Mancky

Way back in June 1987, New Order did a gig at The Hacienda to raise money for the club. The ticket price was relatively high (about £10 I think) and I decided not to go on account of their lack-lustre performance at GMEX the year before. There was a general feeling at the time that they were taking the piss.

On the day of the gig, I was taking photographs and drawing by the Rochdale Canal, and I heard them rehearsing inside The Hacienda. It sounded like most of the music was pre-recorded because when it stopped and started it seemed to happen all at once, like a tape being switched on and off.

I heard Shellshock that day, and Bizarre Love Triangle, which is still one of my favourites; the wistful vocals and bass work so well against the up-beat, pure-pop, electronic back-drop.

Every time I think of you
I feel shot right through with a bolt of blue

But that’s the way that it goes
And it’s what nobody knows
And every day my confusion grows