An exhibition in Hale Library in Manchester will feature previously unseen photographs of a seminal Joy Division gig at Bowden Vale
Youth Club back in 1979, three months before the release of the band's 'Unknown Pleasures' album. The exhibition, which will run from 3 - 7 May, marks the 25th Anniversary of singer
Ian Curtis' death.
The concert was only witnessed by about 150 teenagers. Photographer
Martin O'Neill was just 18 years old when the shots were taken.
He says "Frankly I can't remember too much, just being told to 'fuck off' by Peter Hook when I climbed on the stage and then being scared to death when Ian Curtis started dancing.
Beyond that the only other thing I remember was thinking **Stephen
Morris** is a really good drummer. It'll be interesting to see how many people claimed to be there on the night though. I'd really like to meet other people who genuinely were there, but this could end up a bit like the Sex Pistols at the Free Trade
Hall which everyone seems to claim to have witnessed."