Ah well, a bit of nice news now. As expected, the lovely Andy Rourke and the lovely Johnny Marr were reunited on stage for the first time in almost twenty years on Saturday night at that there Manchester Vs Cancer gig. Marr played Smiths classic 'There Is A Light' with is own band, The Healers, before inviting Rourke onstage for a rendition of 'How Soon Is Now', saying "I first played with this guy at school in 1978 and we last played together in 1987. We've done some good things and some not so good things, but it's been too long really and now is as good a time as ever."
The benefit gig also featured performances from Badly Drawn Boy, Stephen Fretwell, Elbow, Doves, Nine Black Alps, and New Order, whose entire set consisted of Joy Division songs. The event culminated in a grand finale where nearly all the musicians got back on stage for a rendition of The Happy Monday's 'Wrote For Luck' led by Shaun Ryder.
As previously reported, the concert was organised by Andy Rourke to raise funds for local cancer unit Christie's, after hearing that his manager's sister was affected by the illness.