25 - Joy Division in Walthamstow, East London

Music Maps - The Rock n Roll Book Club Podcast

Join us to take a deep dive into the little known history of Joy Division right here on our home turf in Walthamstow, East London. Find out from a first hand source how the band came to play 2 gigs here in 1979 - how it came about, how many people were there, what happened & more.

Joy Division's first trip to London had been in late 1978 when they played the Hope & Anchor in Islington just after Christmas, at that gig they met some punks from Walthamstow & later come to play 2 shows at the now demolished youth centre on Markhouse Road. About a week later the now iconic bridge photo was taken of Joy Division by Kevin Cummins.

Following their debut release the Factory Sample, on March 30th 1979 Joy Division play their first gig in E17, after which the band stayed at a house on The Crescent here in Walthamstow lying on mattresses in the living room.

Hear about some recently uncovered photos from this stay in E17 as well as the conjecture over whether the band stayed or not as they entered Strawberry Studios in Stockport the very next day to begin recording the Unknown Pleasures album with Martin Hannett.

We will tell you about some of the mysteries surrounding the 2nd gig as the date is officially unknown & little remains in terms of advertising, promotion, setlist or bootleg recordings.

Also hear about how Ian Curtis's legendary Mac featured in several iconic photos ended up in a charity shop here in Walthamstow.

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited by Andy Maxwell

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