Factory Night (Again) @ Plan K, Brussels, Saturday 15th December — Forum Archive

22 Aug 2007, 03:20

Section 25 Kevin Hewick The Names Crispy Ambulance Martin Moscrop (Afterparty DJ Set)

What more does anyone need?

Just set this thread up to avoid any possible confusion with the now cancelled Amsterdam gig.

Gig details....

Plan K hasn't hosted gigs for c.20 years but it was a landmark site from the original Factory (& many other UK indie labels) excursions into mainland Europe. Orange Juice's one and only overseas gig was at Plan K. Gigs often arranged by one Anik Honore which led to a liason with the singer of some English outfit.

Consequently this is somewhat of a nostalgia fest and gratitude is shown to the promoter Frederic Cotton for possessing the desire and willing to bring this era back to life.

Have booked Eurostar, hotel and gig ticket all for under £100 in the last 24 hours, so this pre-xmas weekender is not gonna blow the bank.

23 Aug 2007, 11:58

Thank you Johnny Giles ! :bow: I'm finally here :clap:

26 Aug 2007, 11:39

Thanls JG.

If I could be anywhere on December 15th it would be at the Plan k. This looks unmissable but I doubt that I can get over there :cry:

29 Aug 2007, 03:57

Tickets are now available everywhere:

Brussels Caroline Music

Belgium FNAC Night & Day Shops

France FNAC

All countries http://www.ticketnet.be http://www.francebillet.com

29 Aug 2007, 05:13

And delivery is extremely quick, mine arrived last week, only two days after I ordered it!

29 Aug 2007, 07:46

Lordsy, Astrid, Trigan, Verena, Ceremony, Danny GO and me will be there, too.

29 Aug 2007, 08:55

:beer:

29 Aug 2007, 10:46

oldmonkey wrote:

:beer: Nice to meet you then, Tim.

29 Aug 2007, 11:16

Great news ! Peter Hook will be DJing during the afterparty, along with Martin Moscrop !

More exciting news to come...

29 Aug 2007, 11:17

Fred wrote: Great news ! Peter Hook will be DJing during the afterparty, along with Martin Moscrop !

More exciting news to come...

Good job we've got a cheap hotel, we might not need it! :p

:smoking:

29 Aug 2007, 11:22

:crazy: :D

29 Aug 2007, 12:30

fuck 24 hour party people....this is 48 hour party vikings!

:viking:

30 Aug 2007, 01:16

confusion wrote: Lordsy, Astrid, Trigan, Verena, Ceremony, Danny GO and me will be there, too.

Will Danny's Mrs stop him going at the last minute though? :skeptic: :lol:

Good news about Hooky, mind.

Been wondering why ACR aren't playing this though? And it's just Moscrop dj'ing? Thought this would be the perfect vehicle for them.

30 Aug 2007, 02:52

El Jarvo wrote:

confusion wrote: Lordsy, Astrid, Trigan, Verena, Ceremony, Danny GO and me will be there, too.

Will Danny's Mrs stop him going at the last minute though?

It's hard work to do every evening the same. A change would do surely good.

30 Aug 2007, 03:25

El Jarvo wrote: Been wondering why ACR aren't playing this though? And it's just Moscrop dj'ing? Thought this would be the perfect vehicle for them.

I don't really know. We proposed ACR and Durutti Column to take part to the event but unfortunately, it wasn't possible. Nevertheless, the programme is more than exciting to me. Yes, Martin Moscrop should just DJ during the afterparty... But surprises are possible...

30 Aug 2007, 05:22

Fred wrote:

El Jarvo wrote: Been wondering why ACR aren't playing this though? And it's just Moscrop dj'ing? Thought this would be the perfect vehicle for them.

I don't really know. We proposed ACR and Durutti Column to take part to the event but unfortunately, it wasn't possible. Nevertheless, the programme is more than exciting to me. Yes, Martin Moscrop should just DJ during the afterparty... But surprises are possible...

The rest of ACR have probably got their office Xmas parties that night? :eek3: :evil4:

30 Aug 2007, 10:27

It's official. I'm easily led and have no will power whatsoever. :nonono:

30 Aug 2007, 11:48

What a perfect bill. I wish I could go.

ACR would've been nice, but their lineup is so different now I'd have a hard time imagining them doing a "nostalgia" gig like this. Hell, Simon doesn't even sing anymore.

31 Aug 2007, 01:47

Mr disco 99 wrote: What a perfect bill. I wish I could go.

ACR would've been nice, but their lineup is so different now I'd have a hard time imagining them doing a "nostalgia" gig like this. Hell, Simon doesn't even sing anymore.

ACR have actually had the same line-up since perhaps 1985?

They're more consistent than most!

Last major player to leave was Connell, for Swing Out Sister. Topping was gone way, way before that.

We were chatting to Tony Quigley in Paris last year and he still called Liam the 'new boy' - he's been in the band 20 years now! :lol:

31 Aug 2007, 08:28

El Jarvo wrote:

Mr disco 99 wrote: What a perfect bill. I wish I could go.

ACR would've been nice, but their lineup is so different now I'd have a hard time imagining them doing a "nostalgia" gig like this. Hell, Simon doesn't even sing anymore.

ACR have actually had the same line-up since perhaps 1985?

They're more consistent than most!

Last major player to leave was Connell, for Swing Out Sister. Topping was gone way, way before that.

We were chatting to Tony Quigley in Paris last year and he still called Liam the 'new boy' - he's been in the band 20 years now!

Well, yeah, but I think you get what I mean. We're talking about Factory bands that played in Belgium back in 1979-80.

The current Crispy Ambulance could play "Are You Ready" and get away with it. Section25 doing "New Horizon" I can see as well (though I have a hard time imagining them doing "Looking from a Hilltiop", and yes I know it's in their current sets). But the current ACR doing "All Night Party"? Not so much. They're just not the same band.

That said, I'd love to fly to Brussels for this gig... but I blew all my money on piss-ups in Brazil last year.

31 Aug 2007, 20:51

For anyone who doesn't fancy/cannot afford this, i have spares for the Chemical Bros on the same night in Brixton. (PM if interested)

1 Sep 2007, 01:56

oldmonkey wrote: And delivery is extremely quick, mine arrived last week, only two days after I ordered it!

Same for the delivery to Germany.

1 Sep 2007, 05:30

Great !

As you can see, the Plan K is located at the Manchester street. Quite amazing...

Moreover, the Plan K is an ancient Factory...

1 Sep 2007, 05:35

@Confusion: On your forum, I could see some people asking about the afterparty. People having a concert ticket have nothing to pay. The fee of 10€ is for people who come for the party only (starting around midnight).

1 Sep 2007, 08:35

Fred wrote: @Confusion: On your forum, I could see some people asking about the afterparty. People having a concert ticket have nothing to pay. The fee of 10€ is for people who come for the party only (starting around midnight).

Thx for the info, Fred. I will post it there.

2 Sep 2007, 13:51

I may head down to Brussels for the weekend :shades:

3 Sep 2007, 14:23

Fred wrote: Great !

As you can see, the Plan K is located at the Manchester street. Quite amazing...

Moreover, the Plan K is an ancient Factory...

Manchester street indeed... Not to be confused with Liverpool street which is just across the canal !

:crazy:

Are you sure there isn't a bus stop called 'Wilson' around the corner, Fred?

4 Sep 2007, 00:15

Booked tickets

Will plan how to get there closer to the time.

How easy is it to get from Paris to Brussels? I can fly straight there from Aberdeen.

Or mebbe get the party started early by joining the Larndon Ordah the day before.

(If we've not all fallen out over badges by then!)

:laugh:

4 Sep 2007, 01:09

plusminuszero wrote: Are you sure there isn't a bus stop called 'Wilson' around the corner, Fred?

I'm not :) It might be a suggestion for the Molenbeek's mayor :idea:

4 Sep 2007, 01:13

BIGINOIL wrote: Booked tickets

Will plan how to get there closer to the time.

How easy is it to get from Paris to Brussels? I can fly straight there from Aberdeen.

Very easy. It takes 1h20 from Paris Nord to Brussels Midi/Zuid with the Thalys train.

4 Sep 2007, 12:07

I am in. Going to do Re:Order night before, my pre-Christmas do.

Might get me out of the works do too!!!

:xmas:

4 Sep 2007, 12:07

I am in. Going to do Re:Order night before, my pre-Christmas do.

Might get me out of the works do too!!!

:xmas:

9 Sep 2007, 05:43

hopefully b there so be aware,b very aware,mad welsh man in the house.jarvis tours doing the bizzo 4me. :scratch:

9 Sep 2007, 06:06

:laugh:

Hooray, but it's not like we'll see you anyway!

9 Sep 2007, 06:28

'WELSHCAKE' wrote: hopefully b there so be aware,b very aware,mad welsh man in the house.jarvis tours doing the bizzo 4me.

All signed and sealed, young man.

Yachi da, drewgi siffilitig!

9 Sep 2007, 23:50

'WELSHCAKE' wrote: hopefully b there so be aware,b very aware,mad welsh man in the house.jarvis tours doing the bizzo 4me.

Fine, but do you do a new dance then?

12 Sep 2007, 15:13

no worries nobby got a new shuffle sorted,maybe you'd like to join me on the dance floor,i prefer the street though....as you already know :crazy:

6 Oct 2007, 11:05

For people who would like to help us to promote the event, a flash banner can be downloaded here. (right click, save as...)

http://www.lefantastique.net/factory/files/factorynight.swf

10 Oct 2007, 05:37

Le Syndrome Mensuel is a program on an independent French radio station. It is a partner of the Factory Night. Last week, they had a Joy Division special program.

It can be listened here: http://lesyndrome.free.fr/French/Ecoutez-nous.html

Playlist: DAVID BOWIE : Warszawa (Low / Emi) SEX PISTOLS : Pretty Vacant (live) (Compilation Punk, A World History Vol.1 / Spv) THE CLASH : White Riot (B.O. The Future Is Unwritten, Joe Strummer / Legacy) BUZZCOCKS : Oh Shit ! (Going Steady, Singles / Emi) WARSAW : Failures (Heart & Soul / London Records) WARSAW : The drawback (Heart & Soul / London Records) WARSAW : No Love Lost (Warsaw/MPG) JOY DIVISION : Digital (Substance / CentreDate) JOY DIVISION : Disorder (Heart & Soul / London Records ) JOY DIVISION : Shadowplay (version demo) (Heart & Soul / London Records) JOY DIVISION : Transmission (Cast Version) (Music from the motion picture Control / Warner) JOY DIVISION : She’s lost control (Substance / CentreDate) JOY DIVISION : Insight (Heart & Soul / London Records ) JOY DIVISION : Love will tear us apart (Peel Session) (Heart & Soul / London Records) JOY DIVISION : These days (Substance / CentreDate) JOY DIVISION : A means to an end (Heart & Soul / London Records) JOY DIVISION : Isolation (Live) (Heart & Soul / London Records) JOY DIVISION : Twenty Four Hours (Heart & Soul / London Records) JOY DIVISION : Atmosphere (Chance) Inédit (Heart & Soul / London Records) JOY DIVISION : The sound of music (Heart & Soul / London Records) MOBY : New Dawn Fades (I Like To Score, Music From Films Vol.1 / Mute) NINE INCH NAILS : Dead Souls (B.O. The Crow / Atlantic) NEW ORDER : Ceremony (New Order International, Best Of / London) PSYCHIC TV : I.C. Water (Towards The Infinite Beat / Wax Trax) CRISPY AMBULANCE : The Presence (Live On A Hot August Night / Factory Benelux) FRUSTRATION : Your Body (Ep Full Of Sorrow / Born Bad) DRAGONS : Condition (Ep Conditions + Failure / Differ-Ant) 10 000 THINGS : Damaged Goods (Gang of Four Cover) MINIMAL COMPACT : Disguise (Returning Wheel / Crammed) STRANGLERS : La Folie (La Folie / Emi) NEW ORDER : Get Out (Music from the motion picture Control / Warner)

The program of the 7th December will be a Factory Night special and will be listenable here: http://coma.electrique.free.fr/

2 Nov 2007, 00:31

Fotoreportage23 - In Search of Ian Curtis is a new book out on 7 December 2007 by Katka Ruge. A photographic mapping of the places in the story of Joy Division and their singer Ian Curtis and the space he left behind. With contributions from people who knew him, worked with him, or were just inspired by him and the music the band created. Pictures by Katja Ruge and words from, amongst others: Peter Saville, Mark E. Smith, Jarvis Cocker, Phoenix, The Rapture, Karl Bartos, Genesis P. Orridge, Annik Honore, Lindsay Reade, Maximo Park, Terry Mason, Bloc Party, Jose Gonzalez, Nouvelle Vague, Mogwai, Johnny Marr, She Wants Revenge, Anja Huwe (Xmal Deutschland), Karl Hyde / Underworld and the late Tony Wilson.

The book is dedicated to Anthony H. Wilson and Katja, who was once photographic assisntant to Peter Walsh, will be exhibiting the photos at A Factory Night (Once Again) in Brussells, Belgium on 15 December 2007.

--

Fotoreportage23 - In Search of Ian Curtis Language: English 144 pages 76 photos and text Published by http://www.monitorpop.de Publication date: 7 December 2007 Cover photo © Mark Reeder http://www.myspace.com/fotoreportage23

25 Nov 2007, 06:04

Red Zebra is a famous Belgian punk-band founded in Bruges in 1978. One of their main influence was... Joy Division. Today, they still cover 'Transmission' in concert. Following the release of Anton Corbijn's 'Control', Red Zebra's members have collected Joy Division & New Order rare objects and have exhibited them in Bruges library. This collection will be moved to Plan K for the Factory Night.

25 Nov 2007, 08:27

I'll be there as well

27 Nov 2007, 01:42

The radio teaser can be heard here: http://www.lefantastique.net/factory/files/c21.mp3

4 Dec 2007, 13:47

So, have the organisers made any attempts to secure the rights for showing the recently surfaced footage of Joy Division's first performance at Plan K? Shirley, this would be an excellent occasion.

4 Dec 2007, 15:25

If anyone wants a couple of tickets to the Brussels night PM me NOW.

You can have them for nowt, but hurry up, you're fighting the Christmas post.

Actually, there might be four on the go - I don't think Roys is gonna make it either.

5 Dec 2007, 02:36

littleboylost wrote: So, have the organisers made any attempts to secure the rights for showing the recently surfaced footage of Joy Division's first performance at Plan K? Shirley, this would be an excellent occasion.

I've been in touch with Tom Atencio. It was indeed a good opportunity but we couldn't make it in the end. Anyway, we had no real time slot to screen the documentary. Doing it in a theatre would have been a solution but I had no time to take care of it...

10 Dec 2007, 06:21

So who's making the short longboat trip to Bruxelles then?

11 Dec 2007, 02:34

oldmonkey wrote: So who's making the short longboat trip to Bruxelles then?

Danny, Anja, Bernd, Matthias, Christian, Toni, Bodo, Verena, Gordie and Me.

11 Dec 2007, 03:00

La Premiere, the main french-speaking belgian radio broadcasts a 5-days documentary about Factory with interview of Michel Duval (Fac Benelux / Crepuscule), Michel Sordinia (The Names), Geoffroy Klompkes (journalist), and myself (...).

You can listen to the first day here (jump directly to 775s): http://www.rtbf.be/podcast/montrev2/index.htm?key=LP-NES&chaine=lapremiere

The rest should follow the next days.

11 Dec 2007, 03:10

Fred wrote: Geoffroy Klompkes (journalist)

Buster Klumpy! He used to post here. Wondered what became of him!

11 Dec 2007, 05:00

oldmonkey wrote: So who's making the short longboat trip to Bruxelles then?

Well, me, but you knew that anyway! :)

:smoking:

11 Dec 2007, 05:28

Is DoN still alive :confused2:

11 Dec 2007, 06:11

LeggyD wrote: Is DoN still alive

I've read somewhere, he trapped you in a toilet for four days or so. :D

11 Dec 2007, 06:23

LeggyD wrote: Is DoN still alive

He was alive first thing this morning, but has since clammed up after rumours of a certain spit-roasting incident were circulated once again! :lol:

11 Dec 2007, 13:36

Oh dear.

Who circulated THEM?

12 Dec 2007, 07:22

If anyone needs one ticket and/or a bed in a twin room in a ***-Hotel (28 Euro) with breakfast near the venue, drop me a mail!

16 Dec 2007, 01:44

Some good texts from our men in Brussels last night.

Section 25 did a good version of No Love Lost, and Hooky joined then on Bass for Temptation.

16 Dec 2007, 04:56

BIGINOIL wrote: Some good texts from our men in Brussels last night.

Section 25 did a good version of No Love Lost, and Hooky joined then on Bass for Temptation.

A great night indeed !

Saw someone with a "Confusion" and "kNOledge destroyed" shirt. I suppose that was you, confusion ?

I think I have spotted TJ as well, up front during Crispy Ambulance.

16 Dec 2007, 07:59

A superb night! Great to meet up again with the English guys (Al, Don, Tim, JG & others) and meeting some new faces. The place was packed when Hooky did his set. Quality when the man put on his bass & did Temptation 'S25'stylee!!

16 Dec 2007, 09:01

Fantastic night, up there with the very best Viking invasions. Really great to go to such a legendary venue, even if it was waaay too packed. Managed to tape Crispy Ambulance and the first half of Section 25's set, then the batteries failed just before No Love Lost, and obviously I wasn't able to tape Temptation. Quality ;) DJ set from the Hookstar, the usual mix of banging tunes and catastrophic mixing, but we all had a good laugh. Top Viking turnout as usual, the guys were all in good form, and it was great to meet up with Bundesorder, Jan (many thanks for the lift!) and Mario again.

:beer:

16 Dec 2007, 09:09

Personal highlight was when this guy came up to me and said "hope you have a good gig tonight". I looked quizzically at him, and he said "you are the singer of Crispy Ambulance, aren't you?". Oh the irony, being mistaken for an Ian Curtis impersonator :rofl:

16 Dec 2007, 09:56

Great weekend all round (re-order/Brussels) - now need to try and recover from those and this damn cold... :\ohwell:

I must say there were a LOT more people at Plan K than I thought there was - jam packed, and nigh-on impossible to move within the venue... Also, it was bloomin' sweltering - had to keep going out to cool down...

If it happens again, could you turn on the air conditioning/open some doors? Ta.. :)

:smoking:

16 Dec 2007, 10:04

Nick King wrote: Also, it was bloomin' sweltering - had to keep going out to cool down...

Not for a cigarette then :laugh:

Sounds like a great night

16 Dec 2007, 11:16

Really excellent - an atmospheric and historic venue, great 'side projects' such as Red Zebra's collection of rareties (what was that 'Disorder' flag?) and the exhibits of photos from the Fotoreportage Ian Curtis book and from Phillippe Carly, nice beer. Top sets from all performers, too.

16 Dec 2007, 12:11

Missy Jem wrote:

Nick King wrote: Also, it was bloomin' sweltering - had to keep going out to cool down...

Not for a cigarette then

Sounds like a great night

Well, there was that excuse too! :lol: :smoking:

17 Dec 2007, 01:39

We had a lot of fun. It was nice to see the well known faces, again, and new faces, too. Superb night!

mrgreen71 wrote:

BIGINOIL wrote: Some good texts from our men in Brussels last night.

Section 25 did a good version of No Love Lost, and Hooky joined then on Bass for Temptation.

A great night indeed !

Saw someone with a "Confusion" and "kNOledge destroyed" shirt. I suppose that was you, confusion ?

Yes, it was me.

17 Dec 2007, 02:22

Great gig.

Totally amazed at how many people showed up for this. Fred promoted this superbly. The place was completely mobbed, uncomfortably so at times. Was like a gig for a band about to break through, a real event. Would like to know how many tickets were sold. You wouldn't see half that number of punters turn up for a gig like this in London.

Mooching around Plan K, it was easy to feel like you were attending some international music convention. Alongside Die Bundes Order and huge local Belgian interest (our old mate Thierry Martens) we met Gilles from France (last seen at the Paris ACR gig) and Mario of the Netherlands, so Benelux well represented off stage and on. Hans of Koln (big ACR nut) was also seen loitering around and Manc Berliner Mark Reeder (Shark Vegas) was in das haus.

The numbers were probably at their peak during The Names. It had thinned out a little by the time Hooky came on but there was still a big crowd there. Poor old Martin Moscrop came on after Hooky, around 2am, and people were streaming out of the place.

During The Names set it was so stifling we left the venue and found a local boozer for a bit of R&R. Needed a break from the heat and overcrowding of the place. Returned in time to see Section 25s set and Hooky DJ all his usual faves to leave the crowd too exhausted to appreciate the more esoteric angle of Moscrop's tastes.

The evenings highlights included Hooky playing Temptation with Section 25, chatting with Kevin Hewick "so you're The Vikings?!", members of Section 25 and Crispy Ambulance and finally meeting Annik Honore.

17 Dec 2007, 04:12

Thanks everyone for coming !

Initially, we expected about 500 visitors but we finally had about 1500 ! (not at the same time: about 300-400 came for the afterparty only). Sadly, we had to refuse many people but it was too hard when they were from the South of France or Italy...

People came from all over Europe and even from USA. We made a lot of promo in Belgium and had very good reactions in the media.

It's the greatest event I've promoted so far (at least the most important to me) and it was so great to meet all these artists I admire and listen to for so many years.

My only regret is that I had not the time nor the opportunity to meet any of the Vikings :shrug:

For good quality recordings, wait for the release of the forthcoming DVD by LTM :)

I'm totally exhausted but happy and almost ready to do it again next year...

17 Dec 2007, 04:44

17 Dec 2007, 05:48

Johnny Giles wrote: Poor old Martin Moscrop came on after Hooky, around 2am, and people were streaming out of the place.

2am GMT. :shades:

It was 3am local time when Hooky finished!

Absolute blinder of a night. Very well put together and extremely well attended. Let's face it, if that kind of event had been staged on this side of the channel we'd have been lucky with a quarter of those numbers. Very impressive.

Hilite has to be Hooky on Temptation, natch. We'd given Hewick the benefit of the doubt (he played Haystack!) and then saw the temperature rise for Crispy Ambulance but a dozen of us then fuct off to a boozer up the road for the Names and didn't slope back till midway through Section XXV in time for No Love Lost.

Hooky started his DJ set slowly (Cap'n & Tenile then Grace Jones anyone?) and then got his dancehead on for a bit but it was the guitar classics the majority of the audience wanted most: lots of New Order, natch, Joy Division, Pistols, Clash, Killers (tsk!), Libertines, etc.

Great to see everyone again: especailly the GO! Team and all the Benelux Boys (Jan, Mario, Thierry).

17 Dec 2007, 13:04

Here's hooky with section 25, short clip.

18 Dec 2007, 06:19

Looks like a good time was had by all. Still gutted I couldnae afford it and even more jealous when all the texts came through about No Love Lost / Temptation and various Vikings bumping into Annik.

Maybe the next time

:viking:

19 Dec 2007, 03:25

Hooky backstage with Martin Moscrop and Roger and Larry from Section 25 :)

19 Dec 2007, 07:41

No Love Lost and Temptation can be downloaded here: http://www.section25.co.uk/downloads.php

22 Dec 2007, 01:20

A nice gallery: http://www.allnighters.net/gallery/thumbs/C210/

22 Dec 2007, 16:54

Nice photos - plenty of Vikings in those photos!

:smoking:

23 Dec 2007, 08:46

Nick King wrote: Nice photos - plenty of Vikings in those photos!

Bottom right hand corner of image 11

23 Dec 2007, 08:47

No picture of "The Driver" though :cry:

:car:

23 Dec 2007, 09:27

LeggyD wrote:

Nick King wrote: Nice photos - plenty of Vikings in those photos!

Bottom right hand corner of image 11

At least they got your face in!

They got my best side - back of my head!!!

These are the best foties though -

Gordie (with Peter Saville!!!)

And Bernd, just as I remembered him all night long!!!

Tim and Don seem to be in the back of every other pic too!!!

23 Dec 2007, 09:32

Looks like I forgot which way to face on pic 7 on page 2.....

23 Dec 2007, 09:59

I'm in this one (near Norbert):

:smoking:

.

23 Dec 2007, 10:02

oldmonkey wrote: Looks like I forgot which way to face on pic 7 on page 2.....

Oh yeah! :lol:

:smoking:

.

23 Dec 2007, 10:14

Garrity made the trip over then?

23 Dec 2007, 10:17

johnny wrote: Garrity made the trip over then?

Looks like it - must have missed him! :rofl:

:smoking:

23 Dec 2007, 10:21

23 Dec 2007, 15:33

New galleries online ! http://www.lefantastique.net/factory/pics.htm

24 Dec 2007, 05:04

A loooong blog covering the events of the weekend is now up on the Vikings Myspace page, written by Mr Kevin Hewick!....

Plan K blog by Kevin Hewick

30 Dec 2007, 06:08

Further blog by Ian Butterworth of Section 25 (ex Tunnelvision).

PLAN K - Brussels - Belgium, 15/12/07

Heading off from Blackpool in our 16-seater bus, our journey took a short break when we stopped off at Alan Hempsall's gaff to pick up the Crispie's and then we continued our traipse down this Isle's motorways to catch the ferry from Dover......Stopping off at Watford Gap to pick up Leicester's very own Kevin Hewick....Everybody got on well and as in most of the Ealing comedies,the miles just flew by.....

Upon arriving in Calais we found our 'Travel-Lodge' and after sussing out the mysterious two,(or was it three bed?) chalets we encamped n the hotel bar to sample some damn fine 'Xmas Beer'....That subsequently ran out after an hour or so....Oh well,onto the next brew...and the next.....ad infinitum...*hic!*

The next afternoon we rendezvous with Fred Cotton,one of the main organisers of the Factory Night,and head off toward Brussels and Plan K....It is ruddy cold by the way....

We arrive at the venue and it is mightily impressive....It hasn't seen a gig since 1984,so we better do it justice....

The Names are playing as we walk in, and later we all get a reasonable amount of time for our own individual soundchecks.....The Names guitarist kindly lends me and Crispy Ambulance's Rob their guitar amp as the one supplied is an olde Fender Twin with no gain/distortion....Thanks again...!

Singer/Songwriter Kevin Hewick finally opens the proceedings with a set of superb songs that connect instantly with the audience...They move closer toward the stage as the second song begins and I can tell Kevin is visibly moved.....The best that I have seen him play sums his performance up.....I love the 'interaction' with the crowd that he is so adept at doing......A great start...!

I must admit that I hadn't heard much Crispy Ambulance stuff before the gig but after witnessing this performance I am now a 'believer'...Praise the Lord!...(and Alan Hempsall..)They immediately sounded like they were 'going for it' and had an edge to their sound that surprised me....!...They seemed a little taken aback when they got an encore but they thoroughly deserved it...Personally,I just hope that they carry on after this gig...

Unfortunately,I missed most of The Names set because I was getting my 'shit-together' but what I heard sounded good also....They even did one of our choice of covers....'The Light Pours Out of Me'...Coincidence or what...?....

We hit the stage stumbling just like last time at Botanique in Belgium and cocked-up our first song....BUT we carried on until the end of the song, just like the troopers we are....Again, the set flew by and for the last song we were joined by Hooky for New Order's 'Temptation'.....It could have gone on for ever!....When it ended, we decided that it would be foolish to attempt to follow that, so we humbly declined an encore and let the night proceed until the early hours........!

Well done to everyone involved... I, for one, will never forget this night and the friends I made, and also the feeling of being part of something special......Thanks.

Had the chance to meet Ian after the Section 25 set and was great to listen to him chat about his early experiences with Factory. Nice fella too.

23 May 2008, 03:38

DVD released this week via LTM - features Hooky joining Section 25 for Temptation.

Will be able to relive the memories from last December!

:smoking:

12 Jun 2008, 07:03

Has anybody got this yet?

My copy arrived this week and in the usual LTM way it's a very professionally produced piece.

Included...shots of LeggyD in front of Hooky about to play with Section 25, visibly encouraging other Vikings to join him down the front in a football casual stylee. Watch it :nod:

An interesting extra is a Belgian TV interview with Annik Honore from 1981. The interview focuses on the Crespecule label, which AH ran with Michel Duval, and its involvement with the emerging arts scene in Brussels. Through interviews like this and other recent media generated by interest in Control/Plan K etc, it's becoming much clearer what an important role AH played out in that scene.

Maybe her dignified silence over the last 28 years has allowed others (like me) to form a false view and her contribution to remain understated. This interview helps to address this.

Also included on the DVD are shots of the many posters from early 80s gigs which lined the inner-walls of Plan K last December.

Oh, and the music's not bad either

All round, highly recommended.

12 Jun 2008, 08:40

Fame at last :rofl: