Factory Records microfest with Section 25

Event information

This is an evening celebrating the legendary Manchester label Factory Records.

There will be archival film footage relating to the label from 6pm shown on the Continental cinema screen from 8pm, followed by sets from Factory Records acts, Kevin Hewick, X-O-Dus and Blackpool's Section 25.

A triple bill featuring three of the iconic Manchester label Factory Records' original signings and rarer sonic delights: X.O.Dus, Section 25 and Kevin Hewick.

X.O.Dus

Best known for their 1980 Factory dub single English Black Boys (produced by Denis Bovell), X.O.Dus are a Manchester roots reggae band founded by members from Hulme and Moss Side. Formed in the mid 1970s by brothers Honey and Leddy Ricketts, along with Trevor Bell and Dave Reid, X.O.Dus aimed to play a more political/progressive style of re
ggae, fresh, young and British. Talent spotted by Joy Division manager Rob Gretton, they were the sole reggae band to work with Factory. Now back together following the release of archive CD album English Black Boys.

“One of the most remarkable chapters in British reggae history'” The Wire

Section 25

Formed in Blackpool by brothers Larry and Vin Cassidy in 1978, Section 25 were initially mentored by Joy Division, and went on to record four albums with Factory. Now recognized as a leading genre band, three Section 25 tracks were included in the recent Warners box set Factory Records: Communications 1978-1992, with From The Hip lauded as one of '1000 albums to hear before you die'. "Sounds resolutely modern even now, like the precursor of house and techno. From the Hip is the group's masterpiece" (The Wire)

Kevin Hewick

This special night will also include a set by Leicester singer/songwriter Kevin Hewick. An early creative spoke in the Factory wheel, championed by Tony Wilson, Hewick contributed to the Factory Quartet double album in 1980, and also recorded with members of Joy Division/New Order.