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Joy Division, the Human League and the Killers....From Post-Punk to Present

For some, the '80s meant disposable music like Spandau Ballet and Rick Astley. For others, it meant punk’s ‘indie’ legacy of Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the legendary Hacienda nightclub and The Smiths – all huge influences o­n today’s music scene.

Now a unique o­ne-day conference and performance event at the University of Leeds will look afresh at why the alternative music scene and youth culture of the 1980s still resonates. It features an eclectic mix of academic debate, world class journalism, a film premier, poetry, comedy, and DJs and musical performance.
   
‘Post-Punk Performance: the alternative ‘80s in Britain’ will be held o­n 9th September and brings together an array of influential academics, journalists and musicians.
 
Featured speakers include journalist, author and TV presenter Paul Morley; Hacienda DJ and author of the iconic ‘Madchester’ Dave Haslam; and John Robb, the Manchester-based performer and author of the must-read ‘Punk Rock: an oral history’.

Legendary punk poet John Cooper Clarke will headline the evening event.

Dr Philip Kiszely, lecturer in the University’s School of Performance and Cultural Industries and event organiser, said: “The 1980s ‘indie’ scene emerged from the ruins of punk and set itself against the banality of mainstream culture. It centred o­n music, and for an increasingly politicised and self-aware generation of young people it was synonymous with identity and self-expression.

“This conference will look at the enduring influence of figures like Morrissey and bands like the Stone Roses, but will also consider how post-punk culture has impacted o­n television, film, theatre and performance.

“We’re thrilled to be able to present absolute leaders in the field like Paul Morley, and look forward to our featured speakers swapping stories and ideas with the public during the evening event.”

In the daytime sessions, Paul Morley, Dave Haslam and John Robb will appear alongside academics, scholars, musicians and other partners to exchange views and offer perspectives o­n the post-punk era and beyond. This framework will offer opportunities to bring together people from academia and industry, facilitating networking and discussion.

From 6pm until 2am, there is an evening of post-punk film and performance which is open to the public. A film, Pardon us for living but the graveyard is full will be premiered at Stage@Leeds, the University’s new theatre complex. John Cooper Clarke and the comedian Frankie Sidebottom will appear at the ‘Mine’ nightclub.

A full programme of events is available at: enquiries-pci@leeds.ac.uk

The event is organised by Alice Bayliss and Dr Philip Kiszely of the School of Performance and Cultural Industries in the University’s Faculty of Performance and Visual Arts and Communications.