigy and supplied sleevenotes to their greatest hits collection ‘Their Law’. Martin was the last British journalist to interview LSD counter culture icon Dr Timothy Leary in his Hollywood 90210 home. Winona Ryder was at the door, Oliver Stone in the kitchen and Perry Farrel on the sofa. The soundtrack was supplied by London dub house crew The Woodshed. Martin has an unpublished novel in his sock drawer… he’s been working on the follow up for ten years. It’s called
‘Status’ and is about virtual identities, auditory bubbles and OCD. He plans on finishing it before he hits 90. Annie Nightingale once described Martin as: “… one of the most conscientious, outspoken and honest writers working in music today — and he’s not afraid to cry!”
LEIGH JONES After starting working for DIY rock and metal labels, Leigh Jones joined Cherry Red in 2014 in mail order. He now works on their catalogue and boxset releases and runs his own label, Riff Rock Records. Passionate about Welsh music, Leigh is a juror for the Welsh Music Prize and has a regular column in contemporary Welsh language music magazine ‘Y Selar’.
DR REBEKKA KILL Dr Rebekka Kill is Associate Dean of Student Experience at Central St Martins college. During her career she has taught in a range of further and higher education contexts in both studio practice and also in critical and historical studies. Dr Kill has published academic texts on festival performance, disciplinary pedagogy, practice as research and academic identity construction. Her publications also include coauthoring with students and publishing in non-academic contexts such as blogs, fanzines and catalogues. She is a practicing visual and performance artist and works as a nightclub DJ. Her PhD was titled “Academic Identity in the
Arts: Dialogue, Co-existence and a Pedagogy of Potentiality”.
CP LEE As a writer, performer and producer, CP Lee has worked for Granada Television, Channel 4 and LWT, at the Royal Court Theatre and the Roundhouse, the Melkweg Amsterdam and beyond. He has written/ presented TV documentaries on Variety including BBC2’s Morecambe and Wise doccos, Blackpool Big Night Out, Rude Britannia and C4’s Secret Diaries of Les Dawson as well as a wide range of radio doccos on popular culture. Retired from a parallel career as University lecturer in 2015, ‘CP UkuleLee’ remounted his musical career and now tours with his solo show ‘Just One Alberto’ (an homage to his time on the road with Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias), as well as appearing with Gerry and The Holograms and singing with hotshot ensemble Vocal Harum.
ELEANOR MCEVOY Eleanor McEvoy (born 22 January 1967) is one of Ireland’s most accomplished contemporary singer/ songwriters. McEvoy composed the song “Only A Woman’s Heart”, title track of A Woman’s Heart, the bestselling Irish album in Irish history. McEvoy’s life as a musician began at the age of four when she began playing piano. At the age of eight she took up violin. Upon finishing school she attended Trinity College, Dublin where she studied music by day and worked in pit orchestras and music clubs by night.
McEvoy graduated from Trinity with an Honors Degree in music, and spent four months busking in New York City. In 1988, she was accepted into the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra where she spent four years before leaving to concentrate on songwriting. Naked Music is McEvoy’s twelfth studio album. The album was recorded at the Grange Studio in Norfolk, UK. McEvoy recorded the tracks by “studio-performing,” in other words, playing the songs as she would in a live performance. The album features exclusive artwork by famed painter Chris Gollon.
JOEL MCIVER Joel McIver is the bestselling author of 26 books on rock music. He contributes to the Guardian, the Telegraph and Classic Rock among many other publications and is also the editor of Bass Guitar Magazine. Classic Rock magazine recently described Joel McIver as “by some distance the UK’s most prolific rock/ metal author” and we agree! Not only that, we’re delighted to have Joel joining us in November and for Metal to be included in our programme!
MICK MIDDLES Mick Middles has been writing about – mainly – Manchester music since the advent of punk. He was the Manchester correspondent for Sounds magazine and his work has featured in a wide array of publications including The Face, Classic Rock, Zigzag, Jamming, The Guardian, Mail on Sunday, the
Express, Daily Telegraph, Independent on Sunday and many more. He was columnist for the Manchester Evening News for 14 years. He is the author of 25 books including The Factory Story, Torn Apart, the Life of Ian Curtis, Breaking into Heaven, The Stone Roses, Red Mick, the biography of Mick Hucknall, Hitting Across the Line. The story of West Indian cricket legend Viv Richards and Out of his Head, the authorised biography of Chris Sievey/Frank Sidebottom. He presents the Middles’ Show on Fab Radio, Fridays 7 – 9pm alongside his wife, Vicky. In October 2016, Mick was heavily involved in the launch of the new Sounds Monthly website. He is currently writing an authorised biography of Manchester radio legend, Mike Sweeney.
SIMON A MORRISON Over the last two decades, Simon A. Morrison has written for everyone from The Guardian to Loaded, with his collected columns for DJmag – ‘Dispatches From The Wrong Side’ – published as Discombobulated by Headpress. Reporting on the clubscene from Moscow to Marrakech; Beijing to Brazil, Simon also lived in Ibiza for two summers, editing Ministry of Sound’s Ibiza magazine and presenting TV and radio. Moving into academe, Simon is currently researching a PhD, based at the University of Leeds, looking at the representation of club culture in fiction. He has presented that research at conferences from
Porto to Amsterdam, and written extensively for academic journals, and book titles for Bloomsbury and Reaktion, including the upcoming title Dancefloors: Revolutions of Club Culture. Currently a Senior Lecturer at Chester University, Simon also heads up the university’s Music Journalism degree. Part of the core Louder Than Words team, Simon will chair the club culture panel at Louder Than Words for a fourth time, as well as leading and coordinating the Louder Than Words PR campaign via his company, Pad Communications.
DAVID NOLAN David Nolan has written books on everyone from the Sex Pistols to Ed Sheeran. He’s also authored biographies on Tony Wilson, Damon Albarn, Jake Bugg and Simon Cowell. He’s written and directed TV documentaries on Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths and the Sex Pistols and been awarded five Royal Television awards for his programmemaking. As well as music biographies, in 2015 he wrote ‘Tell The Truth and Shame The Devil’, an account of the trial and imprisonment of his former teacher Alan Morris on historic abuse charges. The book formed the basis of the Radio 4 documentary ‘The Abuse Trial’ in 2016. The case was also turned into a short documentary for ITV, which won the 2015 RTS award for Best Story.
LUCY O’BRIEN Lucy O’Brien is the author of She Bop: The Definitive History of
Women in Popular Music. She also published Madonna: Like An Icon (now translated into 13 languages), plus indepth biographies of Dusty Springfield and Annie Lennox. Lucy has worked for the music press since the1980s, starting on NME and she’s contributed to a range of titles including Q, MOJO, the Sunday Times and The Guardian. She co-produced Righteous Babes, the 1998 Channel 4 film about rock and new feminism and is a regular contributor to music related television programmes and documentaries. Back in the early 1980s Lucy was in all-girl punk band The Catholic Girls. Lucy is currently Course Leader for Music Journalism and Music Marketing & Promotion at UCA Epsom
JOHN OSBORNE John Osborne is a writer and performer based in Norwich. He has written six half hour shows for Radio 4 and has had poetry broadcast on Radio 1, BBC 6Music and Radio 3. His first TV show After Hours, which he co-wrote with Molly Naylor was broadcast on Sky 1 in 2015. He has written three non-fiction books and is working on his fourth. In 2002, John won a competition on John Peel’s Radio 1 show. His prize was a box of records. This is an ode to radio, those records and anyone who’s ever sought solace in wireless. This show features a selection of records previously owned by the late John Peel. Many are very rare recordings by obscure and now defunct bands, and this is a unique opportunity for any Peel fan. A version of the show was recorded at
the BBC Radio Theatre and broadcast on Radio 4 in December 2011. ‘If you ever need to explain radio’s sustained popularity to someone, suggest they listen to John Peel’s Shed’ - The Guardian.
DJ PAULETTE In a career currently spanning more than two decades and three countries – Paulette has made entertaining on a european scale and the relocation involved look effortless a. international Resident in three countries. As a selector not a jukebox, Paulette has held her own and supported the cream of the dj establishment - from Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay, David Guetta, Laidback Luke, SHM, Afrojack, Bob Sinclar, Didier Sinclair, Fafa Monteco to Duke Dumont, Jaymo & Andy George, Junior Sanchez and Artwork. She has also spent the last 23 years playing from the heart not the head as a resident at some of the biggest and best clubs in the world. There has been no faking it and no pretending. Paulette is a rare creature for whom replicating excellence is a mere badge of honour both in front of and behind the scenes. She is a champion and defender of the faith of all good music - from rare grooves and funk to disco to house and techno. She has been called a maverick and a fire starter due to her explosive and dynamic shows and work in clubs, to record labels, to press, TV and radio. As capable of entertaining a club with very long 9h+ or short radio minimix, Paulette knows how to get any party started with her mix of vibrant vocals, strong melodies, a blazing bass and signature phat beats. She also likes
to air her serious side by treaching, running seminars and talks and basically bossing people around.
DANIEL RACHEL Daniel Rachel is the author of Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters an NME and Guardian Book of the Year. He is a musician and songwriter, and a specialist director bringing drama to non-theatrical settings. After reading an American book called Songwriters On Songwriting, Daniel went in search of the British equivalent. He didn’t find it. So decided to create the book he wanted to read. Daniel’s latest title Walls Come Tumbling Down: An oral history of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge will be published by Picador in 2016 and we’re delighted and privileged to have Daniel join us in conversation for Louder 2016. In this special event, Daniel will take the audience through a visual tour of the voices of campaigners, musicians, artists and politicians, charting this extraordinary and pivotal period between 1976 and 1992, following the rise and fall of three key movements of the time: Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone, and Red Wedge, revealing how they both shaped, and were shaped by, the music of a generation. Daniel’s session will also include a screening of ‘Days Like These’ a rare film that hasn’t been screened in full since 1986. Capturing the national tour of that year, the film features Billy Bragg, Madness, Paul Weller, Junior, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Rhoda Dakar, Johnny Marr, Tom Robinson and others.
JOHN REED Having worked for most of the 1990s as a music journalist with Record Collector magazine, as well as writing for the likes of Mojo and penning the Paul Weller biography My Ever Changing Moods, John joined Castle Communications in 1998 to run their Sequel label, eventually running their Special Markets division overseeing such iconic labels as Trojan Records. Since 2008, he’s worked for Cherry Red Records wearing many hats, including the curation of several well-received genre box sets such as the award-winning Scared To Get Happy. He is currently the company’s Operations Manager.
DEREK RIDGERS Derek Ridgers (b. London, 195o) is one of London’s most influential club and street photographers, starting in the seventies with his documentation of the rise of the Blitz Kids, the New Romantics, Hell and Taboo in London. Ridgers originally trained as a graphic designer and worked in advertising for over a decade before taking up photography after testing a client’s camera product. Following a change in career Ridgers began working for the iconic British magazine The Face and the music weekly NME (New Music Express). Ridgers documented the British style and music scene as the Punk rock era began to develop in the late 1970s. A founder of the straight-up style of photography, his observational approach to photographing London’s Youth enabled him to capture skinheads, punks, ravers, goth’s and
fetishists as well as every hybrid style that has developed from these various subcultures. Ridgers work has been exhibited internationally since the seventies; Recently he has published several monographs including The Dark Carnival and PUNK LONDON 1977.
PENNY RIMBAUD In ‘OPEN DOOR, OPEN HEART’ Penny Rimbaud and John Robb discuss the meaning of peace and love in a world which might so easily appear to practice the opposite - ‘THERE IS LOVE IF WE MAKE IT’ CRASS founding member Penny Rimbaud has been writing poetry, song lyrics, philosophy and memoirs for over 50 years. A drummer, performance artist, environmental activist and philosopher, he claims “breadmaker” as his most prevailing occupation. Rimbaud and Crass’s lasting influence on youth culture are a testament to the original importance of their words and deeds. Having formed a collective in 1967 to live outside of the status quo, Penny Rimbaud continues to inspire new generations of artistic rebels. Highly regarded as one of England’s great rebel poets, Penny Rimbaud is a prolific author and fearless explorer of possibilities in life and art. Over the three decades since Crass disbanded he has been involved in a myriad of arts projects, published over 14 books, and released vast ranging music including free form jazz, spoken word and symphonic punk.
JOHN ROBB John Robb is the co-curator of Louder Than Words Festival. John is the award winning indie music mainstay, frontman of punk rock band Goldblade and author of a number of best-selling books including The Stone Roses and the Resurrection of British Pop, and Punk Rock – An Oral History. John is a journalist, TV presenter, regular TV and radio pundit as well as the boss of one of the UK’s top 5 music culture websites ‘louderthanwar.com’. He was the first person to interview Nirvana and The Stone Roses and invented the term ‘Britpop’.[/one_ half_last] The Louder Team also includes a large number of volunteers, without whom we wouldn’t be able to establish the great vibe and smooth running we’re known for! Our volunteer coordinator, Emily Marsden, draws together and leads our extensive team of volunteers, ensuring each individual has a purposeful role that’s balanced with real opportunities for indulging in the Festival programme. Many thanks to all who join us each year and make such a difference – watch this space if you’re interested in joining us next time!
MARTIN RYAN I was a regular at gigs in Manchester from 1976 through to the 80s. In 76 I saw mainly pub bands at The Phoenix in Manchester University Precinct, such as Solstice, Rudy and the Zipps and Son of a Bitch (who became Saxon). The first punk(?) bands I saw
were Slaughter and the Dogs and Wild Ram (later Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds) at the Wythenshawe Forum in Sept 1976. I was partly converted after seeing the Sex Pistols on the Anarchy Tour at the Electric Circus in December 1976, although the gig that probably changed my life was Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers at The Oaks in March 1977. In 1977 I ran the Manchester fanzine Ghast Up with Mick Middles and was a regular at the Electric Circus through to it’s closure in Ocrtober, seeing Clash, Ramones, Saints and Buzzcocks when Warsaw (Joy Division) debuted. From Issue 2 we had contributions from Paul Morley (under the name Modest Young) and photos supplied by Kevin Cummins. I am currently working on a book about the Manchester years 1976 to 1978 with the working title “Friends of Mine”.
MELANIE SMITH Melanie Smith is a freelance photographer based in the North West UK. Melanie is experienced in all kinds of photography, working for a variety of publications. She is also available for private commissions from live music photography, festivals, band promo shoots, portraiture and events. She has been involved in the music industry for seven years and was the former Editor In Chief for online magazine ‘Mudkiss Fanzine’ from 2008 – 2013. She is now head of photography at John Robb’s website ‘Louder Than War’ and the Official photographer for Louder Than Words Festival.
PATRICIA SNAKE Currently an undergraduate English student at Manchester Metropolitan University, Patricia Snake was raised on a passion for poetry that manifested in a love of feminist spoken word artists such as Desiree Dallagiacomo, Olivia Gatwood and Crystal Valentine. She strives to increase diversity and acceptance within modern literature, and hopes to make poetry increasingly accessible to all. As a member of Manchester’s spoken word projects, Young Identity and the Stirred Feminist Collective, Patricia has performed at multiple events within the city, including the Royal Exchange Theatre’s female monologue programme I’ve Been Thinking, Contact Theatre’s One Mic Stand, and Three Minute Theatre’s Sonnet Slam as part of the Festival of Arts. She was also a guest performer alongside Jane Ormerod at the launch of Great Weather for Media’s latest anthology, Before Passing. She has a passion for monster movies and once slept overnight in a bookshop.
BRIX SMITH START Join us for this intimate and extraordinary insight to the life of Brix Smith Start. Copies of The Rise, The Fall, and The Rise will be available to purchase and for Brix to sign. Best known for her work in The Fall at the time when they were perhaps the most powerful and influential antiauthoritarian postpunk
band in the world -- This Nation’s Saving Grace, The Wonderful and Frightening World Of ... -- Brix spent ten years in the band before a violent disintegration led to her exit and the end of her marriage with Mark E Smith. But Brix’s story is much more than rock ‘n’ roll highs and lows in one of the most radically dysfunctional bands around. Growing up in the Hollywood Hills in the ‘60s in a dilapidated pink mansion her life has taken her from luxury to destitution, from the cover of the NME to waitressing in California, via the industrial wasteland of Manchester in the 1980s. What emerges is a story of constant reinvention, jubilant highs and depressive ebbs; a singular journey of a teenage American girl on a collision course with English radicalism on her way to mid-life success on TV and in fashion. Too bizarre, extreme and unlikely to exist in the pages of fiction, The Rise, The Fall, and The Rise could only exist in the pages of a memoir. Brix Smith Start is a songwriter and guitarist best known for her work with The Fall and The Adult Net. In recent years she has worked as a tv presenter and in fashion as the owner of a string of boutiques with her husband, Philip Start.
NICK SOULSBY Nick Soulsby is a fairly everyday bloke who hopes to stay that way while never turning the things he loves doing — like writing — into things he must do to earn a daily crust. Nick is the author of four books. Three of
his books are focused on the band Nirvana; the first, Dark Slivers, is a dissection of the 1992 Incesticide compilation, the second, I Found My Friends, (St Martin’s Press, 2015), is an oral history built entirely from the memories of 150+ of the bands who played alongside Nirvana 1987-1994, the third (and likely final), Cobain on Cobain (Omnibus Press, 2016) is a collection of interviews with Kurt Cobain and the band Nirvana across the years 1989-1994 following the band as they experience their wild ride and tell it in the moment, as it occurred. His latest book, We Sing a New Language: the Oral Discography of Thurston Moore, (Omnibus Press, 2016) paints a picture of the lives, scenes and sounds that have risen and fallen away over the course of Moore’s 3 ½ decades in music through the memories of 160 musicians, producers and record label owners who played a part in the works he has created. In 2014 Nick collaborated with Soul Jazz Records to curate No Seattle: Forgotten Sounds of the North West Grunge Era 1986-97, a release of little known and never before seen bands from the State of Washington’s heyday. He also wrote the liner notes to the reissue of The Fire Ants sole 1993 EP release Stripped. From 2012, Nick wrote the widely respected Nirvana-Legacy.com blog. His writing has featured in Clash Magazine, the Ann Arbor Current newspaper, the Colorado Springs Independent newspaper, as well as recurring series for The Vinyl Factory and Words & Guitars websites.
MICHAEL SPENCER JONES Michael Spencer Jones is renowned for being one of the UK’s most interesting and influential rock photographers responsible for creating some of the most iconic sleeve art in British rock history. He became fascinated by photography from an early age and developed a strong passion for the art whilst studying the great American photographers of the 20th century; photographers such as Alfred Steiglitz, Edward Steichen and Paul Outerbridge. He also became interested in surrealism and the ’pop art’ album covers of Hipgnosis; these influences are evident in the imagery he created for Oasis and The Verve during the Britpop era. Michael studied photography & film at Bournemouth & Poole college of Art and during his time there frequently travelled to London to assist the accomplished and flamboyant advertising photographer Stak, in his Mayfair studio. It was here where he learned much of his craft. He also became acquainted with Stak’s close friend, fashion photographer Terence Donovan, who encouraged him to pursue a career in photography. After graduating from Bournemouth with a distinction, Michael moved to Manchester where he soon became involved in the ‘Madchester’ music scene, meeting Tony Wilson of Factory Records and photographing the Happy Mondays and Stone Roses amongst others. He met with Oasis in 1993 after Noel Gallagher had seen his photographs appear on the covers to the English rock band the Verve
As well as working within the music industry and creating meticulously planned photographs, Michael also considers himself to be a serious portrait photographer and has captured many famous faces with his simple and emotive style of photography often using natural or available light to create an intimacy between the subject and viewer. It was using this style of portraiture that Michael produced his series of acclaimed portraits for the permanent exhibition ‘Children in War’ at the Imperial War Museum North. Michael has recently published Supersonic – The Oasis Photographs – published by Omnibus Press, an in depth book looking at Michael’s photography and work with the band. His imagery of Oasis is inextricably linked to their visual identity and you can probably imagine the covers to Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? without reading further.
JEFF THOMPSON Jeff is co-founder of Un-Convention, and a Director of Manchester’s Bare Noise Records. Established in 2008, Un-Convention is a UK based global music network and development agency. The events and projects bring together artists and practitioners to share knowledge and expertise. Through this Jeff has helped to develop a number of new and innovative approaches to building sustainable careers and alternative models for the music industries. His current work includes a long term music project working with young people in Manchester,
the development of a number of music co-operatives in Africa, and a revolutionary new UK based touring model called Off Axis. He is fortunate enough to spend much of his time working with musicians, filmmakers, designers, illustrators, writers, directors, actors, dancers, animators and numerous other talented and innovative people.
THUNDER Thunder will launch the band’s first book “Giving The Game Away - The Thunder Story” at the Louder Than Words literary festival in Manchester on November 12th, 8.30pm. Author Joel McIver will join the band, ask the questions and do his best to keep the proceedings on track. For their part, the band will discuss the book, explain 40 years of band history in 10 minutes, and play some acoustic versions of their songs. Afterwards, the band will mingle freely with attendees and sign copies of the book (which has pictures in it as well as words!). Thunder singer Danny Bowes says “Joel wrote the book after interviewing us and all our significant others. He deserves a medal, but instead his prize is to interview us all over again. We’ll burst into song when it looks like he needs a rest”. Please note that merchandise signing will be restricted to copies of ‘Giving The Game Away – The Thunder Story’. Thank you in advance of your understanding.
DR ARAVIND VIJAYARAGHAVAN Dr. Aravind Vijayaraghavan is a Lecturer in Nanomaterials in the School of Materials and the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester. He leads the Nanofunctional Materials Group and his research involves the science and technology of graphene and 2-dimensional materials, particularly for applications in composites, electronics, sensors and biotechnology. He was previously a post-doctoral research fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA and an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. He obtained his MEng (2002) and PhD (2006) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA and his BTech (2000) from the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, India. He has published over 60 papers in international peer reviewed journals and delivered over 50 presentations at international conferences.
DR PETER WEBB Dr Peter Webb is Programme Leader of Sociology at the University of the West of England, Bristol and a member of the Subcultures, Popular Music and Social change network. He is author of Exploring the Networked Worlds of Popular Music: Milieu Cultures, (Routledge 2007/2010). he is also a musician, owner of the DIY publishing company Pc-Press and a writer for the Bristol Music Archive.
DAVID WILKINSON David Wilkinson Is a Lecturer in English at Manchester Metropolitan University and author of Post-Punk, Politics and Pleasure in Britain (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016), which is a part of the book series of the Subcultures Network.
FUNKY SI WOLSTENCROFT Simon Wolstencroft is a musician from Manchester, England, best known for playing drums with The Fall between 1986 and 1997. Wolstencroft was a member of The Patrol, an early incarnation of The Stone Roses with childhood friends Ian Brown and John Squire. He was also the drummer for Freak Party which featured Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke. After leaving The Fall, he went on to reunite with Stone Roses singer Ian Brown, performing and co-writing on his Golden Greats album. His memoir You Can Drum But You Can’t Hide was described as ‘essential reading’ by Vive Le Rockmagazine.
WOODY WOODMANSEY Delighted to announce that WOODY WOODMANSEY joins our Festival roster for 2016. SPIDER FROM MARS - A poignant memoir by the last surviving member of David Bowie’s The Spiders from Mars.
For many fans, Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era remains the most extraordinarily creative period in his career. As a member of Bowie’s legendary band at the time - The Spiders From Mars - Woody played drums on four seminal albums: The Man Who Sold The World, Hunky Dory, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and Aladdin Sane. Woody’s memoir, which he started work on in 2014, focuses on this key period and brings it to glorious life. With the confidence of youth, Woody always thought he’d be in a famous band but the nineteenyear-old rocker from Hull never expected to be thrust into London’s burgeoning glam rock scene, and also into a bottle-green velvet suit and girl’s shoes. Playing with Bowie took him on an eye-opening and transformative journey. In Spider From Mars he writes candidly about the characters who surrounded Bowie, recalling the album sessions as well as behind-the-scenes moments with one of the world’s most iconic singers. The result is an insightful, funny, poignant memoir that lovingly evokes a seminal moment in music history and pays tribute to one of the most outstanding and innovative talents of our time.
FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE FRIDAY 11 NOV 6.30pm 7.00-8.15pm 8.30-9.45pm 10.00-10.30pm 10.45pm
FESTIVAL OPENS: DIRECTOR’S SUITE THE RISE, THE FALL & THE RISE: Brix Smith Start PUNK@40: Punk Panel discussion FACEBOOK IS LIKE DISCO, PUNK IS LIKE TWITTER DJ SET, OPENING PARTY
SATURDAY 12 NOV 10.00-11.15am OUR LIPS ARE SEALED: Workshop/panel with Shoosmiths 10.00-11.15am PUNK OR PROFESSOR: Music Journalism in Higher Education 11.30-12.45pm SUPERSONIC: OASIS: Michael Spencer Jones 12.00-1.15pm SPIDER FROM MARS: Woody Woodmansey 12.00-1.15pm THE AESTHETIC OF OUR ANGER: SubCulture Network panel 1.45-3.00pm YOU CAN DRUM BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE: Funky Si Wolstencroft & Mike Bennett 2.00-3.15pm WYATT AT THE COYOTE PALACE: Kristin Hersh 2.00-3.15pm WRITE ON, BROTHER! Writing workshop with Daryl Easlea & Patrick Humphries 3.45-5pm SMALL TOWN TALK: WOODSTOCK Barney Hoskyns 4.00-5.15pm SHINE ON, MARQUEE MOON: Zoe Howe & Jane Bradley 5.45-7.00pm THE POLITICS OF DANCING: Club Culture panel 6.00- 7.30pm NAKED: A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, ART & COLLABORATION: Eleanor McEvoy & Chris Gollon 6.00-7.15pm PETE BROWN’S BEER & MUSIC MATCHING 8.30 THUNDER: GIVING THE GAME AWAY (separately ticketed event) 8.30-9.45pm JOHN PEEL’S SHED: John Osborne 8.30-9.45pm JUKE BOX FURY: Richard Boon & friends SUNDAY 13 NOV 10.00-1pm 10.00-11.15am 11.30-1.30pm 12.00-1.15pm 1.45-2.15pm 2.00-3.15pm 2.00-3.15pm 3.45-5.00pm 4.00-5.15pm 4.00-5.15pm
WAR OF THE ROSES: Poetry Slam SLEEVE NOTES panel discussion WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN: Daniel Rachel COBAIN ON COBAIN & NIRVANA: Nick Soulsby RECOVERY SONGS: Ralph Dartford DO IT TOGETHER: UnConvention workshop OPEN DOOR, OPEN HEART: Penny Rimbaud AREN’T WE ALL JUST PUPPETS: Steve Ignorant & CP Lee ELECTRI-CITY: THE DUSSELDORF SCHOOL OF ELECTRONIC SOUND: Rudi Esch & Wolfgang Flur DETROIT 67: THE YEAR THAT CHANGED SOUL & YOUNG SOUL REBELS: Stuart Cosgrove
proud to support the festival evolving year on year our relationship with the Festival encompasses
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conrad@conraddavies.com
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FESTIVAL OPENS: 6.30-7pm DIRECTOR’S SUITE welcome from the Louder Team, Omnibus Press, our Louder Luminary Zoe Howe and our Poet In Residence 2016, Patricia Snake. All Weekend Pass, Friday Pass and Friday ticket holders are invited to join us for the formal opening of Louder Than Words Festival 2016 7.00-8.15pm THE RISE, THE FALL & THE RISE Brix Smith Start in conversation & acoustic set with Mick Middles Join us for this intimate and extraordinary insight to the life of Brix Smith Start. Copies of The Rise, The Fall, and The Rise will be available to purchase and for Brix to sign and we’ll be treated to an acoustic set, together with guitarist Steve Trafford. Best known for her work in The Fall at the time when they were perhaps the most powerful and influential antiauthoritarian postpunk band in the world -- This Nation’s Saving Grace, The Wonderful and Frightening World Of ... -- Brix spent ten years in the band before a violent disintegration led to her exit and the end of her marriage with Mark E Smith. But Brix’s story is much more than rock ‘n’ roll highs and lows in one of the most radically dysfunctional bands around. Growing up in the Hollywood Hills in the ‘60s in a dilapidated pink mansion her life has taken her from luxury to destitution, from the cover of the NME to waitressing in California, via the industrial wasteland of Manchester in the 1980s. What emerges is a story of constant reinvention, jubilant highs and depressive ebbs; a singular journey of a teenage American girl on a collision course with English radicalism on her way to mid-life success on TV and in fashion. Too bizarre, extreme and unlikely to exist in the pages of fiction, The Rise, The Fall, and The Rise could only exist in the pages of a memoir. Brix Smith Start is a songwriter and guitarist best known for her work with The Fall and The Adult Net. In recent years she has worked as a tv presenter and in fashion as the owner of a string of boutiques with her husband, Philip Start.
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
8.30-9.45pm PUNK@40. History, legacy and cultural impact: Mick Middles (Chair), Richard Boon, David Nolan, Martin Ryan & Derek Ridges, Join journalist and author Mick Middles as he hosts Richard Boon, David Nolan, Derek Ridges and Martin Ryan in a panel discussion that explores and dispels some of the myths surrounding the rise of punk, it’s impact across the country, key dates & moments and its continuing cultural impact 40 years on. A treat in store for sure, with music, imagery, voices and insights from those who indeed were there!
10.00-10.30pm FACEBOOK IS LIKE DISCO, PUNK IS LIKE TWITTER Rebekka Kill Dr Rebekka Kill joins the opening night line-up of Louder Than Words 2016 with her animated show ‘FACEBOOK IS LIKE DISCO, TWITTER IS LIKE PUNK’. This TED style show, presents over 200 animated slides while Dr Kill DJs live using seven inch vinyl records. The show will then splice into a full DJ set ensuring we celebrate the opening night of our Festival weekend in appropriate style. All ticket holders to Rebekka’s event are invited to stay for her DJ set and Festival celebrations.
10.45pm DJ Set, opening party
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10.00-11.15am
OUR LIPS ARE SEALED: Legal highs (and lows) Shoosmiths Solicitors ShooCreative workshop A sneaky peek behind the scenes of a leading media and entertainment law practice. During the session you’ll hear about some high profile cases and some of the matters the team have dealt with (on a no-names basis) including defamation and copyright infringement claims. It will be a canter through the world of intellectual property law in the context of music, publishing and celebrity and why having a basic understanding of IP rights can save you from getting into expensive legal scrapes. A MUST for anyone working in the creative sectors!
PALACE SUITE 4
10.00-11.15am
PUNK or PROFESSOR: Panel discussion: Is the university campus a fit place for music journalism? Working as a music journalist can be your backstage pass to the best gigs, the biggest festivals, and the most spectacular club nights on the planet. However, is this a skill that writers - both of parties past and gigs yet to happen – are born with, or is it something that can be taught? To debate this subject, this panel will welcome Professor Martin James, music writer and now Professor of Cultural Industries at Southampton Solent University. With Martin is Lucy O’Brien, author of She Bop, the acclaimed history of women in popular music. She is also Course Leader for Music Journalism and Music Marketing & Promotion at UCA Epsom. Also on the panel (and in the audience) will be the invaluable input of students currently paying undeniably extravagant fees to study this subject, and perhaps adding another perspective is venerable music writer Mick Middles, who took to social media to declare he didn’t agree the subject could, or should, be a Higher Education discipline. The panel is chaired by Simon A. Morrison, ex-columnist for DJmagazine, having now swapped the dancefloor for the lecture theatres of Chester University.
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
PALACE SUITE 6
11.30-12.45pm
SUPERSONIC: The OASIS photographs Photographer Michael Spencer Jones in conversation In this special event, Michael will be talking about his recently published book Supersonic – The Oasis Photographs Michael’s imagery of Oasis is inextricably linked to their visual identity and you can probably imagine the covers to Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? without reading further. Michael will be discussing and talking about his work with Oasis, how he created some of the iconic covers and recounting some of his experiences with the band. Undoubtedly insightful and at times funny, this in conversation will span his first meeting with the band at Out of the Blue Studios in Manchester through to the creation of the Definitely Maybe cover, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? and the chaos of ‘Be Here Now’. There’s no maybe here - for any Oasis fan, this is definitely a session not to be missed!
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
12.00-1.15pm
SPIDER FROM MARS: Woody Woodmansey in conversation with Joel McIver A poignant session focused on the memoir by the last surviving member of David Bowie’s The Spiders from Mars, drummer Woody Woodmansey. For many fans, Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era remains the most extraordinarily creative period in his career. As a member of Bowie’s legendary band at the time - The Spiders From Mars - Woody played drums on four seminal albums: The Man Who Sold The World, Hunky Dory, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and Aladdin Sane. Woody’s memoir, which he started work on in 2014, focuses on this key period and brings it to glorious life. With the confidence of youth, Woody always thought he’d be in a famous band but the nineteen-year-old rocker from Hull never expected to be thrust into London’s burgeoning glam rock scene, and also
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into a bottle-green velvet suit and girl’s shoes. Playing with Bowie took him on an eye-opening and transformative journey. In Spider From Mars he writes candidly about the characters who surrounded Bowie, recalling the album sessions as well as behind-the-scenes moments with one of the world’s most iconic singers. The result is an insightful, funny, poignant memoir that lovingly evokes a seminal moment in music history and pays tribute to one of the most outstanding and innovative talents of our time.
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
12.00-1.15pm
THE AESTHETIC OF OUR ANGER: A discussion of representing the impact of punk/anarcho punk/post-punk through research. SubCultures Network. Dr Peter Webb, Dr Mike Dines, David Wilkinson Researching and writing about Punk/AnarchoPunk/Post-punk: this session explores the problem of writing and researching these scenes and the issues related to presenting a piece of work that represents and speaks to the audience it is intended for. The session examines the book The Aesthetic of our Anger. Anarcho-punk, Politics and music. (Minor Compositions Press 2016) and its reception from a knowledgeable audience, the impact of punk in terms of the development of a moral, ethical and political framework for those who were immersed in scene and the way that punk introduced people to different types of literature that they wouldn’t necessarily have engaged with before their interaction with punk. Punks always have opinions, want to get the right understanding of things and want to get the history right - We will tackle this thorny subject.
PALACE SUITE 6
1.45-3.00pm
YOU CAN DRUM BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE Funky Si Wolstencroft in conversation with Mike Bennett Among the many near-mythical figures of the Manchester music scene, they call him the Nearly Man. You’d expect a drummer to have better timing. Yes, he parted ways before The Patrol became the Stone Roses. Yes, he turned down The Smiths. Right place, right time wrong choices? Timing is everything. But while Simon Wolstencroft can see what might have been, cultivating
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
bitterness bears no fruit. And ‘Funky Si’ has tasted the nectar. Spending an 11 unlikely years in The Fall, and hooking up with old mate Ian Brown during his solo days, You Can Drum But You Can’t Hide, published by our great friends and partners Route, reflects on a life driven by a passion for playing. From the warehouse of Manchester and the beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the high rises of Tokyo, Simon hands you a backstage pass to an evocative age that restored pride to the city of Manchester. And the story continues. His latest musical ventures with The G-O-D and Stemz incorporate collaborations with a consortium of musicians including ex members of the Fall, Elbow, Pixies, Gorillaz, Fun Boy Three, The Specials and The Colourfield, the latter all orchestrated through the creative hands of renowned producer, writer and actor Mike Bennett. Mike himself is in the throes of writing his own book ‘Open Mike’, so who better to host this special in conversation that will undoubtedly demand an insider’s knowledge of music, humour and life? Mike has written for Rik Mayall, Frankie Howerd, Phil Cool, Bobby Davro, The Muppets and Children’s ITV as well as many West End plays. As a record producer and writer, his credits include ELP, The Specials, Toyah, Andy Rourke, The Fall and Ian Brown for whom he co-wrote Golden Gaze. A perfect match! Join us for this special event as together Si and Mike recount, with humour and detail, a fascinating tale of drumming and drugs, friendships and fall-outs, but, above all, a love of music. For those of you lucky enough to be with us, we’ll also be sharing sights and sounds of the ‘What happened next?’…
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
2.00-3.15pm
WYATT AT THE COYOTE PALACE Kristin Hersh in conversation with John Robb with readings and acoustic set Kristin Hersh is a songwriter, guitarist, mother and founder of the seminal art rock band Throwing Muses. Over three decades she has also performed as a solo artist and leader of 50FootWave, released dozens of critically acclaimed albums, and written her memoirs, “Rat Girl,” “Paradoxical Undressing” and “Don’t Suck, Don’t Die.” Kristin currently lives in New England, New Orleans and on the road.
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Kristin joins Louder Than Words Festival for a special in conversation that will also include readings, music and audience question and answer. We’ll be celebrating the release of her new CD “Wyatt At The Coyote” which comes in a deluxe package, housed in a hardcover book containing fiction written by Kristin.
PALACE SUITE 4
2.00-3.15pm
WRITE ON, BROTHER! Patrick Humphries & Daryl Easlea Although beginning their careers in different eras, the similarities between Patrick Humphries (author of, among others, Nick Drake: The Biography and Lonnie Donegan and the Birth Of British Rock and Roll) and Daryl Easlea (Without Frontiers: The Life And Music Of Peter Gabriel, Talent Is An Asset: The Story Of Sparks etc) are many; both have an excellent eye for detail and their foremost aim in writing rock biography is to make the artist come alive on the page. Patrick and Daryl will be discussing their respective books and work as jobbing writers, and importantly, how to be a scribe in this ever-shifting digital age. Full of anecdotes, information and laughs, WRITE ON, BROTHER! is a must for those who wish to learn more, ask some questions, or simply would like to listen to a couple of ageing raconteurs who know who played bass on the second Nick Drake album.
PALACE SUITE 6
3.45-5.00pm
SMALL TOWN TALK: WOODSTOCK WHERE THE STARDUST WASN’T ALWAYS GOLDEN Barney Hoskyns in conversation with John Robb Forget the world-famous festival: Small Town Talk is the true and untold story of the real Woodstock, the tiny Catskills town where Dylan, Van, Janis, and The Band played, put down roots, and gave birth to Americana music. Barney Hoskyns recreates Woodstock’s community of dysfunctional musicians, opportunistic hippie merchants and scheming dealers drawn to the area by Dylan, The Band, and their manager Albert Grossman.
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
Intertwined in the story are the Woodstock experiences of artists as diverse as Jimi Hendrix, Paul Butterfield, Todd Rundgren, Tim Hardin, Karen Dalton and Bobby Charles. The Guardian calls the book “an enthralling but melancholy tale” and MOJO says it “offers a pitch-perfect East Coast corollary to Hoskyns’ classic tome on the Laurel Canyon scene, Hotel California.”
PALACE SUITE 4
4.00-5.15pm
SHINE ON, MARQUEE MOON Zoe Howe in conversation with Jane Bradley In this special in conversation, author and Louder Luminary Zoë Howe will discuss her debut novel: Shine On, Marquee Moon with Jane Bradley, founder and Director of For Books’ Sake and much valued friend of Louder. This rock ‘n’ roll love story tinged with satire, celebrates the extremes of life in the music business and challenges the myth of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll with plenty of wry humour, strong characters and sharp dialogue along the way. Howe’s debut exposes the hilarious and often bizarre reality of life on and off the road, where the most unlikely people become family, and ‘friends’ aren’t always who they appear to be. Never mind chick lit. This is rock chick lit. (For boys as well as girls). Shine On, Marquee Moon (Matador, September 2016) was shortlisted for the Virginia Prize For Fiction 2016. Zoë will also share insights to her previous books, including Lee Brilleaux: Rock ’n’ Roll Gentleman, Barbed Wire Kisses - The Jesus and Mary Chain Story, Wilko Johnson - Looking Back At Me, Stevie Nicks - Visions, Dreams and Rumours andTypical Girls? The Story Of The Slits. A true talent, we’re both privileged and delighted to welcome Zoë and Jane back to the Louder roster and guarantee a treat for any and all who are passionate about words and music.
THE PALACE HOTEL, MANCHESTER PALACE SUITE 6
12
SAT
PROGRAMME:
5.45-7.00pm
THE POLITICS OF DANCING Louder’s annual Club Culture Panel with Simon Morrison, Matthew Collin, Martin James and DJ Paulette The nightclub scene has continually reformed and regenerated, whether lindyhoppers in 1920s Harlem nightspots or pill-popping mods in 1960s swinging Soho. Arguably the greatest reconstitution of music and intoxication came during 1988’s Second Summer of Love, where a rave might co-opt a beach, field or warehouse for a dancefloor. Though all of these subcultural moments were undoubtedly socially important, clubbers, writers, academics and DJs have long argued whether this was ever a party with any political point. Music writer Simon Reynolds for instance called the rave scene ‘the cult of acceleration without destination’, with Rupa Huq adding that ‘rave was seen as ideologically vacuous’. Set against that has been major club events in 2016 including the mass shooting at Florida gay club Pulse, and the enforced closing of Fabric in London. In order to decode the disco and drill down into these points, this panel includes celebrated writer Matthew Collin, author of Altered State, a definitive history of the rave scene in Britain, as well as several other critically-acclaimed books about music, dance culture and political activism, including 2015’s politically-charged Pop Grenade. Joining Matthew is Martin James, a music writer who over the last 20 years has been punched by Goldie, kidnapped by Italian DJs and still found time to write books such as State of Bass: Jungle – The Story So Far, rising from subterranean dancefloor to reach the exalted status of Professor of Music Industries at Southampton Solent University. A new and very welcome panellist is the club and radio DJ Paulette, who over an auspicious career has DJd all over the world, notably Paris and Ibiza, in process twice winning MTV Dance Awards’ ‘Best DJette’ in the French and International Scene. The panel will once again be chaired by Louder Than Word’s Simon A. Morrison, ex-columnist for DJmagazine and editor of Ministry in Ibiza; author of books such as Discombobulated: Dispatches From The Wrong Side, and the upcoming Reaktion title Dancefloors: Revolutions of Club Culture. Now Programme Leader for the Music Journalism degree at the University of Chester, he has never been punched by Goldie (at least to his knowledge), but he did once go raving in Ibiza with Judith Chalmers. So, on Saturday night (when else) Louder Than Words moves to an altogether more electronic beat, in deciding whether there was ever a ‘politics of dancing’… or merely the ‘politics of oo oo oo feeling good’.
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
600-7.30pm
NAKED: A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, ART AND COLLABORATION Eleanor McEvoy & Chris Gollon with John Robb NAKED MUSIC is both the new album by Eleanor McEvoy (released 2016) and a new series of paintings by Chris Gollon interpreting the songs from it. In early 2015, Eleanor McEvoy purchased a painting by Chris Gollon: a female nude pouring champagne, entitled ‘Champagne Sheila’. The work began to inspire the concept for her forthcoming album ‘NAKED MUSIC’, which features many of her own latest compositions, but also some new songs co-written with Dave Rotheray (ex- The Beautiful South) and Lloyd Cole. “The first time I met Eleanor we immediately clicked artistically, albeit from a different art form. I was sent a demo for the new album, NAKED MUSIC, and invited to make one painting, perhaps for the front cover. Although the songs are written brilliantly from a woman’s point of view, when I began on the first painting I noticed that it was taking my work into an area I had never been before. A good example would be ‘The Thought of You’, the last track on the new album, where because of Eleanor’s expressive lyrics, I was able to actually understand how a woman longs for a man. A similar thing happened in all the songs, hence me ending up doing 25 paintings.” Chris Gollon. At Louder Than Words Eleanor will play a set within the exhibition, and may include a new composition inspired by the paintings, since this is an ongoing experiment in “boundary crossing” between the two artists. Although he has exhibited nationally and internationally in museums and cathedrals, this is also Chris Gollon’s first ever solo exhibition in Manchester, paintings that are all interpretations of Eleanor McEvoy’s songs. After the performance, both Eleanor McEvoy and Chris Gollon will be in conversation, followed by an open Q&A session. Opportunities to purchase related art and music will also be available.
THE PALACE HOTEL, MANCHESTER PALACE SUITE 4
12
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PROGRAMME:
6.00-7.15pm
PETE BROWN’S BEER & MUSIC MATCHING Pete Brown and a rage of ales and music! Pete joins us at Louder 2016 with a very special sensory tasting event (*ticket price includes all beer samples) Your ‘five senses’ are not what you think they are. Your brain is not being straight with you. And you can hear the difference between bitter and sour beers. A unique mix of beer, music, neuroscience and comedy, given a unique Manchester twist especially for Louder Than Words.
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
8.30pm
THUNDER: GIVING THE GAME AWAY In conversation with Joel McIver Thunder will launch the band’s first book “Giving The Game Away - The Thunder Story” at this very special and separately ticketed event Author Joel McIver will join the band, ask the questions and do his best to keep the proceedings on track. For their part, the band will discuss the book, explain 40 years of band history in 10 minutes, and play some acoustic versions of their songs. Afterwards, the band will mingle freely with attendees and sign copies of the book (which has pictures in it as well as words!). Thunder singer Danny Bowes says “Joel wrote the book after interviewing us and all our significant others. He deserves a medal, but instead his prize is to interview us all over again. We’ll burst into song when it looks like he needs a rest”. Please note • Merchandise signing will be restricted to copies of ‘Giving The Game Away – The Thunder Story’. • This is a separately ticketed event (Festival wristbands and day passes do not include access to this event) • Thank you in advance of your understanding.
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
PALACE SUITE 6
8.30-9.45pm
JOHN PEEL’S SHED John Osbourne In 2002, John Osborne won a competition on John Peel’s Radio 1 show. His prize was a box of records. This is an ode to radio, those records and anyone who’s ever sought solace in wireless. This show features a selection of records previously owned by the late John Peel. Many are very rare recordings by obscure and now defunct bands, and this is a unique opportunity for any Peel fan. A version of the show was recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre and broadcast on Radio 4 in December 2011. ‘If you ever need to explain radio’s sustained popularity to someone, suggest they listen to John Peel’s Shed’ - The Guardian.
PALACE SUITE 4
8.30-9.45pm
JUKE BOX FURY Richard Boon with Zoe Howe, John Robb, Dave Haslam and Matthew Collin Richard Boon’s ‘Juke Box Fury’ (a popular cult institution for years at its Stoke Newington Literary Festival home) returns to Louder Than Words Festival for a second year. Under the challenge and Chair of Richard Boon, four music writers play a tune of choice they allege inspired their writing. Presenting in turn, followed by discussion and debate, a vote is taken to determine ‘Hit or Miss.’ What’s not to like?
THE PALACE HOTEL, MANCHESTER PALACE SUITE 6
13
SUN
PROGRAMME:
10.00-1.30pm
WAR OF THE ROSES Louder Poetry Slam Welcome to Louder Than Wordsmith 2016! Our annual Poetry Slam is a collaboration between Louder Than Words and Wordsmith a community organisation primarily working with young people, poetry and their passions. Our slam theme this year is War Of The Roses: Rhymes Rhythm & Rebellion. On Offer is a feisty yet friendly slam pitting the White Rose of Abbey Grange High School, Leeds against the Red Rose of Burnage Academy Boys. Both schools will explore and express the music and poetry of rebellion. Young bards from Xaverian & Loreto 6th form colleges will also go head to head on the same theme. Prizes include books and goodies for the categories of – ‘best performance’ and ‘best stanza or line’ judged by our panel. Some of the stand out performances will feature on the Louder Than Words Festival website - http://www.louderthanwordsfest.com and the overall winner will be crowned Poet In Residence for the following year
PALACE SUITE 4
10.00-11.15pm
SLEEVE NOTES John Reed The humble and sometimes maligned Sleeve-Note. Our panel will chat about why liner notes are important, how and what do words contribute to reissues, compilations and box sets, etc. and arguing that essays or poignant personal statements provide essential colour, context and purpose to releases. But sadly, they don’t always live up to expectations! Meanwhile, Cherry Red Records are now working on an ambitious six-CD box set entitled Manchester North Of England, which will document the evolution of independent music out of the city from punk to the rise of Britpop. It’s being done in conjunction with MDMA. And the essays/notes are, surely, a vital facet – but what form should they take? The panel will discuss the alternatives, inviting opinions from the audience.
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
11.30-1.30pm
WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN: The music and politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
Daniel Rachel in conversation with Daryl Easlea PLUS a rare showing of the film ‘Days Like These’. In August 1976, Eric Clapton made an inflammatory speech in support of Enoch Powell and ‘black’ repatriation, sparking an anti-racism campaign that would soon radicalise an entire generation. The following sixteen years saw politics and pop music come together as never before to challenge racism, gender inequality and social and class divisions. For the first time in UK history, musicians became instigators of social change; and their political persuasion as important as the songs they sang. In this special in conversation, Daniel will take the audience through a visual tour of the voices of campaigners, musicians, artists and politicians, charting this extraordinary and pivotal period between 1976 and 1992, following the rise and fall of three key movements of the time: Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone, and Red Wedge, revealing how they both shaped, and were shaped by, the music of a generation. The session will also include a screening of ‘Days Like These’ a rare film that hasn’t been screened in full since 1986. Capturing the national tour of that year, the film features Billy Bragg, Madness, Paul Weller, Junior, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Rhoda Dakar, Johnny Marr, Tom Robinson and others. Talk about pertinent! Talk about relevant! A perfect contribution to our Festival roster…
PALACE SUITE 4
12.00-1.15pm
COBAIN ON COBAIN AND NIRVANA Nick Soulsby In conversation with John Robb “Why Don’t You Trade Those Guitars for Shovels?”... A defiant gesture scratched into the vinyl of Nirvana’s first 7” Love Buzz – a relative’s dismissive quip in response to their creative pretensions. In 1987, Kurt Cobain was a semi-homeless 20 year old who couldn’t hold down a janitor position; Krist Novoselic flipped burgers and painted houses. By 1994, they had joined rock’s immortals. Author Nick Soulsby has spent four years writing about Nirvana’s wild ride, wrestling with whether there’s anything left to say about Kurt Cobain and his band. His latest publication ‘Cobain on Cobain’ is the most comprehensive compendium of interviews with the band ever released. The interviews start
THE PALACE HOTEL, MANCHESTER
13
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PROGRAMME:
from the release of their first album, Bleach to the band’s collapse on their 1994 European tour followed shortly by Cobain’s suicide. We’re delighted and privileged to welcome Nick to the festival roster. A respected chronicler of all things Nirvana, Nick will be in conversation with Louder’s John Robb, celebrating the lives and creative contributions of this seminal group, incorporating never been heard before interviews, insights and insider reflections and contemplating whether writing about others is a creative act or an exploitative one - all this 25 years since the release of Nevermind. A treat in store for sure!
PALACE SUITE 6
1.45-2.15pm
RECOVERY SONGS Ralph Dartford Ralph Dartford writes and performs narrative poems from the heart. Sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet, sometimes as sad as a lost dog. Ralph’s new poetic project, ’Recovery Songs’ is an exploration into transformation. Each poem is inspired by a specific piece of music that has had a profound effect on his life. From Joni Mitchell to the Hot 8 Brass Band, and from The Clash to Judy Garland and The Jam. These poems will make you think about what poetry actually is. You may even start writing yourself!
PALACE SUITE 4
2.00-3.15pm
DO IT TOGETHER UnConvention host a panel on collaborations at home and abroad Joining the Louder Than Words programme for the third year running, UNCONVENTION will be exploring something particularly close to its heart at this year’s event – COLLABORATION. Since its inception Un-Convention has followed the ethos of ‘Do It Together’,
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
and the belief that working in partnership with other artists, creatives and organisations will inevitably produce something greater than the sum of its parts. This panel will look at how successful local, national and international creative collaborations have come together; and how sharing knowledge, bouncing ideas around, collective action and strength in numbers may be the key to success. We’ll also take the opportunity to explore how we can all start collaborating more.
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
2.00-3.15pm
OPEN DOOR, OPEN HEART Penny Rimbaud In conversation with John Robb In ‘OPEN DOOR, OPEN HEART’ Penny Rimbaud and John Robb discuss the meaning of peace and love in a world which might so easily appear to practice the opposite - ‘THERE IS LOVE IF WE MAKE IT’ CRASS founding member Penny Rimbaud has been writing poetry, song lyrics, philosophy and memoirs for over 50 years. A drummer, performance artist, environmental activist and phlosopher, he claims “breadmaker” as his most prevailing occupation. Rimbaud and Crass’s lasting influence on youth culture are a testament to the original importance of their words and deeds. Having formed a collective in 1967 to live outside of the status quo, Penny Rimbaud continues to inspire new generations of artistic rebels. Highly regarded as one of England’s great rebel poets, Penny Rimbaud is a prolific author and fearless explorer of possibilities in life and art. Over the three decades since Crass disbanded he has been involved in a myriad of arts projects, published over 14 books, and released vast ranging music including free form jazz, spoken word and symphonic punk. An undoubted festival highlight, join us for this very special event!
THE PALACE HOTEL, MANCHESTER PALACE SUITE 6
13
SUN
PROGRAMME:
3.45-5.00pm
AREN’T WE ALL JUST PUPPETS REALLY? Steve Ignorant and CP Lee in conversation In this very special event, two great friends of Louder Than Words Fest STEVE IGNORANT and CP LEE get together in conversation, considering the theme ‘Aren’t we all just puppets really?’. Drawing on their diverse and personal experiences of life and performance as well as their shared wider interest in music hall, Steve and CP will take us on a journey across some surprising artistic endeavours, including some that involve violence and sausages and others that involve the police and crocodiles. Make sure you join us - you’ll be pleased as Punch!
DIRECTOR’S SUITE
4.00-5.15pm
ELECTRI-CITY: THE DUSSELDORF SCHOOL OF ELECTRONIC SOUND Wolfgang Flur & Rudi Esch in conversation In this special event, we’ll be exploring the rise and legacy of electronic music, including from the perspective of those who were there, those who were instrumental in its development and those who continue to be involved in its continuing contribution to contemporary culture. RUDI ESCH (born August 1966, Düsseldorf) has played an active part in the Düsseldorf music scene for more than thirty years. In 1987 he formed a band together with Klaus Dinger, formerly the front man with NEU! and La Dusseldorf. Since 1988 Esch has played bass guitar for electronic rock band Die Krupps. He works as an author and music consultant and put out the oral account of Düsseldorfs most influential bands, including Kraftwerk, NEU!, DAF, Die Krupps and many more. ELECTRI_CITY uncovers the myths and reality of the bands emerging from the artistic backdrop of a wealthy west-German post-modern city. Just like Memphis and Rock’n’Roll, Düsseldorf is regarded as the Mecca for electronic music WOLFGANG FLUR (born 17 July 1947) is a German musician, best known as a member of the electronic band Kraftwerk from 1973 to 1987, playing electronic
* All sessions will be accompanied by the opportunity to purchase relevant books, meet the authors and signings in the Post Room - see inside back cover for details
percussion. Flür also wrote his autobiography “Ich war ein Roboter” (English version: I Was a Robot), published in 2000. The autobiography includes his youth, early career as a musician, and his activity within Kraftwerk. Wolfgang Flur’s current stage performances show videos and rare images from his Kraftwerk years. Wolfgang sees himself as a music presenter with historical electronic background. Having written the foreword to Rudi Esch’s ELECTRI_CITY book, Wolfgang accompanies Rudi on readings throughout the UK to show videos and present the oral history of their hometown.
PALACE SUITE 4
4.00-5.15pm
DETROIT 67: THE YEAR THAT CHANGED SOUL & YOUNG SOUL REBELS Stuart Cosgrove Join Stuart Cosgrove as he discusses Detroit 67- the story of Motor City in the year that changed everything. Cosgrove takes you on a turbulent year-long journey through the drama and chaos that ripped through the city in 1967. It is the story of Motown, the break-up of The Supremes and the damaging disputes at the heart of the most successful African-American music label ever. Continuing his love of soul Cosgrove will also discuss Young Soul Rebels, his compelling and intimate story of northern soul. From the iconic clubs that made it famous – The Twisted Wheel, Wigan Casino, Blackpool Mecca, to the bootleggers, amphetamines and the rise of Thatcherism.
THE PALACE HOTEL, MANCHESTER
15
AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING SESSIONS AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING SESSIONS Friday Evening: All in The Director’s Suite: Brix smith Start, Derek Ridgers, Mick Middles, David Nolan
Saturday – Post Room 11.45am
Lucy O’Brien, Martin James & Simon Morrison
1.15pm
Michael Spencer Jones
1.30pm
Woody Woodmansey
3.15pm
Funky Si Wolstencroft & Mike Barrett
3.30pm
Kristin Hersh, Daryl Easlea & Patrick Humphries
5.15pm
Barney Hoskyns
5.30pm
Zoe Howe & Jane Bradley
7.15pm
Simon Morrison, Matthew Collin, Martin James
7.30pm
Pete Brown
7.45pm
Eleanor McEvoy & Chris Gollon
Saturday – Palace 6 9.45pm
John Osborne
Saturday – Palace 4 9.45pm
Matthew Colin, Dave Haslam, John Robb & Richard Boon
Sunday – Post Room 1.30pm
Daniel Rachel, Daryl Easlea & Nick Soulsby
2.15pm Ralph Dartford 3.30pm Penny Rimbaud & John Robb 5pm Steve Ignorant 5.15pm Stuart Cosgrove
Sunday – Director’s Suite 5.15pm
Rudi Esch & Wolfgang Flur
SUN
PROGRAMME:
Manchester District Music Archive is an online community archive established in 2003 to celebrate Greater Manchester music and its social history. We are a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers. Our archive contains thousands of artefacts such as flyers, posters, photos, press articles and videos uploaded by the general public. We also curate temporary physical exhibitions in pop-up spaces and well-known venues. We host events, provide information and training, and promote the unsung stories of Manchester music through community outreach work. If you have any Manchester music artefacts you’d like to share, please visit:
www.mdmarchive.co.uk
A deranged Gonzo romp through the finest clubs and gutters of the planet... The mantra of journalist Simon A. Morrison is “Order more booze. Dig in and brace yourself.� Travel with him now to Las Vegas and then Moscow, New York, Shanghai and Stockport. Discombobulated. Disco bonkers. Fifty unbelievably true tales of high living and absolute slumming. Discombobulated: Dispatches from the Wrong Side by Simon A. Morrison. ISBN 978-1-900486-73-6 Published by Headpress. www.headpress.com
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Louder than Words Festival We look forward to seeing you there
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