Did anyone see the rather laughable and somewhat embarrasing attempt to commemorate Ian Curtis' death taking place at Moss Rose Stadium of all places?
Well, if you didnt, straight from the pages of Fuc 51...
Un-Convention Factory – 15th May, 2010
As part of a larger event called Unknown Pleasures, celebrating the life of Ian Curtis on the 30th anniversary of his death, Un-Convention has been commissioned to develop a very special version of the event.
In just one day 8 bands, 60 invited creatives and music industry professionals and 200 participants will embark on an experiment – to create, record and release a new record, while exploring the challenges, ideas and debates within the music industry.
The invited creatives and music industry professionals will be those at the cutting edge of music, from past and present. The participants will be anyone connected to music – from fans, to labels, to promoters to bands.
This is not a conventional conference. It is an event where the experienced connect with young talent and create a record, whilst debating and networking along the way.
Macclesfield Football Stadium will be transformed into a factory containing all the elements and processes involved in creating a record. Participants will be free to explore the factory, interact with the invited creatives and ultimately make all the decisions along the way.
At the end of the day, the record will be available for people to download, hear or buy (depending on what is decided by the participants). 8 new and un-conventional bands/collaborators will cover a track from Iggy Pop’s ‘The Idiot’ (the record Ian Curtis was listening to at the time of his death) and write a new track inspired by Joy Division/Ian Curtis. Each band will perform the songs, in front of an audience, while the songs are recorded for the album.
The stadium will be split into different areas – a graphic design studio, a performance and production area, a digital space, a mix studio and an idea/debate area. The graphic design studio will be occupied by designers, who, once given a brief on the day will produce a sleeve for the record. The digital space will be occupied by bloggers, new digital businesses (such as Music Glue, Sound Cloud and Spotify) and digital strategists who will all explore the best way to release and promote the record. The production area will have experienced producers who will record and mix the tracks.
The event will involve invited experienced participants such as Peter Saville, MPs, legendary record labels and some high profile bands.
Documentation
The whole process will be documented with podcasts and video and made available on the Un-Convention web hub after the event. We also have good links with BBC 6Music and expect they would broadcast live from the event – featuring the bands on the show.
IDEAS SPACE (capacity 300 people) – inspired by Ian Curtis and Factory Records:
9am – 9:30am
Introduction and keynote speech (Mike McNally, Andrew Dubber and Ruth Daniel). The session will address how the day will work, introduce the bands and talk about the idea behind the day.
10am – 11:15am
Music As Culture – ‘Some people make money and some make history’ Tony Wilson
Joy Division and Factory Records are inextricably linked. From the music, to the sleeve designs, to the look and imagery to the philosophy of both the band and the label and of course both had strong, identifiable front men in Ian Curtis and Tony Wilson.
Much has been said and written about Tony Wilson and Factory but it is undeniable that music was a passion for the founders, particularly music that originated in and around Manchester. While there is no doubt that they wanted the label to make money, or at least break even, history shows us this was not their primary concern.
As Dave Haslam has written 'They were never 'great businessmen' in the classic sense; they were flakey, inspiring, music enthusiasts who got entangled in the manacles of the business world'.
Both Joy Division and Factory however have left an indelible mark on music and popular culture in this country, the fact we are here today is tantamount to this. And it is this idea, that music is much more than merely an economic pursuit, that it is part of our culture, that we are interested in discussing.
Music as culture is not represented at any policy level and so important decisions are being made without consideration for the cultural aspect of music itself.
When commerce is the only consideration, we believe the cultural, social, intellectual and artistic life of the citizenry suffers. Innovation suffers and the creative economy is hamstrung as a result.
Panelists – Andrew Dubber (New Music Strategist), Jez Collins (Birmingham City Music Archive), Steve Lawson (Artist), Sion Simon (The Minister for Culture), Alan Erasmus (Factory Records), Jarvis Coker, Denis Jones.
11.15am – 11.45
Break and networking
11:45am – 1pm
Death of the Rock and Roll Star
Curtis was the classic rock and roll star. Years after his death, critics and fans continue to write and discuss at length Curtis's music, as well as possible motivations and inspirations for his work.
As websites like MySpace, Twitter and Facebook allow fans to connect directly with bands, is there room for the rock and roll star anymore?
Panelists: John Robb, Mark E Smith, Jon McClure, Guy Garvey (Elbow), Liam Frost, Al Farquhar, Sumit Bothra, Dave Bianchi
1pm – 2pm
Lunch and networking
2pm – 3.15pm
The Aesthetics of Music – a study of Factory Records
The panel will explore how a music scene or band can be defined through visual creative arts - such as video, sleeve art, fonts, images.
Increasingly finished recorded formats such as CD albums and singles play a decreasing role in the fan's engagement with a label. Artists/labels nowadays publish a steady stream of content (digital & physical) - things like blog posts, event flyers, videos, iPhone apps, t-shirts, posters etc. This panel will explore how Factory pioneered this rather unique catalogue approach and how artists/labels should take inspiration from that.
Panelists – Peter Saville (Factory), Mark Brown (Mark Brown Studios – record sleeve designer), Pedro Winter (Ed Banger Records), Chris Cunningham, Steve Beckett (Warp Records).
3.15pm – 3.45pm
Break and networking
3.45pm – 5pm
‘Successful DIYers’ – Something From Nothing
Case studies of the most innovative DIYers in the UK and internationally.
Moderator: Mike McNally (McNally Consulting), with Fabricio Nombre (Brazil), Vijay Nair (Only Much Louder, India), Martin Giraldo (Colombia) and Jay Taylor (The Ruby Lounge), Enter Shakari.
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE SPACE (capacity 50 people in each)
10am – 5pm
Recording, mixing and production process of 8 bands
Participants: Reverend and The Makers,
Producer: Youth
Engineer and space manager: Dan Thomas
DESIGN SPACE (capacity 40 people)
10am – 5pm
Design of album sleeve, posters and digital creative content for the website
Participants: Stanley Chow, Peter Saville, Mark Brown, (plus 4 young local students studying graphic design)
DIGITAL SPACE (capacity 60 people)
Upload area
An upload area, will be available for those documenting the event with flip of phone cameras to download content, that will immediately be available to view on the website.
Website and blog creation
Websites can be created on Macs during the event to promote the process and release.
Platforms
Music Glue, SoundCloud and BandCamp will have the opportunity to showcase their platforms and compete for the participants vote on which platform should be used to release the record.
Blogspot
This area will have 2 dedicated computers for bloggers to post their commentary on the event.
Roundtable Sessions
These sessions will define the release strategy for the record and will be presented as part of the closing session (6pm – 7pm). Each roundtable will have space for up to 15 participants to ensure constructive discussion. Participants can sign up to these sessions before the event on the website.
10am – 11.15am
Release strategy roundtable led by Mark Meharry, Music Glue – a sales/release strategy for the record
11.15am – 11.45am
Break and networking
11.45am – 1pm
Digital Marketing roundtable led by Karen Piper, Radar Maker – building the campaign.
1pm – 2pm
Lunch and networking
2pm – 3.15pm
International approaches led by Martin Giraldo, La Capsula (Colombia) – building international strategy. Participants: Fabricio Nombre, Lykle De Vries, Wolfgang Senges, Keith Wallang
3.15pm – 3.45pm
Break and networking
3.45pm – 5pm
Zero outlay marketing strategies led by Andrew Dubber, New Music Strategies.
CLOSING SESSION – IN IDEAS SPACE
5pm – 6pm
Break for participants
6pm – 7:30pm
Presenting the album, artwork and promotional campaign. Feedback from all sessions. Release of the album. Un-Convention Factory – 15th May, 2010
As part of a larger event called Unknown Pleasures, celebrating the life of Ian Curtis on the 30th anniversary of his death, Un-Convention has been commissioned to develop a very special version of the event.
In just one day 8 bands, 60 invited creatives and music industry professionals and 200 participants will embark on an experiment – to create, record and release a new record, while exploring the challenges, ideas and debates within the music industry.
The invited creatives and music industry professionals will be those at the cutting edge of music, from past and present. The participants will be anyone connected to music – from fans, to labels, to promoters to bands.
This is not a conventional conference. It is an event where the experienced connect with young talent and create a record, whilst debating and networking along the way.
Macclesfield Football Stadium will be transformed into a factory containing all the elements and processes involved in creating a record. Participants will be free to explore the factory, interact with the invited creatives and ultimately make all the decisions along the way.
At the end of the day, the record will be available for people to download, hear or buy (depending on what is decided by the participants). 8 new and un-conventional bands/collaborators will cover a track from Iggy Pop’s ‘The Idiot’ (the record Ian Curtis was listening to at the time of his death) and write a new track inspired by Joy Division/Ian Curtis. Each band will perform the songs, in front of an audience, while the songs are recorded for the album.
The stadium will be split into different areas – a graphic design studio, a performance and production area, a digital space, a mix studio and an idea/debate area. The graphic design studio will be occupied by designers, who, once given a brief on the day will produce a sleeve for the record. The digital space will be occupied by bloggers, new digital businesses (such as Music Glue, Sound Cloud and Spotify) and digital strategists who will all explore the best way to release and promote the record. The production area will have experienced producers who will record and mix the tracks.
The event will involve invited experienced participants such as Peter Saville, MPs, legendary record labels and some high profile bands.
Documentation
The whole process will be documented with podcasts and video and made available on the Un-Convention web hub after the event. We also have good links with BBC 6Music and expect they would broadcast live from the event – featuring the bands on the show.
IDEAS SPACE (capacity 300 people) – inspired by Ian Curtis and Factory Records:
9am – 9:30am Introduction and keynote speech (Mike McNally, Andrew Dubber and Ruth Daniel). The session will address how the day will work, introduce the bands and talk about the idea behind the day.
10am – 11:15am Music As Culture – ‘Some people make money and some make history’ Tony Wilson
Joy Division and Factory Records are inextricably linked. From the music, to the sleeve designs, to the look and imagery to the philosophy of both the band and the label and of course both had strong, identifiable front men in Ian Curtis and Tony Wilson.
Much has been said and written about Tony Wilson and Factory but it is undeniable that music was a passion for the founders, particularly music that originated in and around Manchester. While there is no doubt that they wanted the label to make money, or at least break even, history shows us this was not their primary concern.
As Dave Haslam has written 'They were never 'great businessmen' in the classic sense; they were flakey, inspiring, music enthusiasts who got entangled in the manacles of the business world'.
Both Joy Division and Factory however have left an indelible mark on music and popular culture in this country, the fact we are here today is tantamount to this. And it is this idea, that music is much more than merely an economic pursuit, that it is part of our culture, that we are interested in discussing.
Music as culture is not represented at any policy level and so important decisions are being made without consideration for the cultural aspect of music itself.
When commerce is the only consideration, we believe the cultural, social, intellectual and artistic life of the citizenry suffers. Innovation suffers and the creative economy is hamstrung as a result.
Panelists – Andrew Dubber (New Music Strategist), Jez Collins (Birmingham City Music Archive), Steve Lawson (Artist), Sion Simon (The Minister for Culture), Alan Erasmus (Factory Records), Jarvis Coker, Denis Jones.
11.15am – 11.45 Break and networking
11:45am – 1pm Death of the Rock and Roll Star
Curtis was the classic rock and roll star. Years after his death, critics and fans continue to write and discuss at length Curtis's music, as well as possible motivations and inspirations for his work.
As websites like MySpace, Twitter and Facebook allow fans to connect directly with bands, is there room for the rock and roll star anymore?
Panelists: John Robb, Mark E Smith, Jon McClure, Guy Garvey (Elbow), Liam Frost, Al Farquhar, Sumit Bothra, Dave Bianchi
1pm – 2pm Lunch and networking
2pm – 3.15pm The Aesthetics of Music – a study of Factory Records
The panel will explore how a music scene or band can be defined through visual creative arts - such as video, sleeve art, fonts, images.
Increasingly finished recorded formats such as CD albums and singles play a decreasing role in the fan's engagement with a label. Artists/labels nowadays publish a steady stream of content (digital & physical) - things like blog posts, event flyers, videos, iPhone apps, t-shirts, posters etc. This panel will explore how Factory pioneered this rather unique catalogue approach and how artists/labels should take inspiration from that.
Panelists – Peter Saville (Factory), Mark Brown (Mark Brown Studios – record sleeve designer), Pedro Winter (Ed Banger Records), Chris Cunningham, Steve Beckett (Warp Records).
3.15pm – 3.45pm Break and networking
3.45pm – 5pm ‘Successful DIYers’ – Something From Nothing
Case studies of the most innovative DIYers in the UK and internationally.
Moderator: Mike McNally (McNally Consulting), with Fabricio Nombre (Brazil), Vijay Nair (Only Much Louder, India), Martin Giraldo (Colombia) and Jay Taylor (The Ruby Lounge), Enter Shakari.
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE SPACE (capacity 50 people in each)
10am – 5pm Recording, mixing and production process of 8 bands
Participants: Reverend and The Makers, Producer: Youth Engineer and space manager: Dan Thomas
DESIGN SPACE (capacity 40 people)
10am – 5pm Design of album sleeve, posters and digital creative content for the website
Participants: Stanley Chow, Peter Saville, Mark Brown, (plus 4 young local students studying graphic design)
DIGITAL SPACE (capacity 60 people)
Upload area An upload area, will be available for those documenting the event with flip of phone cameras to download content, that will immediately be available to view on the website.
Website and blog creation Websites can be created on Macs during the event to promote the process and release.
Platforms Music Glue, SoundCloud and BandCamp will have the opportunity to showcase their platforms and compete for the participants vote on which platform should be used to release the record.
Blogspot This area will have 2 dedicated computers for bloggers to post their commentary on the event.
Roundtable Sessions These sessions will define the release strategy for the record and will be presented as part of the closing session (6pm – 7pm). Each roundtable will have space for up to 15 participants to ensure constructive discussion. Participants can sign up to these sessions before the event on the website.
10am – 11.15am Release strategy roundtable led by Mark Meharry, Music Glue – a sales/release strategy for the record
11.15am – 11.45am Break and networking
11.45am – 1pm Digital Marketing roundtable led by Karen Piper, Radar Maker – building the campaign.
1pm – 2pm Lunch and networking
2pm – 3.15pm International approaches led by Martin Giraldo, La Capsula (Colombia) – building international strategy. Participants: Fabricio Nombre, Lykle De Vries, Wolfgang Senges, Keith Wallang
3.15pm – 3.45pm Break and networking
3.45pm – 5pm Zero outlay marketing strategies led by Andrew Dubber, New Music Strategies.
CLOSING SESSION – IN IDEAS SPACE
5pm – 6pm Break for participants
6pm – 7:30pm Presenting the album, artwork and promotional campaign. Feedback from all sessions. Release of the album.
Hardcore
